Train Troubles Continue in Plymouth Despite Community Push for Change
In the city of Plymouth, trains are causing more than just minor disruptions. Despite calls from locals and officials for change, the issue seems far from resolved. Frequent and unpredictable delays, sometimes exceeding an hour, continue to affect the day-to-day lives of residents and businesses in the area.
Affecting Local Businesses
A women-only gym, HALE Strength and Shape, located off Main Street, appears to be one of the businesses mostly hit by these train delays. One of the gym’s staff voiced concerns about how their morning classes get delayed due to the unpredictability of train timings.
Customers too, feel the crunch of these erratic delays. From brushing snow off their cars while waiting to missed gym sessions, local residents express increasing frustration with the issue. One local business owner, who runs a pet salon, spoke about how the frequent and unpredictable train schedules disrupt her business operations frequently.
Calls for Local Regulation
Despite the growing frustrations among the community, the issue of control over these trains is a tangled web. Since trains are considered interstate transport and are therefore federally regulated, local leaders are left with little power to enact change.
The solution, some say, lies in legislation. Currently, trains can block intersections for hours, a situation described as “unacceptable” and potentially “life-threatening”. There have been numerous discussions held with the Federal Railroad Administration, legislators and local leaders, all in efforts to find a solution. Yet, the issue remains.
The Ongoing Struggle
The city is no stranger to this problem. Records show complaints go as far back as 2017, and despite various attempts to find solutions, including the launch of a website to report blocked railroad crossings in 2020 and developing an app in 2021, the situation seems no closer to being resolved.
The consensus in the Plymouth community remains – the issue is affecting the quality of life for many and needs to be urgently addressed, but those with the power to change seem unable – or unwilling – to do so.
