Owners of tourist railroads pitch plan to reopen
Passengers could be limited to NH residents at first
Andy Hershberger
SAY THE TIME WHEN THEY CAN MAKE MONEY IS SLOWLY SLIPPING AWAY. THE TOURIST RAILROAD INDUSTRY IN THE STATE IS PROPOSING A FOUR PHASED APPROACH TO REOPENING ITS BUSINESSES, STARTING IMMEDIATELY. >> COVID-19 COULDN'T HAVE HIT AT A WORSE TIME. ALL SEASONAL OPERATORS TRY TO OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE SPRING TO STOP THE WINTER HEMORRHAGING OF CAPITOL. MANY OF US SIGN CONTRACTS AND MAKE COMMITMENTS TO COMPLETE PROJECTS THAT ONLY CAN HAPPEN IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. ANDY: FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE, TRAINS WOULD RUN AT 50% CAPACITY AND ROUTES COULD BE SHORTENED TO LIMIT EXPOSURE. ARRANGEMENTS COULD ALSO BE MADE FOR AT-RISK PASSENGERS TO BE SEGREGATED FROM THE REST OF THE CROWD. >> INITIALLY, WE COULD OPEN THE TOURIST TRAIN TO NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS ONLY, OR PROVIDE SEPARATE COACHES FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE RESIDENTS AND OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS. ANDY: PASSENGERS WOULD ALSO NOT BE ALLOWED TO ROAM AROUND THE CARS AND WOULD HAVE TO WEAR FACE MASKS IF SOMEONE IS SEATED LESS THAN SIX FEET AWAY. THE TASK FORCE ALSO HEARD FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY TODAY. THEY WANT TO NOW MOVE TO THE SECOND PHASE OF REOPENING WITH BAR SEATING AND SOME INDOOR DINING, SAYING OUTSIDE DINING ONLY HELPS A LITTLE. >> I HOPE THE TASK FORCE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS AN APPRECIATION THAT THIS BY NO STRETCH IS HELPING THEM PAY THE BILLS. IT'S BETTER THAN JUST TAKE OUT AND DELIVERY, BUT IT'S ONLY A LITTLE BIT BETTE ANDY: THE TASK FORCE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO VOTE ON SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT INCLUDE THE OPENING OF MOVIE THEATERS LATER THIS
Officials with the tourist railroad industry made their pitch Monday to New Hampshire's reopening task force to get their attractions back on track.>> Download the free WMUR appTourist trains are a seasonal business, and owners said the time when they can make money is slowly slipping away. The industry is proposing a four-phase approach to reopening, starting immediately."COVID-19 couldn't have hit at a worse time," said Wayne Presby, owner of the Cog Railroad. "All seasonal operators try to open as soon as possible in the spring to stop the winter hemorrhaging of capital. Many of us sign contracts to complete projects that only can happen in the summer months."Under the proposal, trains would run at 50% capacity and routes could be shortened to limit exposure during the month of June. Arrangements could also be made for at-risk passengers to be segregated from the rest of the crowd."Initially we could open the trains to New Hampshire residents only or provide separate coaches for New Hampshire residents and out-of-state residents," Presby said.Passengers would also not be allowed to roam around the cars and would have to wear face masks if someone is seated less than 6 feet away.The task force also heard from the restaurant industry. Owners said they would like to move to the second phase of reopening with bar seating and some indoor dining, saying outdoor dining only helps a little."I hope the task force and the governor's office has an appreciation that this by no stretch pays the bills," said Mike Somers, of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. "It's better than just takeout and delivery, but it's only a little bit better."The task force is also expected to vote on several recommendations, including the opening of movie theaters, later this week.
CONCORD, N.H. —
Officials with the tourist railroad industry made their pitch Monday to New Hampshire's reopening task force to get their attractions back on track.
Tourist trains are a seasonal business, and owners said the time when they can make money is slowly slipping away. The industry is proposing a four-phase approach to reopening, starting immediately.
"COVID-19 couldn't have hit at a worse time," said Wayne Presby, owner of the Cog Railroad. "All seasonal operators try to open as soon as possible in the spring to stop the winter hemorrhaging of capital. Many of us sign contracts to complete projects that only can happen in the summer months."
Under the proposal, trains would run at 50% capacity and routes could be shortened to limit exposure during the month of June. Arrangements could also be made for at-risk passengers to be segregated from the rest of the crowd.
"Initially we could open the trains to New Hampshire residents only or provide separate coaches for New Hampshire residents and out-of-state residents," Presby said.
Passengers would also not be allowed to roam around the cars and would have to wear face masks if someone is seated less than 6 feet away.
The task force also heard from the restaurant industry. Owners said they would like to move to the second phase of reopening with bar seating and some indoor dining, saying outdoor dining only helps a little.
"I hope the task force and the governor's office has an appreciation that this by no stretch pays the bills," said Mike Somers, of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association. "It's better than just takeout and delivery, but it's only a little bit better."
The task force is also expected to vote on several recommendations, including the opening of movie theaters, later this week.