Riding the Rails

During the 1850's, the nation was expanding. California had just opened, and there was a need to unite the coasts. The railways were built, largely with federal funding.

Today, for this vast nation with large pockets of clogged highways, AMTRAK has been getting very little federal aid since its creation in 1971 as a public service corporation.

Japan and Western European countries have modern, fast rail services, with modern equipment and solid rail beds coursing throughout their territories with governmental assistance. They are a public service, not meant to make a profit, anymore than public libraries or public schools, although the rail passengers do pay for their tickets.

In our country, AMTRAK has aging equipment, has to use the freight railroad beds and has very little money for rolling stock and track capacity, especially at critical “chokepoints” where delays occur with freight trains.

With soaring gasoline and airfare prices, more Americans need mass transit and AMTRAK to get to their destinations.

The American people have to ask themselves how robust and convenient a modern passenger rail system they want. As good as the one in Canada? As good as the systems in France and Germany?

Given the distances we must travel, the high fuel costs, and the impact of fossil fuels on our environment, America can justify a first-class, high-speed passenger rail system that will save more than it costs.