Local Trains; Big Dreams Scuttled

There's a story today (no link available at this writing) about a proposed new commuter rail station at the junction of Routes 2 and 31.

There's a lot of reasons why this is a good idea. It creates a station that would nicely service not only surrounding areas better than the current stations in downtown Fitchburg and North Leominster, but would cater to folks living in the Oak Hill/Upper Cleghorn/Bridle Cross areas. It would be, really, a good extension of the current rail line.

However, there are two reasons to consider holding off on this project, and the $750,000 study that comes along with it. First, for Fitchburg, this station would suck away some of the traffic that comes downtown to get on the train. That wouldn't be good for a downtown trying to get its legs back underneath it.

Second, the priority for years has been to speed up the rail line, not extend it. This project diverts money, attention and time from the real top priority of the line, which is making it faster.

Also, if this increases ridership, where do they sit? My understanding is that the line can't really handle more than the six single-deck cars now on the rails. If you ride the big rush-hour trains, you know seats are a premium. Why add capacity if you can't handle it?

Improve the current service first, then expand it.

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The Kerry Effect may be claiming its first victim.

For years, U.S. Rep. Martin Meehan of Lowell wanted something better for himself than a seat in Congress. He's been considered a long-time Senate candidate, and he backed away from a gubernatorial run in 2002 after a couple of crafty moves from the Legislature were more than enough to push the play-it-safe Meehan to the sidelines.

Now, according to the Globe, Meehan might be up for the UMass-Lowell presidency.

Make no mistake, Meehan has long yearned for higher office. When the state changed its campaign finance rules to help out Tom Finneran before the '02 election, Meehan's big federal money campaign account were of no use to him. That left the Senate. So Meehan waited, hoping Sen. John Kerry would become president. Then when that didn't work out, he waited some more, hoping either Kerry would run again, or Ted Kennedy would shock the world and announce his retirement.

Neither happened, Meehan is looking for something new. The UMass-Lowell job is a plum, and Meehan is treated very, very well in Lowell.

So, Kerry's loss in '04 and his recent decision not to run in '08 may have claimed its next victim. As long as Meehan gets the job.

Oh yeah, don't think for a minute the Globe got this story from anyone other than Meehan or a Marty-approved source that might as well have been Meehan. Meehan and Globe reporter (and former Lowell Sun writer) Frank Phillips are old buddies and stay in touch. Meehan wants this out there.