[JayCT]

Delta is adding direct flights between Bradley and LaGuardia. This opens up a lot of connecting flights to Connecticut residents. Nice addition. Jay

https://westfaironline.com/148826/de...and-laguardia/

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Delta is adding direct flights between Bradley and LaGuardia. This opens up a lot of connecting flights to Connecticut residents. Nice addition. Jay

https://westfaironline.com/148826/de...and-laguardia/

Direct flights? I would hope so

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by SteveM85

Direct flights? I would hope so

Layover in Westchester.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

If you look closely at these reports you will see that a lot of the problems are “legacy infrastructure” issues. These are things like railway geometry, bridge, and drainage issues. These aren’t common maintenance issues. They go beyond that and require complete replacement/reconstruction of the line. That would cost a lot of money.

Yes, you can throw money at it but the state can’t fairly devote all its resources to just one line. Remember that the money for transportation comes from residents across the entire state, not just Fairfield or western New Haven counties. It’s not fair if the state put all its transportation dollars to the New Haven line and that is what it would take (likely even more). It’s a matter of using tax dollars where they benefit the most taxpayers. Jay

Yes, but with 10x the ridership of the other lines combined, they should have 10x the funding - including when ticket sales are factored in, which multiplies the funding even more so.

I'm OK with maintaining branch lines, I just don't see the need to transform them. NH line needs major track work to regain olden days speeds. One idea I do like is connecting Danbury to Southeast. That's practical. I lived in the Danbury area for years and NEVER took that train to NYC.

[mdovell]

Whatever happened to the talk of a shuttle to Bradley off of ct rail?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Yes, but with 10x the ridership of the other lines combined, they should have 10x the funding - including when ticket sales are factored in, which multiplies the funding even more so.

I'm OK with maintaining branch lines, I just don't see the need to transform them. NH line needs major track work to regain olden days speeds. One idea I do like is connecting Danbury to Southeast. That's practical. I lived in the Danbury area for years and NEVER took that train to NYC.

That would be fine if the New Haven line paid for itself but it doesn’t. It relies on a significant subsidy from taxpayers from all over the state. It’s not fair to expect them to pay millions so riders on the New Haven Line pay less for their tickets.

The reason for making improvements on the branch lines are many. Better service on them means economic development in towns along the lines. It also opens up more affordable housing options to lower Fairfield County. And as you know, it sure needs that. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Whatever happened to the talk of a shuttle to Bradley off of ct rail?

That’s a long way off. Jay

[norcal2k19]

Originally Posted by JayCT

That would be fine if the New Haven line paid for itself but it doesn’t. It relies on a significant subsidy from taxpayers from all over the state. It’s not fair to expect them to pay millions so riders on the New Haven Line pay less for their tickets.

The reason for making improvements on the branch lines are many. Better service on them means economic development in towns along the lines. It also opens up more affordable housing options to lower Fairfield County. And as you know, it sure needs that. Jay

That subsidy is worth it, in my view, given the wide range of employers and businesses based along the New Haven Line. There isn't another rail line in this state that compares to that in terms of connectivity and economic activity. Without the New Haven Line, our state will have even more fiscal pressure on its budget and economy.

With that said, I firmly believe we can walk and chew gum at the same time with developing the branch lines - which is currently happening (Danbury, Waterbury, SLE Electrification, and hopefully a link to Bradley Int'l).

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

That would be fine if the New Haven line paid for itself but it doesn’t. It relies on a significant subsidy from taxpayers from all over the state. It’s not fair to expect them to pay millions so riders on the New Haven Line pay less for their tickets.

Not suggesting a fare reduction at all. And as we can see from the chart, the subsidy per passenger on the main line is MUCH less than the branch lines. Just saying, it deserves the most investment.

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Not suggesting a fare reduction at all. And as we can see from the chart, the subsidy per passenger on the main line is MUCH less than the branch lines. Just saying, it deserves the most investment.

IMO it is long overdue to set deadlines for ridership targets on Shoreline East, with giant increases in fares if not met. If the subsidy percentage fails to look less absurd even then, wind it down. At the ridership/subsidy level so far, it is a failure.