PROJECTED RIDERSHIP OF THE HOUSATONIC RAILROAD

STUDYPresented by Julie Pokela,

Ph.D.August, 2010

2

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to determine:Residents’ travel characteristics and preferred modes of transportation.NYC residents’ reasons for travel to northwestern CT and Berkshire County, MA.Experience and satisfaction with train travel. Interest in Housatonic Railroad’s proposed passenger train.

3

Methodology

Market Street Research conducted an online survey of 2,567 respondents, including: 2,316 residents of NYC. 251 residents of Litchfield and Berkshire

counties.NYC residents were screened to ensure that they have traveled to Berkshire or Litchfield County in the past year.Residents of Berkshire and Litchfield counties were screened to ensure that they have traveled to NYC in the past year.Respondents belong to an online panel operated by e-Rewards Market Research.

4

Methodology

All surveys were completed from 6/10-29/2010.The response rate for the survey was 12.9%. We weighted the data by calculating the total eligible population in each area based upon the percentage of residents in each area that were eligible to participate in the survey. The error rate for the study is ±1.1 to 1.9 percentage points. The margin of error information should be interpreted cautiously because the sample is a convenience sample.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS

6

Characteristics of Respondents

63.4% of respondents are women. Respondents’ median age is about 36 years old.82.6% of respondents are employed.Respondents’ median household income for 2009 was about $79,800.92.3% of respondents have a driver’s license.60.2% of respondents own a car.

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TRAVEL CHARACTERISTICS

8

Average Number of Trips to NYC or Northwestern CT/Berkshire County in Past Year

3.1

2.0

1.3 1.21.0 0.8

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

On weekend On weekday In Summer In Spring In Autumn In Winter

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Average Number of Trips to NYC or Northwestern CT/Berkshire County by Specific Transportation Methods in Past Year

2.7

1.10.9

0.4 0.3 0.10.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Automobile Train Combo train +other method

Rental car Bus Limo service

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Average Number of Trips to NYC or Northwestern CT/Berkshire County for Specific Reasons in Past Year

0.20.5

2.2 2.11.7 1.6 1.5

1.3

0.6

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

Withovernight

stay

By NYCMetro

friends,family*

Recreation,vacation

Visitfriends,family

Workcommute

BusinessAND

recreation

Otherbusiness

(non-commute)

Secondaryhome

School orcamp

* Asked only of residents of Berkshire County, MA and Litchfield County, CT (N=204).

** Asked only of residents of Berkshire County, MA and Litchfield County, CT (N=204).

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PREFERENCES FOR MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

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Preferences for Mode of Transportation

First Choice for Travel for Trips of Three Hours or More

2.0%

15.2%

33.9%

48.0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Airplane Private car Train Bus

Most likely to identify airplane as first choice.

Second Choice for Travel for Trips of Three Hours or More

7.5%

21.5%

31.3%

38.4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Train Private car Airplane Bus

Most likely to identify train as second choice.

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MAJOR REASONS FOR TRAVEL TO NORTHWESTERN CT AND

BERKSHIRE COUNTY

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Major Activities or Attractions for Travel Northbound

13.2%

41.1%35.5%

6.4%6.6%9.3%12.1%14.6%15.2%17.1%20.7%21.1%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Museums Hiking Musicconcerts

Spas,resorts, yoga

Biking Theatre Seminars,conferences

Skiing Danceconcerts

Otheroutdooractivities

Otheractivities

None, nomore

Residents tend to travel northbound for outdoor activities and arts and cultural destinations.

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EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION WITH TRAIN TRAVEL OVERALL

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Frequency of Travel by Train

Frequency of Travel by Train

Prefer not to answer

0.4%

Daily17.5%

Never8.3%

Less than once a year

16.8%

A few times a year39.0%

Monthly10.8%

Weekly7.3%

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Rating of Aspects of Train Travel*

Rating of Aspects of Train Travel*

5.86.06.56.86.97.07.3

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

Energyconservation

Convenience Overall Reliability Comfort Cleanliness Cost

* Asked of residents who have traveled by train (N=2,354).

** Asked of residents who have traveled by train (N=2,354).

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Relative Importance of Specific Factors in Likelihood of Taking a Train Between NYC and Litchfield/Berkshire County

0.2%

24.6%31.1%

44.0%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Cost Amenities Schedule Station location

Cost is most important.

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Market Segments for Train Travel

Market Segments

Cost Driven37.7%

Amenity Driven24.8%Schedule

Driven23.4%

Station Driven13.9%

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Interest in Specific Services and Options

** Asked only of Northbound residents (N=2,363).

Likelihood of Purchasing Business Class

Very likely4.5%

Somewhat likely16.6%

Somewhat unlikely20.9%

Very unlikely57.5%

Prefer not to answer

0.5%

Importance of AllowingBicycles on Train*

Prefer not to answer

0.9%

Not important

51.2%

Somewhat important

33.9%Very

important14.0%

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Shorter Train Trips in Berkshire County and Northwestern CT

** Asked only of Southbound residents (N=204).** Asked only of Southbound residents interested in shorter train trips (N=166).

