Steve Zind, host. Guests: Peter Griffin, pres, N.H. Railroad Revitalization Ass'n., and Robert Sculley, pres, N.H. Motor Transport (Trucks) Ass'n:
Host: Once railroads were central to our everyday lives, but they were replaced by highways. Now highways are experiencing problems of safety and congestion; communities sprawl development and pollution. Is it time to reconsider rail? And will people use rail if it is provided? Or is rail just too expensive?
Presently there are four proposed railroad revitalization proposals impacting N.H:
Sculley: Two types of folks are pushing to bring back rail; nostalgia buffs and environmentalists. In the 1950s Americans fell in love with the automobile, they wanted to come and go as they please. No sign of this changing. Rail is too costly! Just to reopen the Conc/WRJct Line will cost $100M.
Griffin: You've got to apply the same funding (subsidy) formula to highways as to rail and other modes. The huge success of a revitalized Old Colony commuter rail line south from Boston proves people will ride trains. This has provided an alternative to the Rte. 3 SE Expressway with drivers taking advantage of it. Both Maine and Vermont are diversifying their transportation systems. VT. spent more on rail this year than on its highways.
Sculley: The bus is a far more viable solution to mass transit needs -- more flexible routes and schedules. It's "a natural first step" toward improving transportation in the state. There are 100,000 vehicles per day traveling from Manchester to Salem, N.H., rail would only remove 1,000 of these. There just isn't any demand for rail, our region is not populous enough.
Griffin: From south of Concord to the state line has now become a suburb of Boston. The need is there.
Host: What about the rise in gasoline prices? Does this make rail more attractive?
Sculley: During the gasoline crunch of the 1970s car owners sought greater efficiencies; more gas-efficient cars, carpooling, etc. High gasoline prices are here to stay.
Griffin: Remember we are not just talking of commuter and inter-city rail but tourism and freight as well. New England is a prime tourist destination.
Caller: With so many trucks on the highway are they as safe? Aren't trains safer? I ride my horse along an abandoned RR right-of-way. Hasn't the auto industry crowded out the railroad industry?
Sculley: Ref. to yesterday's Amtrak crash in CA.
Caller: I have children in Exeter. Are they safe from the tracks that run right by my house?
Griffin: RR property is private so everyone should stay off. Like the highways, teach kids not to go near. Trains won't be going through Exeter at 79 mph!
Caller: I have been hearing about the return of trains for so many years. Will they ever come?
Sculley: Truckers are the RRs biggest customers. If businesses are not in any hurry they should ship by rail.
Caller: Wouldn't it make far more sense to subsidize bus service instead of rail which requires so much costly infrastructure? Carpooling lots already in place, etc.
Griffin: All modes are now being subsidized.
Sculley: But there are degrees of subsidy. Your average trucker pays $6-7000 annually to use the highway system. Highway funds should stay in a special fund as per Art. 6A of the N.H. Constitution. Right now only 62 cents of every Highway Trust Fund dollar is actually going to highways.
Caller: I recently took the Vermonter to New Haven. If there were more trains like this more people would ride.
Griffin: N.H. is having an excruciatingly difficult time coming up with funds to match fed RR dollars.
Caller: There is a basic human desire to own an automobile. This is why (Senator) Bob Smith is trying to fast track the I-93 widening. As for high-speed rail from Boston to Montreal, no one wants or needs it.
Caller: Travel agent in Newbury on Lake Sunapee. Vermonter sales are up. And tourists want to come into this area by train.
Caller: N.H. tried commuter rail from Concord into Boston under the Gallen administration. It was a flop. So what's changed?
Griffin: That train had a rider-hostile schedule and was doomed to fail. But ridership was actually starting to climb when the federal funds ran out.
Caller: Are people really in love with their cars, or is it mobility they seek? If you like a transportation project it is an "investment" but if you oppose it, it becomes a "subsidy."
Griffin: People ultimately will want choices of transportation mode. Will be good for the state's economy.
Sculley: America will continue down the path of highways.
<Malcolm T Taylor [northeastnews@juno.com] December 08, 2000 12:30 PM>
