VTrans is conducting a legislative study of the feasibility of a Montpelier - St. Albans Commuter Rail service. The study is evaluating the financial and operational feasibility of a commuter rail service in the corridor between St. Albans, Essex Junction, and Montpelier, with connecting services to Burlington and focusing on peak commutes.
The approach to the study is to evaluate commuter service to understand associated capital and operating costs, and the demand for the service, and operational issues so that the feasibility of service in the future can be better understood. The focus of the study is not to develop a plan to implement a commuter rail service but rather to understand the scale and scope of such a program.
More information on this study is available at vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/projects-programs/commuter-rail
Two conceptual schedules for the service were developed and based on different levels of peak service with a daily transit demands of 940-1,835 in the corridor region. Additionally, estimated capital and operating costs were developed to understand the implications of service costs. Initial costs included: Capital Costs of $301-363 Million, including stations, right-of-way improvement, and equipment. Capital cost variations are primarily influenced by federal technology requirements and are based on the number of trains operated daily. Operating Costs: $4.9-8.9 Million annually, including labor costs, administration, and equipment maintenance and operations. Operating costs would depend on the number of trains operated daily.
