Champlain Flyer
The Champlain Flyer was a commuter train that operated in Vermont between Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte during 2000-03.
The service was started to provide an alternative to US 7 during its construction and to take advantage of public funds earmarked for public transportation. The train began operation on December 4, 2000, with two daily round-trips, with plans to operate as many as ten. Startup costs were $18 million, most of which were provided by Federal government for improving the tracks and grade crossings along the route. At the time of its inception, it was the shortest commuter rail system in the United States.
The service's rolling stock consisted of a rebuilt Vermont Railway GP38-2 and ten ex-Virginia Railway Express de-motored RDC cars. Two of these cars were outfitted with cab control. Fares were $1 for a one-way trip, collected on the honor system by being deposited in a box upon entering the train.
The train never attracted the ridership that was hoped for and, in 2002, it was threatened to be cut from the state budget. The newly elected Gov. Jim Douglas decided that the train was not viable, and the last train ran on February 28, 2003.
