The subheading to the Union Leader article reads “In 2017, the city took steps to explore bringing privately-funded passenger rail service to Nashua.” What follows is reporting about the release of a 30-page report. An impossible dream that was unmasked on Granitegrok in 2017 when Nashua first embraced it.
A private-funding fantasy, because the advocates themselves admit it can’t happen without public money.
Related: For-Profit Passenger Rail Plan Needs Public Money and Why Freight Rail is the Future
It is therefore not privately funded.
I spoke at length about the proposed passenger rail service on Girard at Large a few weeks ago, and how it gets its infrastructure funding. …
“Nashua is not liable for any of the funding for the service, though it will assist Boston Surface in looking for grants and federal loans.”
It’s just a step to publicly owned and unwanted commuter rail. And since that is what they are after we get another report.
The 30-page document, which will be presented to the Board of Aldermen tonight, calls for a plan to move forward with the city’s partnership with the Boston Surface Railroad Company.
Taxpayers paid for another report. They are paying for a rail consultant from Los Angeles. Nashua spent 1.4 million on the property. We “want to turn into a park” but it’s perfect for a rails stop. Translation: If we don’t get rail we can always turn it into a park.
More clues.
The committee is recommending that the city build financing and revenue generation options to support operations and station development, and identify risks and opportunities for different scenarios, according to the document.
Using my Bureaucrat Whisperer powers, I can tell you that this means, find more public money.
“Nashua is not liable for any of the funding for the service, though it will assist Boston Surface in looking for grants and federal loans.”
Public-Private means it’s not private
The entire Boston Surface Railroad “privately funded” scheme is predicated on federal loans. But it will make as much money as any other rail system (that is to say it will lose money). So, the emphasis is on “planning” how to ensure the public can be convinced to pick up the tab because no one is picking up the train.
That’s why,
“…more advocacy is needed to help bring passenger rail to the city. The panel is recommending engaging with surrounding communities, the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, the Southern New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission, and educational institutions.
Engagement with the business community, public officials and state agencies will also be vital, the report states.
Same ole’ Commuter Rail whore…same blue dress.
