NYC to Berkshire: Rail Service Survey

Berkshire Weekend Flyer Train Working Group Feedback

Thank you for participating in our survey. Your feedback is important. We are pleased to have been included in the Berkshire Flyer Working Group of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Realtor Billy Keane, Board Member and Government Affairs Committee Member, was appointed to represent our association in this capacity.

The Berkshire Flyer Workgroup is examining if it might be possible to replicate the success of the Cape Flyer and establish seasonal weekend passenger service between Pittsfield and New York City using the existing passenger rail system. This is a COMPLETELY NEW APPROACH, as there may be a viable option to use existing rail in NY instead of CT.

We have been asked to provide research reports (NAR has many) on this topics as it relates to home values. We also want to ask you a few questions based on your expert knowledge as a small business owner in the Berkshires, as a representative of Buyers and Sellers of real estate and as active community members.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on these questions. Billy will bring summary answers (no identification information) to the group for review.

1.Would you support an initiative to expand weekend rail service to/from the Berkshires and NYC?

2.Do you believe this type of train service would be of value to your community?

3.Do you believe property values could increase due to accessibility to New York city?

4.Would you market the value of train service to potential clients?

5.How connected do you feel Berkshire REALTORS are to understanding homeowner or visitor transportation needs?

6.Would you use this type of service if it existed?

I would personally use this service.

I would personally use this service, as would my friends/family.

I wouldn't use this service, but DO believe it would be widely used

I wouldn't use this service, and DON'T believe it would be widely used

7.Do you believe that an investment in developing our rail systems should be an important goal?

8.If you believe this service would be widely used, what demographics do you most likely believe would use this service?

Residents of NY who want to visit the Berkshires on the weekends

Second homeowners who live in the Berkshires on the weekends

Residents of MA who want to visit NYC on the weekends

Other (please specify)

9.What industries do you believe could be positively impacted by the service?

Creative Economy (theaters, museums, venues)

Transportation (taxi, uber, smartcar, buses)

Retail (shops, cafes, restaurants)

Lodging (hotels, motels, Inns, home rentals)

Construction (home/commercial builders, remodelers)

Financial (lenders)

Other (please specify)

10.Comments you wish to share about this topic?

11.Your name (confidential to the workgroup, just In case we have more questions)