DrToadley

DrToadley OP t1_j6oe8nh wrote

Reply to comment by Corey307 in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

Whoa there. My advocacy for scary things like bike lanes and improved bus service does not imply turning Vermont into Amsterdam overnight and forcing everyone to throw their cars out. I just think that providing people with more options, including a modestly improved rail system that doesn't only go to Burlington from New York City, some more bike lanes in town centers, and better-advertised buses would be worth looking into.

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DrToadley OP t1_j6lah3s wrote

Reply to comment by Dr_L_Church in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

Looks like we have a lot of work to do before a lot of these lines are feasible. Thank you for that reality check! I think we need to focus on the lines which would be obviously sound economic investments (Montreal to Boston being #1). However, I also don't want to dream too small, either, especially in a theoretical Reddit thread.

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DrToadley OP t1_j6l9dvh wrote

Reply to comment by SkiingAway in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

Very well-reasoned and realistic thinking. I do believe with the right frequency and really good branding, buses could be more successful in Vermont, which could bring more trains.

Really, I believe what it comes down to is that I think Vermont needs to start seriously building lots and lots of high-density housing in its cities and major town centers NOW. No more single-family housing - way too cost-ineffective and bad for the environment. The state is uniquely situated to be far ahead of the curve on the climate crisis, and if it had ample housing, it could see both a huge population and economic boom with tons of benefits for all of its current residents. Then, connect it all via trains - boom, now we've maintained all of the state's natural beauty and made it more livable while everywhere else will be struggling (although they could do the same thing...). This I do believe to be the real pipe dream, though.

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DrToadley OP t1_j6l55tj wrote

Reply to comment by helios_the_powerful in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

I'm really hopeful WRJ to Concord happens because it would both be the most direct route between Montreal/Burlington and Boston as well as hitting the most number of smaller cities along the way. Going through Maine or western Massachusetts would be slow and would also not serve communities which are presently poorly served by rail. Of all that this map proposes, I'm most hopeful that that line is built someday. Heck, build it in the I-89 median to avoid right-of-way problems - I know interstate median rail isn't ideal but if it gets it to happen, it's better than nothing.

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DrToadley OP t1_j6ktut0 wrote

Reply to comment by greenmtnfiddler in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

Generally, for trains, "if you build it, they will come" seems to apply. In my opinion, improving buses (and mostly making people aware of how and when buses are actually running - most of the problem with buses is the advertising and ease of use) and certainly increasing bike lanes will be the most cost-effective. However, I definitely need to get more involved in the planning aspect!

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DrToadley OP t1_j6ktl2y wrote

Reply to comment by greenmtnfiddler in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

BF/Rut largely exists but needs upgrades. Rut/WRJ does not exist and would be very difficult to implement, but the corridor frankly sucks by car and so I really wish we did have the funds to make it happen. Albany to Concord carries the same reasoning as Rutland to WRJ - it's difficult to get from west to east in New England. Those lines would be more long-term...

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DrToadley OP t1_j6ktbid wrote

Reply to comment by SkiingAway in My proposal for near-future inter-town/city passenger rail expansions in Vermont! (MAP) by DrToadley

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. As someone who both enjoys trains and wants to see them (and Vermont) thrive, my foremost goal is to improve upon what we have so far, and part of the reason why I put my idea out into the world in the first place is so I could understand its shortcomings. Your criticisms make a lot of sense. I just hope that people in Vermont aren't too afraid to dream a little bigger when it comes to transit.

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