New commuter rail funding plan

On Friday, November 13 Executive Councilors Colin Van Ostern and Chris Pappas joined U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster to present a plan to fund a southern New Hampshire commuter rail. 

Here is a summary of the plan:

• The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority would provide layover yards and trains.
• Private developers would build “Welcome Centers” at each station.
• Federal grants would cover roughly half of the initial construction costs.
• To cover the other half of construction costs and annual operation costs, the state would contribute roughly $3-4 million out of the general fund each year.
• Manchester and Nashua would contribute $1-3 million in taxpayer funds each year.
• Rail stations would charge $6 per day for parking after the first year.

“It’s time to create a multimodal transportation future for our state that includes rail. A stronger economy is good for all New Hampshire citizens, and even those who will never set foot on a train will enjoy having less traffic on I-93 and Route 3 every day,” said Pappas. 

Opponents of a southern New Hampshire commuter rail argue that the benefits of economic development are overstated.

“Not only is the rail plan of Councilors Van Ostern and Pappas a huge tax hike for state and local taxpayers, even if you assume their numbers are right, but it assumes that rail to Boston will be the most successful commuter railway in the country in order to make its math work,” said Greg Moore, New Hampshire director of Americans For Prosperity. 

A legislative committee is also studying ways to finance a commuter rail.  They will report their recommendations in early 2016.

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