BERKSHIRE FLYER: PITTSFIELD TO NEW YORK CITY CITYFEASIBILITY STUDY DEVELOPED IN SUPPORT OF THE BERKSHIRE FLYER WORKING GROUP March 26, 2018 Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield-New York City Feasibility Study Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield to New York City Feasibility Study Developed by: MasssDOT Transit & Rail Division In support of: The Berkshire Flyer Working Group Study Support Provided by: STV Inc. HMMH Inc. TPRG 3/26/2018 Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield-New York City Feasibility Study TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction and Background ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Study Goals ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Development Process ............................................................................................. 2 1.2.1 Berkshire Flyer Working Group ............................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Working Group meetings .......................................................................................... 3 1.3 Potential Passenger Rail Service ...................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 Cape Flyer Rail Service ............................................................................................ 4 1.3.2 Framework for Berkshire Flyer Service ................................................................... 6 1.4 Existing Services .............................................................................................................. 6 1.4.1 Existing Amtrak Services ......................................................................................... 8 2 Alternatives ............................................................................................................................. 9 2.1 Potential Routes................................................................................................................ 9 2.1.1 Albany/Rensselaer Route ........................................................................................ 10 2.1.2 Schodack Subdivision Route .................................................................................. 13 2.2 Potential Services ........................................................................................................... 16 2.2.1 Option 1A- Empire Corridor Extension .................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Option 1B – Berkshire Flyer Express ..................................................................... 19 2.2.3 Option 2 – Schodack Subdivision Service .............................................................. 21 3 Capital Cost Estimates .......................................................................................................... 23 3.1 Required Capital ............................................................................................................. 23 3.1.1 Track Improvements ............................................................................................... 23 3.1.2 Station Improvements ............................................................................................. 24 3.1.3 Rolling Stock .......................................................................................................... 25 3.2 Capital Cost Estimate Summary .................................................................................... 25 4 Operating Cost Estimates ...................................................................................................... 27 4.1 Option 1A ....................................................................................................................... 27 4.2 Option 1B ....................................................................................................................... 28 4.3 Option 2 .......................................................................................................................... 28 5 Alternatives ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................ 29 5.1 Option 1A ....................................................................................................................... 29 5.2 Option 1B ....................................................................................................................... 29 3/26/2018 Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield-New York City Feasibility Study 5.3 Option 2 .......................................................................................................................... 30 6 Fare Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 31 6.1 Existing Fares ................................................................................................................. 31 6.2 Berkshire Flyer Fares ..................................................................................................... 32 7 Market Analysis – market IDENTIFICATION AND Development .................................... 34 7.1 Travel Markets ............................................................................................................... 34 7.1.1 Berkshire County Attractions Market ..................................................................... 34 7.1.2 Second Home Market ............................................................................................. 35 7.1.3 Zero Car Households .............................................................................................. 35 7.2 Destination Transportation Options (Last Mile) ............................................................ 38 7.3 Peer Comparisons ........................................................................................................... 39 7.4 Travel Demand ............................................................................................................... 40 7.5 Amtrak Travel Model ..................................................................................................... 43 7.6 Regional Benefits ........................................................................................................... 43 7.6.1 Tourist Economy and Marketing ............................................................................ 43 7.6.2 Examples of Intercity Rail Service Marketing by Service Sponsors ...................... 45 7.6.3 Regional Market Benefits ....................................................................................... 45 8 Next Steps ............................................................................................................................. 47 8.1 Study Summary .............................................................................................................. 47 8.2 Implementation Actions ................................................................................................. 47 8.3 Next Steps ...................................................................................................................... 50 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Cape Flyer Route ............................................................................................................. 4 Figure 3: Cape Flyer Stations ......................................................................................................... 5 Figure 4: Cape Flyer Ridership ....................................................................................................... 5 Figure 5: Cape Flyer Amenities ...................................................................................................... 5 Figure 6: Albany/Rensselaer Station & Transit Center .................................................................. 8 Figure 7: South view of Albany Bus Terminal ............................................................................... 8 Figure 8: Logos of Existing Amtrak Services................................................................................. 8 Figure 9: Berkshire Flyer Albany /Rensselaer Route ................................................................... 10 Figure 10: Berkshire Flyer Schodack Subdivision Route ............................................................. 13 Figure 11: Berkshire Flyer Schodack Subdivision Route – New Connection Track Aerial View 15 Figure 12: Berkshire Flyer Schodack Subdivision Route Environmental Resources ................... 16 Figure 14: Berkshire County Monthly Occupancy Rates ............................................................. 35 Figure 15: Berkshire County Second Home Owners from New York City Metropolitan Area... 36 Figure 16 Major Attractions in Berkshire County (Image Source: MassDOT) ............................ 44 3/26/2018 Berkshire Flyer: Pittsfield-New York City Feasibility Study LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Cape Flyer Schedule ......................................................................................................... 4 Table 2: Berkshire Flyer Alternatives Matrix ................................................................................. 9 Table 3: Contemplated Suggested Schedules - Option 1A ........................................................... 19 Table 4: Capital Cost Estimate Summary ..................................................................................... 25 Table 5: Option 1A Operating Cost Estimate Summary .............................................................. 27 Table 6: Number