Crazy Transit Pitches (Maine Edition)

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I really wonder if BRT implementation in Portland would be a catalyst for other, larger NE cities (Worcester, New Haven, etc) to start their own BRT projects. If a little Maine city of 67,000 people could do it, why couldn't 185,000 Worcester do it? I know the completion of the CT Fastrack in Hartford got Springfield (which is only 20 or so miles north) studying BRT corridors on State Street/Boston Road.
 
Hubman said:
I know the completion of the CT Fastrack in Hartford got Springfield (which is only 20 or so miles north) studying BRT corridors on State Street/Boston Road.
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In spite of itself. The cost overruns and corruption on CTFastrak alone could've had a chilling effect on BRT nationwide if it didn't (somewhat) surprise on initial ridership. And I would only call that one *metastable*, because if the NEC FUTURE study had given more serious thought to Midland HSR via Hartford (i.e. what CT pols actually dearly want instead of the I-95 HSR route) the public would become way better acquainted with how Amtrak completely bent over and robbed ConnDOT blind on the lease terms for co-running on the Springfield Line ROW, and how ex-Gov. Malloy rammed it through bang-bang to escape scrutiny over just how bad the deal was. The lease is revokable at-will and without penalty by Amtrak...which means if they ever need to insert Track 3 for any reason whatsoever the Fastrack busway gets instantly evicted over half of its total length, infrastructure bulldozed in the process. Generally terrible all-around precedent, even though right now it's working more or less as intended. 25 years from now...your guess on whether future needs force a pickle.
 
www.pressherald.com

Proposal to extend passenger rail to Bangor advances in Legislature

Major questions remain about the project, though, such as its cost and its environmental impact.
www.pressherald.com www.pressherald.com

Legislative bill funding feasibility study of Downeaster extension to Bangor via Brunswick/Augusta makes it out of committee by unanimous vote, now to be voted on by both Houses soon with favorable odds of passage. I know it's a self-reinforcing meme that MEDOT luvs doing studies about studies...but this will be the first actual attempt at benchmarking planning-useful demand numbers for a schedule that links Gardiner, Augusta, Waterville, Pittsfield and/or Newport, and Bangor with destinations on the rest of the corridor. Way more actionable info than a TRNE flak in front of a public meeting open mic pulling adjectives excitedly out of his ass.
 
👏 F-Line to Dudley for President (of NNEPRA)! 👏
 
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