Thursday Feb. 9, 2012
Comments on: How Congress Runs The Railroad
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By Firebeam on 10-28-09
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In Washington State the State Department of Transportation (DOT) shares the cost of running the Amtrak Cascades.  It’s a very sucessful train with continually increasing ridership figures.  I don’t know any details beyond that, and I’m not saying this is the most appropriate or feasible way for other states.  I’m just offering it up as an option and example of what has been done elsewhere. 

I’m probably in the minority, being that I like train travel on Amtrak.  It’s not perfect—-I’ve endured many delays—-but the experience is mostly pleasurable.  Last time I enjoyed flying was in the 80s when it was fun to fly.  Now you need a day on each end of any plane trip to recover from the ordeal that is flying these days.  <sarcasm:>I just love being treated like cattle as I make my way through the airport to the plane where I can pay for over-priced and decidedly UN-tasty snacks and be ordered about by curt stewards.  Oh, and let’s not forget about the pilots that miss their stop.
By Vud on 10-28-09
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It is unreasonable to think that running passenger trains through large unpopulated routes are going to fund themselves by ticket sales alone.

This country relies on individual vehicles and the CHEAP GAS that powers them for their transportation.  Until this changes, taxpayer subsides are a necessary part of funding any passenger rail service.

If you ever have occasion to use the rail systems in Europe you will find it to be an amazing experience.  Several reasons why their systems work better than ours comes to mind:

Smaller countries, denser populations, priority given to passenger trains vs. freight trains and yes…they see funding their passenger service as..well, fundamental.

Will their model work here?  I don’t believe so, we’re just not ready yet.
By Firebeam on 10-28-09
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Excellent observations Vud.  I’ve ridden the rails in Britian; it’s old equipment, but they run on-time and the system functions extremely well.  I wouldn’t visit Europe without a railpass…its just the way to go when there. We could take a lesson, but you’re right…we’re just not ready.  Shame.