bikentransit wrote:What I heard is that SEPTA and certain board members shooed the other Bucks County politicians away from Newtown. So if the pols are told its a bad project, they're not going to bat for it.
That is correct.
Clearfield wrote:SEPTA doesn't tell legislators what to do, its the other way around.
According to some people, perhaps. But not always. SEPTA may want the general public to believe that, but it is not always the case. Newtown is one of those instances.
I have been reading this post with interest and frustration. Moderator AlexC made a good point noting how every post about the Newtown line revolves around trains coming back and why can’t it happen. Many feel they are in the know. Enough time has passed that the facts can be dispersed and the Railroad.net readers and Newtown fans will have closure. Here is what happened. All of it.
PA-TEC was started in mid-2009 by three individuals, I being one of them. Our initial goal was to truly understand why the Newtown line remained derelict after the herculean efforts made to restore service in the 1990s. The first goal was to gauge support from residents. To that end, a petition was started and promoted at SEPTA stations with mock timetables (clearly stating such). Over 5,000 responses were received, from local residents, commuters and of course, train buffs. Most support came from Bucks residents but a good 35% were MontoCo. We spoke to DVRPC officials who advised that both they and SEPTA will do what the pols want; we had to “sell” the benefits of the reactivated Newtown line to them. PA-TEC also spoke directly with Byron Comati, SEPTA Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis, on several occasions. He reiterated all the things working against the line, but admitted there was a need for it. He also said without political support, there is no point in proceeded.
PA-TEC then embarked on a Newtown Line Campaign Blitz. The website R8Newtown.com was created. PA-TEC devised a very simple plan involving an incremental expansion instead of all at once. With few exceptions (MBTA Greenbush line), this is how every other transit agency in North America embarks on expansion projects – little by little. Every politician at a local and Commonwealth level that had a say in the line was contacted, with their corresponding email address being listed on the website. Interested users could send one cohesive letter, outlining the benefits and basic start-up costs to all politicians in one shot. Eventually, SEPTA began receiving calls almost daily from politicians they did not even know existed. The pols were armed with basic facts concerning population, ridership estimates, etc. and wanted to know more about this railroad line owned by SEPTA within the 5-county region that very few had even heard of.
The constant barrage of emails and phone calls resulted in SEPTA calling at their headquarters on
January 15, 2010. All major political players were in attendance. SEPTA CFO Richard Burnfield commented that it marked the only time major representatives of this magnitude from both counties and related townships were together in the same room with SEPTA to discuss the Newtown line in earnest (interestingly, Bucks County Commissioner and SEPTA Board member Charlie Martin called in from his Doylestown office). Burnfield ran the meeting and discussed how residents along the Newtown corridor could drive to the Warminster or West Trenton line for service. PA-TEC respectfully disagreed and explained how the line will attract many drive-tos from a larger catchment area like Wrightstown, Richboro as well as displaced Warminster or West Trenton riders (case in point - nearly all those cars parked at Hatboro and Warminster are not locals; same would hold true to Newtown and Southampton). I spoke with both Mr. Comati and Mr. Burnfield, thanked them for holding the meeting and said if it not meant to be, PA-TEC will go quietly. Both men were respectful, understanding, well spoken, educated and shrewd when called for. Notably, a young Burnfield was on hand when the line switched to busses in 1983 so he was able to offer firsthand insight. When asked about the possibility of public/private partnerships (DBOM, like NJT's RiverLINE and Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, as well as Denver RTA), Comati said that was not possible in the Commonwealth because laws enacted in the 1950s forbid it. In addition, there is no dedicated tax for rail expansion in the Commonwealth. NJ, CO, CT, MD, VA and MA all do not have these restrictions. Also, unlike most states, SEPTA is not a branch of the Commonwealth's DOT. Nearly every other state with passenger rail service includes it as part of their corresponding DOT program. In essence, SEPTA has few options to consider for expansion and funding, leading the belief that Pennsylvania is still stuck in the mud. At the conclusion of the meeting, State representative Steve Santarsiero stood up and said,
“there will be a study done, and I will see to it.” Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia was also in attendance and a staunch supporter. Comati also stated that he was impressed with the level of professionalism PA-TEC exhibited and asked that we keep him in the loop as to our progress, which we did. PA-TEC was about creating healthy working relationships and maintaining transparency.
The next major event was a Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the Newtown 21st Century Voice group at
George School on
February 28, 2010 which was streamed live online. There was near unanimous support from all attendees. State representative Steve Santarsiero was in attendance that afternoon and publically supported restored service as well as improved bus service to NJT’s Trenton station. He was not blind to the fact that commuters need options in both directions.
http://www.cheltenhamchamberofcitizens. ... 3-5-10.pdf
PA-TEC explaining details of the Newtown Branch project - George School meeting - 2.28.10
State representative Santasiero addressing attendees at George School, supporting PA-TEC's efforts and better public transport - 2.28.10
PA-TEC continued their Newtown line campaign meetings with the following towns:
- Abington EAC (10.9.09)
- Rockledge (11.29.09)
- Upper Southampton (1.6.10)
- Wrightstown (4.12.10) -
http://www.cheltenhamchamberofcitizens. ... -13-10.pdf
- Newtown Boro (4.20.10) -
http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/ ... 263732.txt
- Newtown Township EAC (4.26.10
http://www.twp.newtown.pa.us/commission ... 426min.htm)
- Upper Moreland (5.10.10, 12.20,10
http://www.uppermoreland.org/commission ... spx?id=312)
- Lower Makefield (6.2.10)
- Warwick (6.22.10
http://www.buckslocalnews.com/articles/ ... 345427.prt - "The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a second resolution in support of reinstated commuter rail service on the Newtown-Fox Chase commuter rail corridor"
- Middletown (7.12.10)
- Warrington (7.27.10)
- Newtown (8.1.10)
- Hatboro (8.16.10)
- Bryn Athyn (10.4.10)
- Jenkintown (10.13.10).
In the process, we obtained support from the likes of State reps Josh Shapiro, Tom Murt, and Senator Chuck McIllhinney. SEPTA did a good job erasing the line from existence, as younger pols had never even heard of the Newtown branch. We received unanimous support from nearly every township and have the resolutions to prove it. We also spoke at Bucks County Community College (11.19.10). These discussions were not just about the Newtown line, but dealt with Regional Sustainability and Regional Planning and how resumption of even minimal service plays an important role in that. Gannett Fleming, Inc. was tapped to begin a basic study with Santarsiero securing money from the state. We were happy that the Newtown line was now back in the news and being represented in a positive light. It appeared many old political obstacles had died away and there was a genuine chance the branch would at least find its place back on SEPTA's Long Range Planning report. PA-TEC had found the line's political cheerleader. Next would be a Senator who shared Santarsiero's views.
Then came the meeting with Senator Chuck McIllhinney. McIllhinney was very interested in the group and our ideas based on his communication with Santarsiero. Within minutes of the meeting’s start, Bucks County Commissioner and SEPTA Board member Charlie Martin arrived unexpectedly, saying SEPTA Board chairman Pat Deon (a Bucks County resident) insisted Martin be present. Martin then proceeded to discredit PA-TEC at every point in our presentation and our efforts to dissuade McIllhinney from being interested. Instead of being a discussion with McIllhinney, it was a tennis match between PA-TEC and Martin to create the illusion of controversy. Concerning the Jenkintown parking garage, Martin said he himself would much rather drive to Jenkintown to board SEPTA Southampton (his hometown or Newtown) and most residents would do the same. We asked him if he would like us to publish the fact the Bucks County Commissioner feels his constituents should drive to MontCo to board a train. He had no response. Martin added that “no trains will ever run on that line again. If they ever do, it will be done by SEPTA.” I will let all of you interpret that on your own. The meeting was an eye-opener and proof positive that certain factions within SEPTA are the reason the line is dead.
Threats and brainwashing continued. PA-TEC met with Upper Moreland in May 2010 and received notable support from Commissioner Lisa Romaniello. She was later advised by representative of SEPTA by supporting Newtown line restoration efforts, she would nullify funding for the Willow Grove station redevelopment. Our last call with Lisa Romaniello was the sound of a visibly shaken person.
Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia was a wonderful resource for PA-TEC. She too was silenced when she became DVRPC Secretary. We have not heard from her since, and when we last did, she was not the same person. DVPRC put her in a corner and it was obvious.
We attempted to meet with Northampton Township, who at the time was led by Pat Deon's brother, Vince Deon. Vince told us to "get lost - we don't need outsiders telling us what to do." The brash Vince was voted out shortly thereafter and cooler heads now prevail in Northampton, who have gone on record saying "no trails"
http://northampton.patch.com/groups/pol ... r-township and that commuter trains are needed, but there is no money.
PA-TEC also testified at the State Transportation Commission for the Newtown line’s inclusion in PennDOT’s 12-year transportation program on September 2, 2009. We also met with PennDOT representatives in Harrisburg in Summer 2011 to discuss the Newtown line and its relation to I-95. They were alarmed that neither SEPTA nor DVRPC included the line as it related to PennDOT’s massive reconstruction project slated for I-95. Some never even heard of the line whatsoever. They wished there was more they could do. Since SEPTA was not a part of PennDOT whatsoever, nothing could be done but watch and question.
Five years later, I can say I was there for all of it. We spoke to every pol possible, we kissed babies, and we were told "no" as many times as "yes." There were a few occasional "whys" and some "you guys are nuts. But you've gotten father than most would have." Some politicians were myopic, some doubtful, and some outright loving the idea and wondered why SEPTA said nothing about the line - but all supported better public transportation. On several occasions, Comati and Burnfield kindly asked us, “can’t you guys like a different line?” They too are acutely aware of the political football surrounding the corridor. PA-TEC has no ill will towards those who have helped us, listened to us and even slammed doors in our faces. There are greater forces at work that have something to hide. Whatever that is, is it probably locked away with details pertaining to the JFK assassination.
http://www.pa-tec.org/
http://newtownline.pa-tec.org/n1.html
http://newtownline.pa-tec.org/documents/
Of course, PA-TEC was mocked right here on RR.net with "hey, PA-TEC, how is the Newtown line going? I heard you got it up and running. Great work." What we did not hear from this community or the Bob Clearfields and Matthew Mitchells was, "how can I help?" "Where is the next presentation?" "What townships have signed resolutions?" PA-TEC did have one young man in his early 20s who followed us around in the beginning and loudly supported the efforts for the line. Last we heard, he took the road more easily traveled and is now the Communucations Director at DVARP. It is much easier to play Monday Morning Quarterback from the comfort of one's laptop or dismiss the efforts as fruitless when in fact one does not have the perseverance to endure pure politics week after week, night after night, asking pointed questions about a prickly topic that few wanted to deal with but many wanted answers to.
We spoke to more politicians who said, "well, SEPTA said is needs to be double tracked, right? SEPTA said it needs full electrification, yes? That will cost billions." We learned that SEPTA prepared a rolodex of excuses why the line had no chance and simply rolled through them when questions arose. We never disagreed. We would respond with, "it could be double tracked in places, but it is not necessary" (pointing to the Warminster line), or "yes, electric can be done inexpensively, but dual mode cars are available and used on NJT, Metro-North and Amtrak. SEPTA just needs to be reminded to think outside the box." We spent a great deal of time correcting the errors and misinformation spewed for so long.
When a lie is told repeatedly for so many years as has been done by SEPTA and DVRPC, you will start to take it as truth. Brainwashing is effective and used by those in power. If someone keeps trying to whitewash a turd with, people will start believing it. Conversely, if something good is blacklisted, like the Newtown line, you will believe that lie as well. The line only became a hotbed for upheaval because SEPTA and politicians
made itthat way. It is what the line represents vs. what it actually accomplishes. Its evils are everywhere in discussion but nowhere in substance. Politics keeps the tiny Cynwyd line alive, not ridership. Politics keeps the Newtown line dead, not lack of ridership.
At this point, all we can say is to continue contacting your local, county and state representative. Most have seen our proposals. Aside from a Santarsiero, Marseglia or McIllhinney, most will simply go with the flow and only stand behind a project that wins them votes.
PA-TEC supports all rail expansion projects provided money is allotted properly to them. Projects should be driven by need, not politics, which is bad policy
The list is here.
http://pa-tec.org/projects.html
We welcome all discussions on all projects in rational, respectful terms.
Thank you.
