Susan Richman | Oppose HB100

Why do we continue pouring money into highway expansion, without investigating the potential of rail. Ridership increasing? Just add a few more cars to the train. Another cost saving: rail uses less fuel per person than a personal car. Health improvements: fewer emissions, fewer cars in collisions, less stress to workers whose commute will be made easier. And if New Hampshire bypasses interstate rail connections, potential interstate tourist business will bypass us. I read the testimony from E.J. Powers, with more factual data on the benefits of rail. I will simply restate the final 2 sentences from E.J. Powers: "As written, HB 100 would eliminate all prospects for investing in rail, thwart the will of the overwhelming majority of New Hampshire citizens (both Republicans and Democrats) and squander an economic development opportunity for the state. It is an unnecessary bill. It presumes that the state should invest zero dollars in an infrastructure project ever – without the benefit of making an informed decision."