Group seeks to promote enthusiasm for city rail
Toolbox
By STEPHANIE M. PETERS STAFF WRITER - Published: July 7, 2009
When Amtrak train service to Rutland faced the budgetary ax this spring, the strength and reasoning of the public's outcry played a significant role in convincing the state the train was worth saving.
Building on that momentum, a number of those same Rutland County citizens have banded together to form Friends of Rutland Rail, a volunteer organization that hopes it can make the Ethan Allen Express train service better on the smaller scale – raising awareness for the service in the community, acting as hosts on the trains and creating better connections with the bus networks, resorts and colleges.
The group said it believes it could play a significant role in generating increased ridership.
"While the train needs state money to run, there is much to be done that volunteers can do well, and maybe better than Amtrak can – and in a way that contributes to Rutland as a community," said Christopher Parker, executive director of the statewide grassroots advocacy group Vermont Rail Action Network.
Parker was one of about 15 people, rounded up through a chain of e-mails tossing around a rough idea for the group, which gathered at the home of Herb Russell and Roberto Deane in Rutland about two months ago to discuss the creation of a new, Rutland-centric advocacy organization.
"During that meeting we brainstormed," Deane said. "We brainstormed what is it we as private citizens can do and want to do to encourage ridership in and out of Rutland."
Some of the ideas to come out of that meeting included installing a public address system and new signage, as well as making Rutland's train station a place visitors will want to stop and check out in and of itself, whether through historic Amtrak displays or souvenir sales, he said.
In its organization and its purpose, Friends of Rutland Rail is taking inspiration from similar groups around the country, according to Parker.
In Maine, Trainriders/Northeast operates a program of volunteer train and station hosts who welcome passengers and field questions. In Arkansas and Texas, a group called Texas Eagle Marketing and Promotion Organization, or TEMPO, brought together mayors, chambers of commerce and travel agents to support Amtrak's Texas Eagle with projects including a Web site for the train that highlights local attractions.
Parker is working with Trainriders/Northeast to borrow its volunteer host training program and is looking for interested volunteers, he said.
And should Friends of Rutland Rail find success, he said Vermonters can expect to see similar groups start up in Bellows Falls, Randolph and possibly Burlington-Essex Junction.
"I'm really delighted at the energy that the volunteers have brought," he said. "In our planning group we have tremendous resources, connections and enthusiasm."
Since Friends of Rutland Rail's first meeting, weekly planning sessions have, fittingly, moved to the train station as the group prepares for its first community event on Friday. Planned to coincide with ArtHop and Friday Night Live, the group has commissioned watercolor artist Peter Huntoon to paint an original rail piece at the train station from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The painting will be raffled off at the end of the event, which will also feature live music and refreshments.
The $5 raffle tickets are on sale at downtown businesses including Avanti, Book King, Café Terra, The Gymnasium, Pyramid Health and Wellness Center, Rutland Natural Food Market and Tattersalls, and will also be sold during the event.
stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com
32