By Domenic Poli
GREENFIELD >> Greenfield Mayor Bill Martin and the mayors of two other Massachusetts cities along the Interstate 91 corridor signed a letter today to the state transportation secretary regarding rail service.
Martin joined Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse and Mayor David J. Narkewicz in signing the letter to Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack to express their support for increased rail service between their cities and Springfield.
According to the letter, ridership has increased 67 percent since the Amtrak Vermonter began operating along the I-91 corridor in January. Based on these numbers, ridership for Greenfield, Northampton and Holyoke will be more than 20,000, nearly 25 percent of the total Vermonter annual ridership.
The letter mentions a portion of the Knowledge Corridor Feasibility Study that states expanded rail service can generate economic benefits specific to Greenfield, Holyoke and Northampton. Rail service to Greenfield would support the city’s growing downtown arts, food and culture scene that includes the Greenfield Galleries and the soon-to-be-open Arts Block venue and performing space.
Holyoke could strengthen its core downtown assets that include an arts and innovation district and numerous small and start-up businesses. Northampton’s artistic, cultural, educational and tourism attractions would also be easily accessed by rail service, according to the letter.
