Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Keith: Yeah, I know, AAR isn't so thrilled with private contractors either. I think that they might be able to work it out so that the crews are provided by the host road tho -- Amtrak was that way at first. Think of it this way. Maersk, for example, owns it's own container cars, loads them iteslf, etc... and then has BNSF and NS or CSX or whoever haul them. So why not a private company, owning a passenger consist, and paying these same roads to haul it? Now whether that pencils out is another story, but logistically it could work. As for the first part, yes, I am "OK" with the gov. buying row, building track, etc... and then letting private companies buy trains and run over them. As long as those private companies pay something back, somehow, for the privilidge -- an electric system can't have a gas tax, so maybe a slot fee instead? A mileage fee? Something like that -- It could, again, work from a logistics standpoint. In the meanwhile, it could host Amtrak, and other government related carriers. And I would allow states to operate their own trains over it, if they so wish, and anyone else, as long as they meet safety requirements and can pay for the slot. Think of it like the Alameda Corridor, writ large. Yep, I know that'll cost a fortune, but look at the AC -- it will pay for itself! I was shocked! What a great model! But I have no problem at all with spending capital dollars -- the fed build highways and airports, why not rail lines? Just as long as the trains are either operationally unsubsidized, or the ops subsidy is based on actual ridership and the decision to do so is made at a level as far from DC as possible. Oh, and I don't necessarily need a profit. Just to cover costs, just not to run at such a loss as to hemorage -- and if a profit can be exacted, all the better, then we can attract some private investment, and get more trains, competition, maybe better service. Or at least, more frequent service.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag