President Obama's Plan for High Speed Rail

[Mermaid]

President Obama Lays Out Plans for High-Speed Train Travel - ABC News

There was a story in the paper this morning highlighting the Midwest portion of the plan. St. Louis, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago and more would be connected. A trip that takes us more than three hours by car would be under three hours by rail.

I am a great believer in public transportation. We take the Megabus up to Chicago on a fairly regular basis, just for mini-vacations. We don't have to drive, we don't have to pay the tolls, and we don't have to pay $45/night city parking either. I'd be thrilled if I could take a train as well as a bus!

So what do you think. Is the President on the right track? (sorry for the pun ) Is this money well spent and do you think people might give up car driving for the train if it were available? Would you choose train over air if the total time involved were similar?

 

[Andy A]

If its as successful and profitable as AMTRAK it would be wonderful! Seriously, if it was properly structured and run by private or even semi-private operation it could be very useful and, yes, I would use such transportation instead of flying where the hassles have become counterproductive.

 

[hnooe]

If its as successful and profitable as AMTRAK it would be wonderful! Seriously, if it was properly structured and run by private or even semi-private operation it could be very useful and, yes, I would use such transportation instead of flying where the hassles have become counterproductive.

I agree 100% --also, certain corridors make total cent$ and should be profitable with flying being such a hassle.

 

[scooterbug44]

I think it's a great idea! I have been wanting this for years!

Not only do I absolutely love train travel, but airline travel continues to get more uncomfortable/rude and less reliable.

One major thing to consider is that different generations of families are living further and further apart and many drivers are getting older. How wonderful if they can take a train to travel those long distances. Trains and other public transportation allow many more older people to remain independent longer and as a bonus it makes the roads safer.

Plus, I am sure many divorced parents living far apart would love to be able to put a pre-driving kid on a train instead of paying for a $$ airline ticket.

You save time, have fewer weather delays (though currently freight trumps passenger and this causes delays), don't have to worry about driving/traffic, there aren't insurance or age issues like a rental car, can do things spur of the minute, don't have to run the security gauntlet, get to see the scenery go by, no turbulence, the benefits are endless IMO!

 

[Andy A]

I don't understand how we got to the point we are at with regard to long range public transportation. I spent considerable time in Europe and they are miles and miles ahead of us in public transportation. I was stationed in both Great Britain and Germany and used their rail transportation in both countries. It was unparalleled. This was in the 1950s and 60s. I can only imagine what it is today. Everything you say is absolutely true, SB44.

 

[30ashopper]

The White House - Blog Post - A Vision for High Speed Rail

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION : PASSENGER RAIL

It's likely to be very expensive to build and maintain, just to kick things off we've already comitted 8 billion. Considering Amtrak costs us around 1.5 billion a year or so to keep operating, this will likely increase that substantially. I guess in the grand scheme of things, 2-3 billion a year to make us feel better about ourselves and our treatment of the environment is a worth while investment according to the current administration. Personally I would prefer they privatise it, but there are so many special interests latched into Amtrak that that will likely never happen.

 

[Miss Kitty]

I don't understand how we got to the point we are at with regard to long range public transportation. I spent considerable time in Europe and they are miles and miles ahead of us in public transportation. I was stationed in both Great Britain and Germany and used their rail transportation in both countries. It was unparalleled. This was in the 1950s and 60s. I can only imagine what it is today. Everything you say is absolutely true, SB44.

Americans fell in love with the automobile!

We are a country of control freaks!

 

[Lynnie]

Love it! I digg this kind of public transportation as well and is one of the things I like in older cities/countries.

This will also attract more tourists with lesser $$ to spend as this will make travel here more affordable.

Now, I think we should issue revenue bonds to pay for this - NOT TAX PAYER $$$$$$ give us the option to invest and grow this project together!

If it is proposed to be paid for with tax payer $, they can kiss my Southern Butt!

 

[Lynnie]

Americans fell in love with the automobile!

We are a country of control freaks!

Well now Miss Kitty, keep in mind the land mass we have to cover with passenger rail as opposed to smaller European countries. And, to compare, Australia is the best to compare with us - about the same age in civilisation and they don't have a fancy rail system either.

It is aggravating that cities like LA and San Fran don't have sophisticated rail for public transportation.

And, in Atlanta you can go N-S/E-W, but somehow the stops are strategically located and get you where you need to be. MARTA going right into Hartsfield is the best thing about it here.......I never drive to the airport any more. Too much hassle and I lose my car in the parking lot everytime, it seems. (This should be expected out of me, however.)

 

[Mango]

The White House - Blog Post - A Vision for High Speed Rail

FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION : PASSENGER RAIL

It's likely to be very expensive to build and maintain, just to kick things off we've already comitted 8 billion. Considering Amtrak costs us around 1.5 billion a year or so to keep operating, this will likely increase that substantially. I guess in the grand scheme of things, 2-3 billion a year to make us feel better about ourselves and our treatment of the environment is a worth while investment according to the current administration. Personally I would prefer they privatise it, but there are so many special interests latched into Amtrak that that will likely never happen.

A high speed rail from NY to the Gulf Coast!!! I could do that trip.