Traveling to NACE next week from pretty much anywhere in the Northeast? Take the train! It's fun, it's the most sustainable way to travel, and usually it's the most cost effective too!
A huge portion of attendees are traveling from roughly the same places in Maine, to exactly the same place in Rhode Island. Even though there are a lot of folks traveling from rural areas, I guarantee a majority of attendees will be traveling from within 40 miles of a train station. (University of Maine Darling Marine Center is 34 miles from the Brunswick Train Station ;) )
Being associated with aquaculture, most people are already calibrated to think about sustainability. Why would we all drive our cars, multiplying our pollution over and over when there's a way more sustainable option? Anybody talking about sustainability should strongly consider the implications of driving and compare that with a nice train ride.
Why waste all the time driving to the conference, just to pay $20/night to park your car and let it sit there? Parking alone will cost more money than tickets to travel on the train for most folks.
Common excuses debunked:
"It takes too long/my time is too valuable" - Time driving is time wasted. Sure, the train does take longer for some people. Time sitting on the train is time you get back! Need to work? They have internet. Want to relax? It's a beautiful ride. Why white-knuckle through traffic when you can lean your chair back and snooze.
"It's more expensive" - I highly doubt it. Driving from Brunswick, ME to Providence, RI will cost about $60 in gas, plus $20/night in parking. A round trip train ticket is $53.30...
"It's too complicated!" - You're smart people, I challenge you to try. Plus, I've included instructions!
Traveling from Maine? Take the Amtrak Downeaster train to Boston North Station. Take the MBTA Orange Line from North Station to Back Bay Station. Ride either the Amtrak Northeast Regional, Amtrak Acela, or MBTA Commuter Rail from Back Bay Station to Providence Station. The Omni Hotel is just a 10 minute walk from the station.
Travel time including connections is 5 hours, and round trip tickets only cost $53.30!
Traveling from somewhere south of Providence, RI but North of Virginia? Take either the Amtrak Northeast Regional or Amtrak Acela to Providence Station.
We're blessed in the Northeast to have the most functional rail system in the US, we owe it to ourselves to use it!
Anne Langston Noll Gulf of Maine Ventures Annie Fagan Maxwell Burtis Nick Planson Katie Weiler Viable Gear
