Boston-Montreal rail line studied Service through N.H., Vt. could attract 700,000 riders a year, earn $35M

CONCORD, N.H. – Train service between Boston and Montreal through New Hampshire and Vermont is feasible and could attract almost 700,000 riders in 2025, a study showed Tuesday.

No environmental issues or other problems were indentified that might stop such a project. In addition, ridership estimates were considered sufficient to warrant a second study on cost, infrastructure and operation.

An estimated 221,227 riders would make the entire 325-mile trip, and another 462,440 would board for part of the distance, the study showed.

While cost of the entire project wasn’t addressed, the study estimated the 683,667 passengers would bring in $34.6 million in revenue.

The study by the consulting firm of Parsons-Brinckerhoff was discussed Tuesday night at the state Transportation Department in the first of a series of public meetings.

Similar meetings will be held Wednesday in Lowell, Mass., Thursday in Montpelier, Vt., and Nov. 25 in Montreal.

Vermont, the lead state in the study, hired the firm.

If the states decide to go forward, the second study would not begin until at least spring, and take about a year. However, no money has been appropriated for the second study.

There also is no timetable and no money available to implement any plan, said Kit Morgan, administrator for the Bureau of Rail and Transit for New Hampshire.

The track, already in place over most of the route for freight service, would have to be upgraded to handle trains averaging 90 mph for the approximately five-hour trip.

The proposed route would parallel Interstate 89 in New Hampshire and Vermont.

The study used various scenarios involving low, mid and high speeds, different fares, number of trains and number of stops.

In one scenario, trains would make eight stops, in Boston and Woburn in Massachusetts; Manchester and Concord in New Hampshire; White River Junction, Montpelier and Burlington in Vermont, and Montreal.

In another, trains also would stop in Lowell, Mass., Nashua and Franklin in New Hampshire, and St. Albans, Vt.

The highest ridership estimate resulted from midspeed trains of between 90 and 125 mph with eight stops and the second-lowest fare, 20 cents per mile.

The new rail service between Portland, Maine, and Boston, which has proved successful with more ridership than expected, charges 16 cents per mile. It is a low-speed train, traveling at about 60 mph.

Morgan said midspeed service between Boston and Montreal would require complete overhaul of the existing tracks.

Vermont already has requested $500,000 in federal funds that must be matched for the second phase of the study, although it is not expected to cost that much. Morgan said each of the three states probably would have to provide about $130,000.

The first phase costs $400,000, with the federal government paying half and the three states splitting the other half.