The "T" in RI? Has Agenda 21 arrived in the Ocean State or what? (Providence: how much, homes)

[emilybh]

WOW you guys! Did Rhode Islanders get to vote on the "T" that now goes down to Wickford and up through Warwick and the airport to Providence and then to Boston or is this part of "sustainable development" A.K.A. Agenda 21 in the Ocean State? http://www.dot.ri.gov/

How many Rhode Islanders were forced to give up their homes and sell them for less than they were worth to accommodate this project?

This is what "green" means. It is what "sustainable development" is and Agenda 21. It means the government and the special interests (companies involved in the construction) make the $GREEN while the people get squeezed and end up paying for projects like this whether they want then or need them or not. Meanwhile their standard of living is lowered if they aren't forced to give up their land.

Isn't it odd that a state that is in such dire financial straits as RI with roads needing to be supported with temporary framing to make them drivable http://www.dot.ri.gov/img/content/br...20Rte%202.jpeg still decides to help itself to taxpayers $$$ without their consent and build new infrastructure that is totally unnecessary ... a whole fancy new rail system?

According to the article on the DOT website there was a $33 Million Federal Grant to help pay for it. Then to travel a 15 mile distance or so from Wickford to the airport they are charging $2.25 which is well over what it would cost to pay for gas to drive that distance. On top of that only 2000 people a day use it. What a waste!

State of Rhode Island: Department of Transportation:

[DarkWolf]

The State is very congested in the North , so a Rail system is badly needed. Its not that expensive to run a system compared to Roads... As for Density , RI has always been dense along with the rest of New England and the Northeast its just how we live up here. It has nothing to do with Agenda 21. Alot of towns can be traced back to the 1800s. As far as Ocean staters being forced out of thier homes , None. The State Rail network will use old ROWs preserved for future use. The T system full build out will be used by close to 300,000 when completed...in 2030 and service every large town in RI.

[Saltatrix]

Got any facts to back up your comments? Usually the land around a new transit station goes way up in value. It's called economic development and investment for the future. In case you didn't know since you're from out of state, the train tracks in Wickford have always been in existence.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by emilybh

WOW you guys! Did Rhode Islanders get to vote on the "T" that now goes down to Wickford and up through Warwick and the airport to Providence and then to Boston or is this part of "sustainable development" A.K.A. Agenda 21 in the Ocean State? State of Rhode Island: Department of Transportation: RIDOT Home Page

How many Rhode Islanders were forced to give up their homes and sell them for less than they were worth to accommodate this project?

This is what "green" means. It is what "sustainable development" is and Agenda 21. It means the government and the special interests (companies involved in the construction) make the $GREEN while the people get squeezed and end up paying for projects like this whether they want then or need them or not. Meanwhile their standard of living is lowered if they aren't forced to give up their land.

Isn't it odd that a state that is in such dire financial straits as RI with roads needing to be supported with temporary framing to make them drivable http://www.dot.ri.gov/img/content/br...20Rte%202.jpeg still decides to help itself to taxpayers $$$ without their consent and build new infrastructure that is totally unnecessary ... a whole fancy new rail system?

According to the article on the DOT website there was a $33 Million Federal Grant to help pay for it. Then to travel a 15 mile distance or so from Wickford to the airport they are charging $2.25 which is well over what it would cost to pay for gas to drive that distance. On top of that only 2000 people a day use it. What a waste!

State of Rhode Island: Department of Transportation:

first, thanks for sharing and caring. The railroad right of way has been there since the mid 1800's and no homes were taken for its development(well, at least since the 1910's). The third rail used for the MBTA service was built with Federal money to help handle the increasing freight at Quonset Point which is moved by The Providence and Worcester RR. Actually, much of this line was at one time 3-4 rails as far as Wickford Junction.

Only 2000 pax? Well, even if that is 1000 each way it means 1000 fewer autos on the highway and allows the freedom of choice of mass transit. And if $2.25 is too much for you then don't use it and drive. But, the Federal Government says it costs or at least allows 53 cents per mile for out of pocket deductable for business expenses. So, your actual expense is $7.95 for that 15 mile one way trip to T.F. Green when you include all your auto expenses. As stated many of the Northeast States are looking to expand or restart commuter rail service because it is "Green" and the numbers prove many will choose it over driving. BTW, service expansion to both Westerly and New London is also being studied. South Coast (ct) commuter rail being expanded to New London from New Haven is also considering expanding to T.F. Green. All of this will improve our quality of life. While there will always be detracters to mass transportation many are in favor of it because we need an alternative to driving.

Also, studies have shown that light rail, streetcar and commuter rail increase the chances of private sector investment. This is just beginning at the T.F. Green station.

[GermanSpy]

Originally Posted by emilybh

What a waste!

I see only one waste in this threat and the commuter light rail expansion isn't it. It is due time we connected South County to Providence and onward. Less cars on the road and more people in trains sounds like a win to me.

