I like the look of it and the notion behind it. It will come down, as so many projects do these days, to transporation issues.
Without question, NB should build a commuter rail stop at Market Street (didn't there used to be one there - or at least one for cattle to be loaded onto trains?) as part of this development - what a boon that could be for an area that is not particularly well served by public transit (of the non-bus type).
This could really enhance that that whole area, which I have long thought was a bit underdeveloped.
There are as many bus trips per *hour* on the combined 64 and 86 as there are commuter rail trips *all day* at the stops along the Mass Pike in Newton.
My ballpark estimate for the cost of a new Commuter Rail station: $50 million. That would provide a heck of a lot of bus service.
My implication is that the site is effectively not served by transit, at all.
Although, the exodus of CSX and most freight should open up the line for added passenger service, what's really needed is electrification and a commitment to (relatively) high frequency, short-turn service on the urban sections of track.
But there doesn't seem to be any examples of successful use of European-style DMUs here in the states. FRA-compliant DMUs are far too heavy, on top of the fact that DMUs are pretty bad compared to EMUs. Misguided FRA regulations are a real problem. We do have lots of examples of FRA-compliant EMUs that do OK.
Maybe things will change, it's still too soon to tell.
If the FRA can change, maybe so can the MBTA?
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Cautious Optimism on NB
I like the look of it and the notion behind it. It will come down, as so many projects do these days, to transporation issues.
Without question, NB should build a commuter rail stop at Market Street (didn't there used to be one there - or at least one for cattle to be loaded onto trains?) as part of this development - what a boon that could be for an area that is not particularly well served by public transit (of the non-bus type).
This could really enhance that that whole area, which I have long thought was a bit underdeveloped.
My only complaint...
Is I don't see where the boarding pier is going to be located so that I can get access to all of the amenities on that cruise ship in the picture.
It ain't served by bus either
Unless you count the pathetic frequencies of the 64, 86.
There were stops at Cambridge St, Faneuil and Newton Corner. I'm guessing you're thinking Faneuil.
There was a Brighton station
There was a Brighton station too on the B&A.
There are as many bus trips
There are as many bus trips per *hour* on the combined 64 and 86 as there are commuter rail trips *all day* at the stops along the Mass Pike in Newton.
My ballpark estimate for the cost of a new Commuter Rail station: $50 million. That would provide a heck of a lot of bus service.
Not saying the commuter rail is better
My implication is that the site is effectively not served by transit, at all.
Although, the exodus of CSX and most freight should open up the line for added passenger service, what's really needed is electrification and a commitment to (relatively) high frequency, short-turn service on the urban sections of track.
Maybe something to think about by the year 2112.
That is an excellent idea. It
That is an excellent idea.
It wouldn't even need electrification, since existing mass-produced European self-propelled diesel cars could do the job.
That might require a waiver from the FRA. But the biggest obstacle is changing the mindset of T management.
I would agree
But there doesn't seem to be any examples of successful use of European-style DMUs here in the states. FRA-compliant DMUs are far too heavy, on top of the fact that DMUs are pretty bad compared to EMUs. Misguided FRA regulations are a real problem. We do have lots of examples of FRA-compliant EMUs that do OK.
Maybe things will change, it's still too soon to tell.
If the FRA can change, maybe so can the MBTA?