Interest in Shorter Train Trips in Berkshire County and Northwest Connecticut*

Very interested

34.3%

Somewhat interested

47.0%

Not interested

18.7%

Frequency of Train Trips in Berkshire County and Northwest Connecticut**

Daily1.0%

Weekly5.9%

Monthly23.0%

A few times a year58.8%

Less than once a year

9.8%

Prefer not to answer

1.5%

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Interest in Train Travel Between New York City and Northwestern Connecticut and the Berkshires

Very interested

26.0%

Somewhat interested

58.4%

Not interested

14.8%

Prefer not to answer

0.7%

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Estimated Daily One-Way Tickets by Quarter

3,2564,070

5,2914,884

7,3837,998

6,152

4,922

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Low-End Estimate

High-End Estimate

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Major Reasons Interested in Train Between NYC and Northwestern CT and Berkshire County (N=2,081)

Preference for Train as Mode of Transportation:

Ease of use, convenience (28.4%) Dislikes driving (20.3%) Comfortable, relaxing, can do other

activities (14.9%) Other positive attributes (10.8%)

“It would provide a more convenient option. It would increase the probability

of me visiting this location.”

“I don’t have a car, so the train is a great way for me to travel.”

“I could relax and look out the window, or read a book and listen to my music.”

Fondness for Destination:

Enjoys area for getaways, activities, second home (21.9%)

Visiting friends, family in area (10.5%)

“To get to cultural attractions (Mass MOCA, Clark Museum, Tanglewood, etc.),

to see other sights, to take weekend getaways.”

“I would love to have access to the skiing areas in the Berkshires without needing to drive there, as well as the spa resorts and hiking areas in the spring and summer.”

“My husband and I love the Berkshires. We have many friends there, and are

often invited to stay with them.”

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Major Reasons Not Interested in Train Between NYC and Northwestern CT and Berkshire County (N=385)

Limited visits to area (34.3%)

“I only went there once, and don’t have a specific reason to go again.”

“I don’t travel there enough to warrant any need for the train.”

Preference for Other Mode of Transportation:

Prefer driving (30.3%) Train less convenient (15.3%) Region best explored by car

(12.9%) Other negative attributes

(16.8%)

“I prefer to drive, and have control over what time I leave, and I do not find driving that expensive.”

“Leaving from Grand Central Station or Penn Station is not at all attractive to someone who lives in the

Bronx. It is just not convenient at all.”

“I like to travel around Berkshire County by car as the area is rural. The places I visit are sometimes widely

spaced apart so a car is needed for my travels. It makes no sense to take a train and then rent a car.”

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What Would Train Line Have to Offer to Become an Attractive Option? (N=385)

Don't know, nothing (43.4%) “Nothing would make it an attractive option to me.”

Inexpensive, competitive fares/parking (27.3%)

“Lower price. Combo deal with local hotel. Bonus tickets to local museum or attraction.”

“Free parking at local train stations.”

Specific transportation options at station (11.4%)

“Convenience of being near car rental once I’m up there.”

“Maybe if there was an extension or a connection in the Berkshires/Massachusetts or Northwestern Connecticut to a train

heading to New Hampshire.”

“Shuttle to the train.”

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Preferred Transportation After Arrival in Northwestern CT or Berkshire County*

Preferred Method of Transportation After Arrival in Northwestern Connecticut or Berkshire County*

10.1%3.1%3.1%3.7%6.0%9.4%11.5%

17.9%

34.3%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Rental car Taxi Zip car Hotelshuttle

Bus Tracklesstrolley

Bicycle Limousine None ofthe above

Rental car is most preferred.

* Asked of Northbound residents (N=2,363).

** Asked only of Northbound residents (N=2,363).

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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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Summary

There is interest among residents in NYC and northwestern CT and Berkshire County, MA in a train that would travel between these areas. About one in four residents who currently travel between those two areas are highly interested in the proposed train line.Ridership would be largest during the summer months and smallest during the winter months.

3,2564,070

5,2914,884

7,3837,998

6,1524,922

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

Spring Summer Autumn Winter

Low-End Estimate

High-End Estimate

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Summary (cont.)

Currently, residents are most likely to travel between these areas on the weekends, using a car.Residents generally travel between these areas for recreation and vacations or to visit with friends and family.Residents generally stay overnight when traveling between these areas. NYC residents mostly mentioned traveling northbound for outdoor activities and for arts and cultural destinations. Residents have a positive attitude toward train travel in general.

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Summary (cont.)

Residents are most likely to feel positively about train travel’s minimal impact on the environment, convenience, reliability, and comfort. Cost is the most important factor for residents when deciding whether to take a train between these areas. Southbound residents indicated fairly high interest in taking shorter train trips within northwestern CT and Berkshire County, MA. Northbound residents would like to see travel options for their stay available at or near the station of their arrival, with a clear preference for rental cars.

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Recommendations

Housatonic Railroad should consider introducing the train line with competitive pricing.It is also important for Housatonic Railroad to provide a high-quality experience for residents who use the proposed train line. Housatonic Railroad must be able to ensure reliable and convenient service. Housatonic Railroad may want to consider providing a wider range of amenities such as food, beverages, and free WiFi on the train. Housatonic Railroad may want to consider seasonal schedules, with more frequent trains available in the spring and summer months.

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Recommendations (cont.)

Housatonic Railroad should consider a more frequent schedule on the weekends.Housatonic Railroad may want to consider working with a rental car agency to provide rental car locations at station points in northwestern CT and Berkshire County, MA.