Cape Cod commuter rail

[Tlcooper93]

Massachusetts legislator seeks to revive commuter rail service to Cape Cod - Trains

HYANNIS, Mass. — A Massachusetts legislator has announced plans for a bill that would revive daily commuter train service to Cape Cod, currently served by the summer-weekend-only CapeFlyer service. The Cape Cod Times reports state Rep. Dylan Fernandes said this week that the service would ease...

www.trains.com

I thought this might merit a separate thread. If not, no worries.

 

[Septa9739]

I think there’s merit to the project. I’m not sure I’d frame it as commuter rail at three trips per day. It’s really more of a regional rail project, especially at three trips per day and nobody is going to opt for a 2:38 train ride for a 70 mile trip twice a day to commute. Track and signal work would certainly be helpful to improve the viability of the route.

 

[MARC Rider]

I think there’s merit to the project. I’m not sure I’d frame it as commuter rail at three trips per day. It’s really more of a regional rail project, especially at three trips per day and nobody is going to opt for a 2:38 train ride for a 70 mile trip twice a day to commute. Track and signal work would certainly be helpful to improve the viability of the route.

Actually, in terms of time and distance and train fequency, that's similar, to the Washington-Harper's Ferry-Martinsburg service on MARC'S Brunswick Line.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Support, but could we spend some money on track improvements prior to starting. We don’t need 125 mph, but something a bit higher than 2:38 hours for 70 miles.

Also the base line is three trip, so better track will hopeful increase the number of trains.

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

I think there’s merit to the project. I’m not sure I’d frame it as commuter rail at three trips per day. It’s really more of a regional rail project, especially at three trips per day and nobody is going to opt for a 2:38 train ride for a 70 mile trip twice a day to commute. Track and signal work would certainly be helpful to improve the viability of the route.

It might be viable for someone who only goes into the office a few days a week or who spends weekends at the Cape. There might be reverse commute possibilities given how expensive housing is on the Cape and how workers priced out of the market might live in Southeastern Mass towns like Brockton and commute into Hyannis

 

[alanh]

The main speed problem is the old Class 2 (30 mph) jointed rail on the Cape. The Cape Flyer takes 70 minutes to get from Buzzards Bay to Hyannis. The track on the mainland is Class 3 (60 mph) up to the bridge.

 

[John Santos]

Most commuters would not be travelling all the way to or from Hyannis. 1:28 between BOS and Buzzard's Bay (mainland side of the canal) would be a long commute but competitive with driving. (Ever been stuck on Route 3?) 5 minutes more to Bourne on the other side of the bridge.

The ROW exists and is maintained, so could be upgraded relatively easily for much greater speed.

 

[AmtrakMaineiac]

It is unfortunate that the right of way no longer exists all the way to Falmouth and Woods Hole. This would allow people to connect to the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. I believe there is still a ferry to MV from Hyannis but it takes a lot longer. The original ROW from Falmouth to Woods Hole is now a bike path.

 

[Fenway]

Woman struck, killed by CapeFLYER train, transit police say

A passenger on that train says it will be several hours before the train starts making its way to Boston.

www.wcvb.com

In a statement emailed to NewsCenter 5, MBTA Transit Police Department Supt. Richard Sullivan said that at about 7:35 p.m., a woman intentionally entered the right of way and was struck by the train.

"On behalf of the TPD and the entire MBTA organization, we express our sincerest condolences to the decedent's family, friends and loved ones," Sullivan said in his statement.

A passenger on the CapeFLYER train involved in the collision told NewsCenter 5 reporter Brianna Borghi that at about 9 p.m., they were told by authorities that they would be on the train for four to seven hours before it starts moving.

According to that passenger, an emergency responder said the train would usually not be allowed to move because the engineer in control of the train would be tested at a local hospital as part of the crash investigation. But there is another engineer on board the train who will eventually be able to transport passengers to Boston.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

Four to Seven hours.