[DarkWolf]

Various systems of the Northeast in 2012 and 2030...includes Regional Rail , Subway / Metro , Light Rail , Streetcar and Bus rapid Transit , Regional Bus and Urban / Suburban Bus

Metropolitan Transportation Authority
System Size in 2012 : 2,282 miles
System size by 2030 : 3,580 miles
Stations in 2012 : 751
Stations in 2030 : 823
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 11.6 Million
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 16.2 Million

New Jersey Transit / PATH / PATCO / Private Bus operators
System Size in 2012 : 1,390 Miles
System Size by 2030 : 1,720 miles
Stations in 2012 : 690
Stations by 2030 : 883
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 1.8 Million
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 4.7 Million

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority & Bus Operators in Eastern Massachusetts
System Size in 2012 : 1,193 miles
System Size in 2030 : 1,660 miles
Stations in 2012 : 270
Stations in 2030 : 349
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 1.6 Million
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 3.7 Million

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
System size in 2012 : 567 miles
System size by 2030 : 720 Miles
Stations in 2012 : 280
Stations by 2030 : 370
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 1.5 Million
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 4.2 Million

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority & Northern Virginia Transit
System Size in 2012 : 195 Miles
System Size by 2030 : 428 Miles
Stations in 2012 : 108
Stations by 2030 : 297
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 1.3 Million
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 4.4 Million

Maryland Transit Administration
System Size in 2012 : 232 Miles
System size by 2030 : 664 Miles
Stations in 2012 : 90
Stations by 2030 : 216
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 370,000
Projected Daily Ridership by 2030 : 1.5 Million

CT Transit & CDOT Rail Operations
System Size in 2012 : 157.4 Miles
System Size by 2030 : 510 Miles
Stations in 2012 : 59
Stations by 2030 : 112
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 278,000
Projected Daily Ridership by 2030 : 650,000


Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
System Size in 2012 : 20 Miles
System Size by 2030 : 280 Miles
Stations in 2012 : 3
Stations by 2030 : 59
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 81,070
Projected Daily Ridership by 2030 : 360,000

Amtrak Northeastern Division
System Size in 2012 : 2970 miles
System Size by 2030 : 3650 miles
Stations in 2012 : 109
Stations by 2030 : 141
Daily Ridership in 2012 : 17,800
Projected Ridership by 2030 : 120,000

[NY Annie]

I often wished that there was train service between South County and Providence when I lived there. I pay attention to what happens as that's where my family is still raising their families. And I'm thrilled that that option is there for them now. When I lived off Ten Rod Road in Wickford, we heard all the stories of how Wickford Junction was planned to be renewed and returned to active service - but it didn't happen. If the interest is now even half what it was then, it will be in full use in no time.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by emilybh

WOW you guys! Did Rhode Islanders get to vote on the "T" that now goes down to Wickford and up through Warwick and the airport to Providence and then to Boston or is this part of "sustainable development" A.K.A. Agenda 21 in the Ocean State? State of Rhode Island: Department of Transportation: RIDOT Home Page

How many Rhode Islanders were forced to give up their homes and sell them for less than they were worth to accommodate this project?

This is what "green" means. It is what "sustainable development" is and Agenda 21. It means the government and the special interests (companies involved in the construction) make the $GREEN while the people get squeezed and end up paying for projects like this whether they want then or need them or not. Meanwhile their standard of living is lowered if they aren't forced to give up their land.

Isn't it odd that a state that is in such dire financial straits as RI with roads needing to be supported with temporary framing to make them drivable http://www.dot.ri.gov/img/content/br...20Rte%202.jpeg still decides to help itself to taxpayers $$$ without their consent and build new infrastructure that is totally unnecessary ... a whole fancy new rail system?

According to the article on the DOT website there was a $33 Million Federal Grant to help pay for it. Then to travel a 15 mile distance or so from Wickford to the airport they are charging $2.25 which is well over what it would cost to pay for gas to drive that distance. On top of that only 2000 people a day use it. What a waste!

State of Rhode Island: Department of Transportation:

Emily I think your tin foil hat needs some adjustment. Don't you have enough "freedom fighting" to do locally down there?

I wonder how much ridership this line is actually getting. Are people actually taking it to the airport/commuting from S County in significant numbers to make it feasible, or is it mostly a feel-good project?

[DarkWolf]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Emily I think your tin foil hat needs some adjustment. Don't you have enough "freedom fighting" to do locally down there?

I wonder how much ridership this line is actually getting. Are people actually taking it to the airport/commuting from S County in significant numbers to make it feasible, or is it mostly a feel-good project?

The line is already open , but its not fully completed yet. Providence and Pawtucket need Infill stations , along with a line up Woonsocket / Worcester and a Extension of the proposed South Coast Network to Newport and a connector line between Providence and Fall River... Which would bring the system to 360,000 a day mostly from the Infill stations in providence which would act as a mini Subway - Commuter Rail hybrid along the South County line. All lines will be Electrified by 2030 so they will be fast...up to 125mph.... While it may look broke at the moment , the plans call for connecting all of RI , and MA and CT... By 2035 , you should be able to take a train from any large New England town or City whether it be Portsmouth , Bangor , Fall River , Manchester , Concord , or Woonsocket....

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

I see only one waste in this threat and the commuter light rail expansion isn't it. It is due time we connected South County to Providence and onward. Less cars on the road and more people in trains sounds like a win to me.

Sure the idea is nice and it is nice to hear that no one was kicked out of their homes this time but will the COST be WORTH it? By 2030 I bet a ride from Wickford to the airport will cost $30. Then will it be worth it?
Why didn't the PRIVATE sector build it WITHOUT Federal taxpayer dollars? I bet it is a guarantee that if it was paid for with private funds it could have been built for a fraction of the cost.

Rhode Islanders need to beware of these "sustainable" programs that sound great but cost an ARM and a LEG along with down the road, your property and your freedom. A good source to learn about it is the book by Rosa Koire called BEHIND THE GREEN MASK or go to the website "Democrats Against U.N. Agenda 21"