Q&A talks about the recent expansion of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line with Kevin Nursick, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation.
Q: There’s obviously an immediate economic impact from the state spending $58.8 million to build three new rail stations between Hartford and Springfield. But has the state researched or projected a number for the long-term impact from enhanced rail service? What will it mean for Meriden, Berlin and Wallingford to have new stations?
A: Increased and convenient service is an incentive for people to live, and for businesses to locate near the stations. This would allow a person living near the station in Meriden, for instance, to take advantage of jobs in New Haven, Hartford, or Stamford without being dependent on a car. Meriden already has a developer who is getting ready to construct higher density housing near the station. With more people living near the station who are less dependent on driving, retail, restaurants, markets and commercial development will follow allowing communities to construct livable and walkable downtown areas that can grow without the normally associated traffic problems.
Q: The rail line is supposed to be a catalyst for transit-oriented development, including creating new opportunities for businesses to access expanded markets. How does increased rail service accomplish this?
A: On the business side, a business owner can locate in Hartford and conveniently travel to New Haven, Stamford, New York, and in the future Boston without remaining overnight. The service has the potential to tie the Boston, Hartford, New Haven, New York corridor together so it acts like a single metropolitan area.
Q: The plan is to increase rail service daily from six to 17 trains between New Haven and Hartford with up to 12 trains continuing north to Springfield. Will new trains need to be ordered? If so, how does this impact spending on Metro North upgrades?
A: The M8 cars that the state Department of Transpiration (CTDOT) recently put in to service will begin operating the Shore Line East (SLE) Service, which will allow the current SLE equipment to operate the Hartford Line Service. CTDOT is planning to purchase new equipment for the Hartford Line Service before the service life expires on the existing SLE diesel equipment.
Q: What type of ridership increase is expected with the increased service? Will parking be sufficient?
A: With service increasing by two to three times, we expect an increase in ridership from the current 300,000 passengers per year to 750,000 per year. Once the service is completely built out with 25 round trip trains per day, ridership will be well over a million. Each new station on the line will include 200-350 new spaces, which should be sufficient for the foreseeable future. We hope to take advantage of a growing trend of people living closer to mass transit, which will mitigate the need for additional parking in the future.
Q: What impact will falling gas prices have on projected ridership? Will lower prices make people less willing to give up the convenience of automobiles?
A: Although there are slight fluctuations in ridership due to the price of gas, ridership is much more responsive to the frequency and convenience of the service. With the younger workforce deciding to live in higher density housing and walkable communities that are closer to transit, we see ridership growing regardless of the price of gas.
Q: Where does Bradley International Airport fit into the rail plans between Hartford and Springfield? It seems as if it would need to be a component for increased ridership. Will a shuttle bus appeal to people hauling luggage?
A: Currently most travelers at Bradley park in satellite lots and have to transfer luggage to a shuttle anyway. If the shuttle is convenient and offers quality service it should not discourage Bradley customers from using the service.
