People are leaving Massachusetts in droves. Who are they?

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

It’s only New Bedford and Fall River that are well below their peak population in the 1920s. Both were more than 120k population. Like usual, it all comes down to transportation infrastructure. Route 24 and the Southeast Expressway/I-93 are abysmal. South Coast rail continues to be delayed and Phase 1 is unusable since it’s likely to be a scheduled 80 to 90 minutes.

This is true. I didn't realize that Lowell had surpassed its historic peak as of 2020. Lawrence, Fitchburg, and Lynn are also below their historic highs, but not drastically so.

SCR isn't going to be a gamechanger at 80+ minutes. It won't really change things until/if/when an electrified phase 2 happens. That trip needs to be under an hour from Fall River and New Bedford, and that's not an unreasonable ask using widely available (not even Acela/high speed) electric rolling stock (even the old Amtrak NE Regionals hit 125mph between Attleboro and Canton as they do the PVD-BOS trip in 38 minutes). But weaving it through Middleborough and up via the log-jammed Old Colony Line is not the answer.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Think about what that billion $$$ a year going towards migrants, could have done for our highways and the MBTA.

sickening to think about...but no one on this forum will be outraged by the amount that is spent on migrants. They'll just continue to whine about why things are the way they are and blame NIMBYism.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by lrfox

This is true. I didn't realize that Lowell had surpassed its historic peak as of 2020. Lawrence, Fitchburg, and Lynn are also below their historic highs, but not drastically so.

SCR isn't going to be a gamechanger at 80+ minutes. It won't really change things until/if/when an electrified phase 2 happens. That trip needs to be under an hour from Fall River and New Bedford, and that's not an unreasonable ask using widely available (not even Acela/high speed) electric rolling stock (even the old Amtrak NE Regionals hit 125mph between Attleboro and Canton as they do the PVD-BOS trip in 38 minutes). But weaving it through Middleborough and up via the log-jammed Old Colony Line is not the answer.

Whatever the timeline has been for Phase 1, I don't expect Phase 2 to be any less from when Phase 1 is complete. It's a lost cause.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

sickening to think about...but no one on this forum will be outraged by the amount that is spent on migrants. They'll just continue to whine about why things are the way they are and blame NIMBYism.

NIMBYism is certainly part of the problem, but I'm one who is somewhat optimistic that those concerns can be eased if the congestion and infrastructure problems are better addressed. I place more of them blame at the top, than at the bottom. That's why we need leaders. Where are they?

[msRB311]

The amount that was spent on migrants instead of on people already living here who need to get to work is a disgrace. The powers that be in MA don't care about the people who get up every day and go to work. That is clear

[msRB311]

It's actually comical that the state found it more worthwhile to pay billions on illegal migrants than to use that money to fix the MBTA for taxpayers. Says a lot about life in MA.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

It's actually comical that the state found it more worthwhile to pay billions on illegal migrants than to use that money to fix the MBTA for taxpayers. Says a lot about life in MA.

Even though "I" didn't vote for any of these people, I'm still embarrassed for "us". As we all should be.

[msRB311]

I'm angry.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

I'm angry.

If you are not, there is something wrong with you.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by massnative71

NIMBYism is certainly part of the problem, but I'm one who is somewhat optimistic that those concerns can be eased if the congestion and infrastructure problems are better addressed. I place more of them blame at the top, than at the bottom. That's why we need leaders. Where are they?

Yes! Adding more housing alone is not going to fix the problems without upgrading the infrastructure first. Even if the state creates additional shelter for people, those people will still need to move around freely to work, buy groceries, receive utilities as well as fulfilling many other needs. The state has been ****-poor at expanding infrastructure since the 1970's. In my opinion the problems of housing affordability go way beyond just the physical supply of housing.