A train station Will Rogers would love

[grump]

The cowboy comedian, Will Rogers, did a routine about a fellow who was asked for directions to a particular location. After contemplating the problem he announced "You can't get there from here." Yesterday, we were treated to the report of our experts on the proposed location of a new train station. Much to the surprise of no one who has followed such things in western NY, the cost estimate was close to double that originally anticipated. But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west. There's no tracks. I guess that it should come as a surprise to no one that this comedy of errors was overseen by a professor from UB. Even though cost estimates were much higher than anticipated one has to expect that the cost will, in fact, be higher still by the time it's done due to the usual Democratic bid rigging and union featherbedding through project labor agreements. If this group had designed the thruway we'd have to drive to Erie in order to get to Syracuse. Ever wonder why people nationwide laugh at Buffalo?

[WNYresident]

Totally agree with you. Projects are not done in the community's best interest. They are done in the best interest of the connected politicians and developers at our expense.


Cost estimates favor downtown train station over Central Terminal

Central Terminal supporters made up the majority of an overflow crowd at Tuesday's public meeting on where to put a new Buffalo train station.

Many didn't like what they heard.

The cost of putting the station at the East Side landmark was estimated at between $68 million and $149 million, compared to between $34 million and $86 million to put a station downtown, according to an engineering consultant hired by the state Department of Transportation.

The range of costs was for accommodating current train service; service also including long-distance trains; adding local buses; and also adding inter-city carriers. Each came with its own engineering and architectural challenges.

http://buffalonews.com/2017/03/21/do...ns-upper-hand/

But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west. There's no tracks. I guess that it should come as a surprise to no one that this comedy of errors was overseen by a professor from UB.

At least from the terminal I see tracks or track beds that might be able to be reused.

Think if you are a developer and have an idea where tracks could be built if the station was downtown. You could go and buy up a lot of run down homes where tracks could go. CHA CHING!!!!



If you follow the tracks up to Broadway to the CSX Transportation Frontier Yard a restaurant used to be there. I worked at the restaurant between the age of 14 to 18. I started off as a dishwasher, floor cleaner, soda machine reloader, up to potato peeler, then short order cook then dinner preparation for the following day. I made 1000's of eggs, burgers, sandwiches, 100's of pounds of home fries, salads and what ever was being served. I think they finally closed that part of the building down years ago.

[Jeff]

As someone who frequently travels by train on the East coast, the smart move is to put the station close to downtown, near busniesses and offices. However there are some other factors. Ease of access, parking availability just to name a few that are just as important.

You can not look at this strictly from a cost perspective. If it takes twice as long to get to a downtown train station, and cost twice as much to park, then you are really turning people off.

[grump]

WNY, the article in the snooze said that trains can't leave westbound from the two proposed locations. This was readily acknowledged by the planners.

[WNYresident]

WNY, the article in the snooze said that trains can't leave westbound from the two proposed locations. This was readily acknowledged by the planners.

Get new planners. Come on now. Don't pick locations at the start that don't meet some minimum qualifications to be a train station


How will they justify creating a new track infrastructure when it looks like the basic track bed is at the Central Terminal.

[WNYresident]

Location, location, location..

Too bad the Central Terminal wasn't closer to downtown buffalo. Would make for a cool entrance to a train station convention center football stadium visitor center. Yeah that's it...

[WNYresident]

Jeff,

What do you think of using the Central Terminal for the location? Remember there will be a much higher cost to rehab the building but it is a piece of history. Maybe not though. People could buy up property where the station downtown could be built and sell it for a pretty penny.

[Jeff]

Jeff,

What do you think of using the Central Terminal for the location? Remember there will be a much higher cost to rehab the building but it is a piece of history. Maybe not though. People could buy up property where the station downtown could be built and sell it for a pretty penny.

Again, cost is not the issue. The success of the location is more important. Honestly, I love the GCT. It is an amazing building that I hope is able to be saved and restored for future people to enjoy. But if I still have to take a 30 min cab ride downtown from the train station, its just not that convenient. it either needs to be downtown, or there needs to be a connection to downtown in the form of train or free/cheap light rail.

[WNYresident]

understandable.

[dtwarren]

Again, cost is not the issue. The success of the location is more important. Honestly, I love the GCT. It is an amazing building that I hope is able to be saved and restored for future people to enjoy. But if I still have to take a 30 min cab ride downtown from the train station, its just not that convenient. it either needs to be downtown, or there needs to be a connection to downtown in the form of train or free/cheap light rail.

As a regular Amtrak rider I agree with this statement 100%. I also believe that rather than spending money to take the metro-rail north it makes more sense to expand it to connect to the terminal and put the new station there.

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

But the funny part is that from both preferred locations trains can't head west.

This is false.

Trains can head from the CT without issue. They can also head west from DT but would have to back out rather than going through. It's just a matter of getting approval from Amtrak to back trains out. Which was once done here and is done in other parts of the US currently.

As someone who frequently travels by train on the East coast, the smart move is to put the station close to downtown, near businesses and offices.

I think the goal should be near tourism rather than business because if we're being honest...it's tourism that will drive the growth. Sabres, Canal Side Concerts, Casino...eventually the Bills. That is what people are going to come in for. These activities are tolerant of the horrible Amtrak times. Business...not sure I'd buy that stock personally.

However there are some other factors. Ease of access, parking availability just to name a few that are just as important.

Not 100% sure there is anything in Buffalo that can not be defined as easy to access...if compared to a large city. Also not sure parking is a real issue.

NYS pulling its head out of its ass and allowing ride sharing removes any parking issue.

You can not look at this strictly from a cost perspective. If it takes twice as long to get to a downtown train station, and cost twice as much to park, then you are really turning people off.

Here is the thing. You're looking at it wrong I feel.

It's not about getting people out of Buffalo. It's about bringing them in. Bring people in from the west (Toronto) and the east (Rochester/Syracuse) to spend time ($$$) in Buffalo.

There is not a single dedicated parking space for the San Diego Amtrak station. The Amtrak station is right in downtown by the water. It's more about getting people to not from.