BRATTLEBORO, VT – Amtrak announced on Nov. 19, 2020, that it is in discussions with the Town of Brattleboro, NECR Railroad and the State of Vermont on its proposal for a new, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant Brattleboro station, including a new station building, platform and track changes. The new station will feature the first level-boarding platform in Vermont. Measuring approximately 48 inches above track, the proposed platform will allow customers to move on or off a train without having to step up or down. Additional ADA-compliant amenities include parking, ramps and steps up to the platform level, lights, signage, a new waiting room with an attached restroom and covered outdoor seating.
“Improving our public transportation infrastructure is a key step in combatting climate change and transforming our economy into one that is more energy efficient. Investments like the proposed new Amtrak platform and station in Brattleboro will continue to strengthen Vermont’s public transportation network, improve our economic stability, and better serve passengers with disabilities. This proposal is an important first step and I look forward to it becoming a reality,” said U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
“We are very pleased to receive positive feedback from the various stakeholders on the design of this station that will provide modern accessibility features for a better customer experience,” said Amtrak Vice President of Stations, Facilities, Properties and Accessibility David Handera. “We thank our local and state partners for their support and help in turning this long-awaited project into a reality.”
“Vermont’s weather presents challenges to travelers all year round. Amtrak’s investment in an ADA accessible platform and station will ensure that all rail passengers in Brattleboro will have a safe, warm, welcoming place to wait for and board the train. In our rural state, passenger rail represents a vital link for Vermonters and tourists alike. This new station in one of the gateways to Vermont will be a worthy addition to our transportation system.”
U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
“As we work to increase and improve passenger train travel throughout Vermont, these improvements to the Brattleboro station will greatly benefit travelers from Vermont and the region,” said Governor Phil Scott. “We look forward to resuming Amtrak service in Vermont as quickly and safely as possible. We’ll be watching the regional COVID data closely and hope to start service again as nearby counties see lower caseloads.”
“Passenger rail is a real priority for Vermont businesses and local communities,” said Congressman Peter Welch. “I’m pleased to hear that this proposed station in Brattleboro will exceed accessibility requirements for those with disabilities. This an important step to make Vermont more accessible.”
“We are very excited about the new design for the Brattleboro station,” said Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn. “Passenger train travel is a valuable component of Vermont’s multi-modal transportation system, and these improvements will go a long way to modernize our system and serve a more diverse group of travelers.”
“This project began as a joint effort by Amtrak and the Town of Brattleboro to bring our existing station into ADA compliance,” recalled Brattleboro Town Manager Peter Elwell. “Thanks to the commitment and collaboration of Amtrak, VTrans, elected and appointed officials at all levels of government, and the host railroad, we now will have a brand new station that will exceed minimum ADA compliance to provide a fully accessible facility that also will enhance the local built environment and our regional economy.”
The station will continue to feature a staffed attendant within an hour of a train’s departure or arrival time and will also now feature a bike rack and a covered outdoor space. The Vermonter (Washington-New York-Springfield-St. Albans) is financed primarily through funds made available by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. In Amtrak’s 2019 fiscal year, Brattleboro station provided 16,765 customer trips to passengers.
Posted Nov. 19, 2020.
Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources.
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