Proposed Albany-Saratoga Commuter Rail Demo: Comparison of Alternative Routes

Stats:

Saratoga-Albany via Schenectady 37.5 miles 18 crossings

Saratoga-Albany via Mechanicville 44 miles 53 crossings

Mileage Grade Crossings Time local express Cost to upgrade

60 minutes 45 minutes $2-4 million*

90 minutes 70 minutes $30 million**

* $15 million to install double track Schenectady - Albany; route would remain part of Amtrak upgrade already funded by Governors high-speed program. **single track. Railroads/Insurance place. CSX/D&H insurance in place. CSX/D&H/B&M-none in

(B&M indicates not receptive to commuter rail demo.)

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THE SUNDAY GAZETTE

More data needed to choose

rail route
By JOHN E. SWEENEY For The Sunday Gazette Though not for the first time, I was disappointed by the tone and the representation of facts presented in a Daily Gazette editorial regarding commuter rail. So, in response to the April 12 editorial regarding the routing of the proposed demonstration project, I feel the need to set the record straight.

VIEWPOINT
Many communities across America are approaching Congress looking for ways to solve their transit problems by establishing commuter rail and light rail systems, and the Gazette seems to think that commuter rail will solve some problems Schenectady is facing. Yet, they fail to face the facts with regard to certain issues. Any discussion as to whether one route is preferable to another is premature, as there are ridership and cost questions remaining. That said, I hope the Gazette shares my view that any expense of taxpayers' money must be fully considered before committing tax dollars that, once committed, are not refundable. I hasten to add that I have refrained from advancing a funding request for either route because I require supportive evidence that commuter use will make the project cost effective. First, nobody has established, with any credibility or degree of certainty, how many will ride the train, and since the goal of any commuter rail system planner is to serve the largest population base possible, the preferred choice would be the most populous area. While CDT A has done a survey, the survey did not provide a statistically trustworthy assessment as to how many people would actually pay

to ride the train, and such information is vital to any such transportation plan. Given this lack of detailed ridership data, I cannot accept the Gazette's view that more people from Schenectady would ride the train than from another population base further to the east. Based on what data does the Gazette make such a statement? Further, the Gazette seems to delight in writing that I have taken a firm position on routing. Frankly, I have been saying from day one that I am more than willing to consider both routes, if some entity or other can show me that I would not be wasting taxpayers' money by the creation of a rail system without riders. So, let me say this again, the CDT A and Gazette are urging me to obtain millions of dollars to run a commuter train through Schenectady, yet I've yet to read or hear from either that they are certain that line will ac-complish the original goal of the commuter rail demonstration project: to reduce traffic on the Northway. In short, I am loath to please either CDT A or the Gazette by irresponsibly spending the tax dollars of the more than 600,000 people I represent and not reduce traffic congestion on the Northway. Finally, I look forward to any and all objective data and input from CDT A, the Gazette or any other advocates of mass transit, because as the representative of the North Country and counties south of Albany as well, it has long been a goal of mine to better connect the 22nd Congressional District with the rest of the state, the rest of the country and the rest of the world. That said, tough questions must be answered as to the viability of mass transit options and we must move forward armed with facts, and not merely driven by emotion. I am sorry to say that in its haste to determine which way a commuter rail should run, the Gazette has chosen the more emotional route. John E. Sweeney represents the 22nd Congressional District, which includes Saratoga County.