For over a century, Greenfield was a Massachusetts passenger rail crossroads, which ended in 1960. Since 1967, Greenfield never had more than two trains per day, until Amtrak started its four train, “Valley Flyer” on Aug. 30. Now, the city could become a rail crossroads again.
Governments have laid the ground work for a successful two-year pilot program, 24,000 riders per year: 1. opening Olver Transit Center (2012), 2. restoring the Connecticut River Line (2014); 3. rerouting the Vermonter to new station (2014), expanded in 2019; and 4. opening Olive Street Parking Garage (2018).
The city now functions as “on ramp” for Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Canadian travelers who are: 1. taking day trips to Springfield, Hartford, New Haven, and New York City; 2. accessing Bradley Airport via Windsor Locks; 3. reaching Northeast Corridor and Virginia in one day; and 4. taking long distance trains from New York City to Florida and New Orleans.
The city also functions as an “off ramp” for East Coast travelers wishing to bypass truck-choked and road-raged drivers, and continue to New England and Canada on lighter traveled highways.
While Massachusetts has allocated $250,000 to promote the trains, the local community can assist, very cheaply, to encourage more day trips from Springfield, Holyoke, and Northampton (Saturday, Sunday, holidays) and to capture more visits for those passing through.
Business websites can highlight the service. Access roads to the Poet’s Seat Tower can be improved. The city’s railroad history can be promoted in walking and car tours and local exhibits. Seasonal attractions could be made less so; others could be promoted more intensely.
Based on the infrastructure improvements in place, excellent schedule, state money, and community support, the “Valley Flyer” can reach ridership goals and eventually be expanded to make Greenfield a Massachusetts passenger rail crossroads again!
Dan Peacock,
Member, Trains In The Valley,
National Association
of Railroad Passengers
Surry, N.H.