Are you interested in learning about what is going on with passenger rail service in our area?
Do you want to know more about the new Knowledge Corridor service (starting in 2019) serving Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, and points south?
Would you like to get an update from MassDOT on
the East-West Rail Study?
Have we got the meeting for you!
JOIN US for the annual meeting of the Rail User’ Network,
which this year will be held in Springfield on Saturday, October 13th, from 12 Noon to 5 pm.
Meeting details
When
Sat. October 13, 2018 – Noon to 5 pm
Where
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (free parking)
2nd floor
60 Congress Street
Springfield, Ma.
Note | This event is free and open to the public
Meeting registration
Eventbrite link
eventbrite.com/rail-users-network-annual-meeting
Please note that you do not need to register to attend. If you just want to show up and walk in you will be more than welcome.
Meeting Agenda
UPDATE 10/24/2018 | Copies of the presentations from this meeting have been posted on this webpage: Trains In The Valley Events
Summary
The meeting will highlight efforts underway which have led to the expansion of passenger rail service between New Haven & Springfield as well as the proposed pilot program to offer additional service between Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield as well as efforts to establish a seasonal service between Pittsfield and New York City.
Agenda
12:00 pm – 12:20
Challenges Facing Rail Advocates Across North America
Richard Rudolph
Chairman, Rail Users’ Network
12:20 – 12:40
Public Forum – Welcoming remarks
State Senator Eric Lessor
Congressman Richard Neal
12:40 – 1:20
CTrail Hartford Line Update
John Bernick, Asst. Rail Administrator, CTDOT
1:20 – 1:50
Transit Oriented Development
John Bernick, Asst. Rail Administrator, CTDOT
1:50 – 2:20
Expansion of Passenger Rail along the Northern End of the Knowledge Corridor
Tim Brennan, Executive Director, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission.
2:20 – 2:30
Break
2:30 – 3:00
The Berkshire Flyer
Thomas Matuszko, Executive Director, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
3:00 – 3:30
East – West Passenger Rail Study, Boston to Pittsfield
Jennifer Slesinger, Project Manager, East-West Rail Study, MassDOT
3:30 – 4:10
Passenger Rail Advocacy in the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley
– Karen Christensen, President, The Train Campaign.
– Ben Heckscher, Co-Founder, Trains in The Valley
4:10 – 4:50
Audience Forum: Open Dialogue
4:50 – 5:00
Closing Remarks
Andrew Albert, Vice Chair, Rail Users’ Network and
Chairman, Permanent Citizen Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York City).
This meeting is sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, with the assistance of the regional rail advocacy groups Trains In The Valley and the Train Campaign.
FAQs
What does it cost to attend this meeting?
Nothing. The event is free and open to the public.
Do have have to register to attend the meeting?
No you don’t. You can simple show up and walk in. We’re asking people to register so we keep track of the number of people attending, since the room size is limited to about 80 people.
Is there parking at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commissions office in Springfield.
Yes, there is lots of free parking — on both sides of the building.
Is the organizer providing lunch at the event?
No, but there will be a small snack available during the scheduled break at 2.20 pm.
Can I get there by train?
Yes you can, if you are coming from the south. Simply take a Hartford Line train to Springfield Union Station. From there the walk to the meeting location is about 5 minutes.
Further reading
Past Meetings | Rail Users’ Network
Post last updated: October 24, 2018