Kudos to Tony Jewell for his excellent letter from Feb. 28 (“Train figures don’t lie.”) I had found the Recorder’s statements justifying four additional trains a day traveling the north-south “knowledge corridor” puzzling. Jewell has clearly provided the arithmetic showing just how questionable, at least currently, the addition of so many trains is, and his argument that there are easier, less expensive options — Route 91 and bus service — is cogent. His promotion of an east-west train running daily through Greenfield and points west is highly commendable.
When we first moved to western Massachusetts, I had intended to visit Boston often; after all, the city, a major attraction, is only 100 miles away. But heavy traffic inside Route 495, limited parking options near the Alewife station and expensive parking elsewhere, and driving straight into the blinding rising or setting sun make the trip generally unpleasant. East-west bus options, which involve unpleasant waits in Springfield, are no better.
There are many attractions here in the western counties — MassMoCA, Williams College and the Clark Museum, to state but a few — that would also benefit greatly if Bostonians had the same options to travel here without confronting all the issues surrounding traffic along Route 2. I sincerely hope that those candidates who will be vying for Steve Kulik’s seat will support the introduction of passenger service along this scenic corridor.
Cynthia Herbert
Colrain