The Bureau of Rail & Transit is comprised of the following two sections:

Railroads | Public Transportation | Bicycle & Pedestrian (part of Highway Design effective 02/15/19)

Railroads: The railroad programs include track inspection and safety investigation in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration, a revolving loan program for railroads, a dedicated railroad fund for improvements to state-owned rail lines, and acquisition and preservation of railroad corridors for future use. The Department completed work on an updated State Rail Plan in June 2012.

Recent rail-related projects, studies & solicitations:

• 2019 Conway Branch Railroad Line Request for Information (RFI)(posted 03/14/19)
  • Conway Branch Railroad Line Feasibility Study (dated June 30, 2004)
  • State of NH's deed for the Conway Branch (includes Boston & Maine Corporation's perpetual exclusive freight rail transportation easement)
  • Questions & Answers (to be posted no sooner than 03/25/19 & updated as needed)

Information on previous rail-related projects, studies, etc.

• NH Capitol Corridor: project website is temporarily unavailable, but the Final Report is still available.
  • The project included a study of potential rail and bus transit investments in the NH Capitol Corridor, which connects the major population centers of New Hampshire to metropolitan Boston, and the development of a service development plan and related documents for intercity passenger rail between Boston, MA and Concord, NH. This study took a multimodal, systems-wide approach in the development of a menu of alternatives that were provided for review and consideration for the public and policymakers.

Public Transportation: The public transportation program includes federal grants for transit operations, capital improvements, planning, technical assistance and training.

• Request for Qualifications: Long Term Lease/Concession Agreement of the Dover and Portsmouth Bus Terminals (posted 06/24/19)
  • The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is seeking a partnership through execution of a Facilities Lease/Concession Agreement with a private entity to undertake the development and long-term operation of its two bus terminals/park & ride lots located in Portsmouth and Dover, NH.  Qualification packages must be submitted in accordance with the solicitation, by 2:30pm on August 16, 2019. 
  • Questions & Answers to Facility Operator Inquiry Forms received (posted on 08/02/19)
    • Form 1a(posted on 08/02/19)
    • Form 2a(posted on 08/02/19)
    • Reference Documents
      • Current Operator/NHDOT Agreements
        • Dover
        • Portsmouth
      • 2017 and historic facility operating costs
        • Dover
        • Portsmouth
      • Parking utilization data (Dover and Portsmouth)
      • Site & Building Plans
        • Dover - site plan
        • Dover - building
        • Portsmouth - original site plan
        • Portsmouth - 1st expansion
        • Portsmouth - 2nd expansion
        • Portsmouth - building
      • Applicable FHWA and FTA requirements (List is not exhaustive)
        • FHWA - 23 CFR 810
        • FHWA - Civil Rights
        • FTA - Transit Asset Management
        • FTA - Civil Rights & Americans with Disabilities Act
      • NHDOT-FHWA Early Development Agreement (EDA)
• Statewide Strategic Transit Assessment (SSTA) Study: The NHDOT oversees 11 public transit providers in the state, as well as intercity bus transportation supplied by a range of private companies. The transit systems range from rural areas in the north and west to more urbanized systems in the south and east. The providers range from private non-profit corporations, to community action programs, to city departments and authorities, to the University of New Hampshire. The Statewide Strategic Transit Assessment Study will bring together all available information about current public transportation service in the state and employ a series of inputs to develop a plan to improve the delivery of public transit service for New Hampshire residents and visitors. For more information, please visit the SSTA project website: www.nhtransitstudy.com
• FTA GRANT & FUNDING INFO for State of NH Fiscal Year 2019 (including applications & other pertinent documents for SFY19 and prior years)
• Map of NH Transit Services with contact info
• STATE COORDINATING COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION (SCC) information

Bicycle and Pedestrian: This program assists individuals, communities and groups to improve opportunities for non-motorized travel. (Please note effective 02/15/19 the Bicycle & Pedestrian Section has moved to the Bureau of Highway Design)

State Bicycle Maps are available.

Ridesharing: Online ridematching software will assist those who wish to carpool and information about the state's park & ride lots can be found for transit users, carpools and vanpools.

Bureau Projects: Information on recent & noteworthy projects