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There are a few issues with getting these train stations built though: A. The state of Rhode Island currently reimburses the MBTA for all operating expenses so

by rchowe 10y ago

There are a few issues with getting these train stations built though: A. The state of Rhode Island currently reimburses the MBTA for all operating expenses south of the RI/MA state line, and they just funded a commuter rail extension south of Providence to attract intra-RI commuters to take transit to Providence instead of driving. However, even providing incentives such as free parking, ridership at these stations has pretty drastically missed expectations [1], and the trains are scheduled to take the same time as the bus takes in rush hour traffic. The commuting situation/parking isn't bad enough in RI like Boston or New York to make the train obviously beneficial time/money wise, when you lose schedule flexibility of when you can go to/leave work. B. The site of the proposed train station only has two passenger tracks and is located in a high speed (125 MPH or 150 MPH) zone. Starting service to the station is not as simple as just refinishing it and having trains stop there: Amtrak (which owns the tracks) would probably insist that the state of Rhode Island quad-track through the station so that its trains can pass a stopped commuter train. C. It's difficult to get transit projects funded near state borders, because of the mindset of "we paid for it and they all go work in the other state!". Providence is a pretty fast-growing city, so it's possible that in 5 to 10 years the traffic situation makes a much more compelling case for people to make use of transit, but additional commuter rail service there is a kind of hard sell. [1] http://wpri.com/2015/05/18/south-county-rail-ridership-far-short-of-expectations-may15/ http://wpri.com/2015/05/18/south-county-rail-ridership-far-s...

ams6110 10y ago
You would only need to add a third track, since traffic will be predominatntly inbound in the morning and outbound in the evening. That's how Chicago does it. Express trains on the center track, locals on the outer. That said, even adding a third track is a substantial investment.
- rchowe 10y ago
  Yeah, I guessed on that one. They may be able to use the third freight track that already passes through the station for that. The reason I said four is because there actually are just as many southbound commuter trains as northbound commuter trains at rush hour [1], since most of the trains stay overnight in Boston. The Amtrak trains are mostly southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening though. It depends on what Amtrak's mathematicians decide, including whether electrifying the track is worth it. [1] http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Commuter_Rail/providence.pdf?led=5/23/2016%208:09:11%20AM http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Ma...

by rchowe 10y ago

ams6110 10y ago

You would only need to add a third track, since traffic will be predominatntly inbound in the morning and outbound in the evening. That's how Chicago does it. Express trains on the center track, locals on the outer. That said, even adding a third track is a substantial investment.

rchowe 10y ago
Yeah, I guessed on that one. They may be able to use the third freight track that already passes through the station for that. The reason I said four is because there actually are just as many southbound commuter trains as northbound commuter trains at rush hour [1], since most of the trains stay overnight in Boston. The Amtrak trains are mostly southbound in the morning and northbound in the evening though. It depends on what Amtrak's mathematicians decide, including whether electrifying the track is worth it. [1] http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Maps/Commuter_Rail/providence.pdf?led=5/23/2016%208:09:11%20AM http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/Documents/Schedules_and_Ma...