-cochise t1_j7uqow7 wrote on February 9, 2023 at 3:35 PM

Reply to comment by AKBigDaddy in Want passenger rail in Manchester? Make your voice heard by PurpleSubtlePlan

I’m imagining probably ten times the bus traffic we have now with regularly spaced schedules that would be workable for daily commuters. Imagining, of course.

AKBigDaddy t1_j7ur9eh wrote on February 9, 2023 at 3:38 PM

But that only works if you reduce the number of people driving, otherwise you're adding to the traffic problem. Maybe it's just me but I feel like there's a stigma associated with riding a bus that isn't there for taking a train- so for convincing people to take public transport, I think a train will get better adoption than busses. I could very well be wrong, this is just my personal bias- If it was convienient to my workplace, i'd take a train every day. I don't care if the bus is coming to my office door I would drive my own car before taking the bus.

-cochise t1_j7uzbqm wrote on February 9, 2023 at 4:31 PM

These would be newer and cleaner and full of middle class workers and professionals. Maybe even extend some stretches of HOV lanes to make it even more attractive. Load it with racks for bikes, e-bikes, scooters, yuppies love that shit. Not to mention the green aspect, you could sell that pretty well too.

Imagine a bus leaving from Manchester (Concord , Nashua) every ten minutes during morning commuting hours and you get access to the quick-moving HOV lane for a smooth 60-75 minute ride to Alewife or West Medford.

AKBigDaddy t1_j7uzp3k wrote on February 9, 2023 at 4:33 PM

> These would be newer and cleaner and full of middle class workers and professionals.

I fit that bill. I still would prefer to drive myself. Maybe I'm just jaded because of my prior experience on buses, or maybe it's just that I hate being in close proximity to other people. Even commuter trains give you SOME room to stretch your legs, stand up and walk around that busses simply don't.