Massachusetts, Springfield-Greenfield: 5 or 6 trains a day by 2016?

[beautifulplanet]

The current investments in rail infrastructure in the Knowledge Corridor in western Massachusetts will bring improvements for Amtrak's Vermonter, but cities along the route are also planning for a possible new commuter rail service:

Pioneer Valley commuter rail service would operate five or six trains a day by 2016

By Chad Cain

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

(Published in print: Thursday, May 22, 2014)
http://www.gazettenet.com/news/12061493-95/pioneer-valley-commuter-rail-service-would-operate-five-or-six-trains-a-day-by

In case this service was actually introduced, as well as some kind of new passenger rail service between Worcester and Springfield that was recently discussed, then Springfield Union Station would end up being a transportation hub with multiple connections: 1) the new New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail service, 2) the new Springfield-Greenfield rail service, 3) the Springfield-Worcester(-Boston) rail service plus 4) all the existing long-distance Amtrak rail service...

 

[afigg]

4 to 5 daily trains from Springfield to Greenfield by end of 2016? I suspect the ramp-up in service frequency to that many trains will slip into 2017 or 2018. The current schedule for the New Haven - Hartford - Springfield upgrades is to complete construction and launch for the New Haven to Hartford by the end of 2016. Then complete construction for Hartford to Windsor by June 2017. (Source is a NHHS March presentation). Phase 3B for Windsor to Springfield double tracking upgrades is still not funded. So service frequency north of Windsor is going to be constrained.

An incremental ramp-up of service extending trains north of Springfield to Greenfield is more likely. First step will be to re-route the Vermonter. After that, how many daily trains and when is TBD. Still, by 2017 or 2018, Springfield MA will indeed be a restored hub for an expanding passenger train service.