Downeaster Needs Maine Money To Survive (Lewiston, Augusta: sales, how much, wages)

[flycessna]

It looks like Maine will have fund the Down Easter 8-10 million a year to keep it going. The feds money has run out and NH, of course, still does not want to fund any mony to it. I say if Maine decides to fund this alone, then they should get rid of the stops in NH, maybe only going south .They could cut the trip time down.

WCSH6.com - Downeaster Needs Maine Money To Survive (broken link)

What do you all think of this?

My wifes granfather told me that when he moved to Maine in 1949-50. He and his wife took the train from Boston to Lewiston and it took only 2 hrs, WITH STOPS!! You have imagine, that to drive that back then probably took 4 hours.

I am a huge proponent of public transportation and I do support investment in it. I'd love to see the kind of high speed trains that europe and japan have, here! But I doubt I'll see it in my life time .

[Nor'Eastah]

There are a lot of good public projects and services that deserve public support. Unfortunately, right now so many states and municipalities are cash-strapped. The public seems to be over-taxed and stressed from high oil and food prices. Wages have not kept up with inflation. People and governments need to cut back.

This will be just another public service that may not get funded until the economy turns around, IMHO. Another day, another chance.

[dmyankee]

Another subsidy for Southern Maine.

[flycessna]

Well, I agree, I do not want to see more taxes!

I'd like to see the state move some of the Millions and Millions of dollars they spend on social programs that do nothing but create a giant vacume in the state, and invest in Maine's future. A high speed train to Boston could encourage a lot of highly educated workers to move to Maine and enjoy our quality of life but still work in Ma. Eventually...maybe business would start to move to Maine to take advantage of our demographics.

I know its a pipe dream....but the way this state is managed...my prediction is Maine convinces NH to invest one million while Maine picks up the rest 8-9 million. And Maine continues to blow millions on social programs and continues to raise our taxes. No way Maine lets this fall by the waist side....at least thats my prediciton anyways

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Well, I agree, I do not want to see more taxes!

I'd like to see the state move some of the Millions and Millions of dollars they spend on social programs that do nothing but create a giant vacume in the state, and invest in Maine's future. A high speed train to Boston could encourage a lot of highly educated workers to move to Maine and enjoy our quality of life but still work in Ma. Eventually...maybe business would start to move to Maine to take advantage of our demographics.

I know its a pipe dream....but the way this state is managed...my prediction is Maine convinces NH to invest one million while Maine picks up the rest 8-9 million. And Maine continues to blow millions on social programs and continues to raise our taxes. No way Maine lets this fall by the waist side....at least thats my prediciton anyways

I couldn't agree more flycessna! This State doles out money to the unproductive like water. I have practically begged my representatives to take the time and go through the welfare programs of this State and weed out all of the muck and mire and perhaps keep only the most essential. If you want people to work don't give them the means to live for free. In a time where fuel is causing massive problems with transportation and the moving of food and other goods not funding the train to Boston seems pretty silly. We need desperately to get the liberals out of Augusta and do away with all of the nanny state social programs no matter what it costs a candidate politically. It's not supposed to be a popularity contest or permanent career. We need to send people with a specific job in mind to get things done and elect a Governor who will get out of their way.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by flycessna

I'd like to see the state move some of the Millions and Millions of dollars they spend on social programs that do nothing but create a giant vacume in the state, and invest in Maine's future.

Agreed - excellent idea.

Originally Posted by flycessna

A high speed train to Boston could encourage a lot of highly educated workers to move to Maine and enjoy our quality of life but still work in Ma.

Yes, and those who are earning higher wages working in Boston should be able to pay for train transportation without any "subsidies". I commute to my work, as does my wife, paying high gas prices, and no one is subsidizing our commute. We pay for it out of our pockets, because the higher wages in the city make it worth our while to get there. Free-market capitalism. Dirty words, I guess!

[BacktoNE]

Originally Posted by flycessna

Well, I agree, I do not want to see more taxes!

I'd like to see the state move some of the Millions and Millions of dollars they spend on social programs that do nothing but create a giant vacume in the state, and invest in Maine's future. A high speed train to Boston could encourage a lot of highly educated workers to move to Maine and enjoy our quality of life but still work in Ma. Eventually...maybe business would start to move to Maine to take advantage of our demographics.

I know its a pipe dream....but the way this state is managed...my prediction is Maine convinces NH to invest one million while Maine picks up the rest 8-9 million. And Maine continues to blow millions on social programs and continues to raise our taxes. No way Maine lets this fall by the waist side....at least thats my prediciton anyways

I agree 100%!!!!

[forest beekeeper]

Before seeing this thread, I was not aware that Southern Maine / NH / Mass even has such public service.

I find this portion of the article telling:

Despite its success, the Downeaster will never make money. Ticket sales cannot keep up with operating costs and federal money used to subsidize the service dries up next June.

Since the service was a Maine initiative, the state is solely responsible for funding it, even though people in New Hampshire and Masschusetts benefit from it as well.

[bignhfamily]

Only a very small amount of people in NH have easy access to this train service. It runs up our coast which, as you know, is tiny. If it ran through my area, I would support it - but that will never happen.

[bringselpup]

Originally Posted by bignhfamily

Only a very small amount of people in NH have easy access to this train service. It runs up our coast which, as you know, is tiny. If it ran through my area, I would support it - but that will never happen.

A good point. Although of the 10 stops it makes 3 are MA, 3 are NH, and 4 in ME.

I am extremely surprised it doesn't go further north and wonder how much more benefit it would provide to Maines economy if it did.