In brief, we found a big problem with the petition we launched at Change.org last month. We had used the platform in 2015 for a petition focused on Massachusetts. (You can read that here; we had nearly 5,000 signatures. You can see some of the comments left then here.) It was easy to start a new petition at the same site, and we unfortunately did not realize just how much Change.org had changed for the worse.
Hundreds of people added their signatures. And—here’s what we didn’t know—they were then asked to make a donation. But not to our campaign and outreach efforts. Instead, the money, more than $500, went straight to Change.org. You’ll hear just what we think about that in the video above!
The new petition is focused on Connecticut, urging legislators and local leaders to jump aboard by funding the planning for reactivation of the Housatonic and Maybrook Lines. The full text appears below.
We have put a warning on the existing petition page and are notifying our supporters. And we’re looking for another platform—you’ll hear about this as soon as we’re up and running somewhere else. It’s fine to sign the existing petition, but if you want to make a donation, please make it directly to the Train Campaign’s petition outreach donor page by clicking here (and it’s tax-deductible). And if you’re curious about the rational offered by Change.org, it’s below.1 (A Reddit post says that they are a for-profit company, but we haven’t dug into this. It’s the deceptive wording they use with supporters that really has us riled.)
Read more about it here:
Petition text: Urge Connecticut to study Maybrook & Housatonic Line reactivation
In recent years, there has been a growing interest across the United States in the restoration of passenger rail services on dormant rail lines. States like Maryland, New York, and Montana have already embarked on this journey, recognizing the immense potential for economic growth, improved transportation systems, and environmental benefits. Connecticut stands at the cusp of similar transformational change.
We call upon the Connecticut Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to explore the reactivation of passenger rail service on the Maybrook and Housatonic (aka Berkshire) rail lines. This study should aim to determine the most economically beneficial and least costly options for reactivating these lines, with findings made available to Connecticut legislators by January 2027.
The reactivation of these rail lines offers a visionary solution to our state’s pressing challenges. Connecticut, like much of the nation, faces critical issues such as a severe housing shortage and escalating automobile congestion. By tapping into existing infrastructure, we can encourage transit-oriented development, diversify housing supply, and expand sustainable and green transportation options.
The Maybrook Line is of particular interest as it integrates the Waterbury, Danbury, and Harlem Metro-North lines, offering a new east-west transportation corridor that could connect Connecticut with New York. Meanwhile, the revival of the Housatonic Line presents an opportunity to reconnect communities along the Massachusetts border, revitalizing a historic route between Pittsfield, MA, and Danbury, CT.
The infrastructure for this change already exists, with tracks in place and several former stations still standing. The potential benefits include enhancing accessibility, stimulating local economies, and significantly reducing traffic and emissions.
We urge the Connecticut Department of Transportation to undertake this feasibility study with an eye towards determining which project would yield the greatest benefits while being the most feasible to implement.
By signing this petition, you are championing a vision for a greener and more connected Connecticut, committed to investing in innovative, practical transportation solutions. Let’s take a step towards a more interconnected, sustainable future.
Let's get Connecticut on board!
We’ve launched a new petition to get our wonderful sister state to jump aboard the Train Campaign! Please add your signature to get things moving again! Thanks to CT citizen Matt Silber who wrote the petition. Full text also appears below, for your information and to share.
Hi Matthew,
Thank you for reaching out and for the time and effort you’ve put into supporting the petition and the campaign.
We’d like to clarify how donations on Change.org work. Donations made on Change.org are not funds that go directly to petition campaigns or volunteers. These contributions support Change.org’s platform, including maintaining the site, improving tools, and helping amplify petitions through promotions and outreach.
If the petition creator chooses, they can use Change.org’s promotion tools (such as promoted petitions) to help increase visibility and gather more signatures. However, these tools are managed by Change.org, and the donation funds themselves are not withdrawable or transferable for campaign expenses like printing flyers, hosting events, or other offline activities.
