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I've never posted on this forum before, and I've barely had time to skim this monster thread, but all I see here is the same old tired arguments (some better than others) going round and round ad nauseum. Both the pro and anti Amtrak factions on this forum, on other forums, and in Congress are all riding the same merry-go-round, each thinking they're in the lead, and going absolutely nowhere. It is time to shut down the merry-go-round. I have an idea that I think all factions can agree to. First, forget all about your preconceived notions about what will or won't work regarding Amtrak. Everything I've seen so far amounts to little more than pet theories, based on incomplete information. Hardly the basis for sound policy. What is needed is a comprehensive long-term (20 year) plan, based on sound transportation planning principles, comprehensive market studies and demographic research to figure out where the riders are, where they want to go, and what schedules they require. This is being done on the state level in a few areas, but needs to be done nationally. With that information in hand, we can design a truly practical national network. Without it we are just spitting into the wind. This will end once and for all the long-distance vs. corridor arguments. (My suspicion is that both will prove necessary, but without cold hard data, nobody can say for sure.) Next we need to determine what sort of equipment and infrastructure improvements are needed to provide reliable and cost-effective service to those markets. Will it be high-speed, conventional or some combination thereof? Again, without a comprehensive study, nobody can say for sure. This information willl enable this country to set realistic goals, establish a plan, and give us something to work towards. Then comes the funding. We complain about how underfunded Amtrak is, but we fail to realize that without a clearly defined plan, with defensible goals, Congress really has nothing substantive to fund. The interstate higway system started with a plan, not with money. The money came after plan was sold to Congress. Plan first, money second. I cannot emphasize that enough. Also, without a plan, we really are in no position to say what sort of organization is best to operate passenger rail. The goals and plan will help guide us. It may be similar to the current Amtrak model, it may be some sort of public/private partnership, or something else altogether. We really need to keep an open mind, here. So instead of arguing about this and that theory, let's all urge Congress and the USDOT to conduct some real planning. All interested parties need to be involved, including Amtrak, the host railroads, state transportation agencies, labor, and the traveling public. The current state of Amtrak is not Amtrak's fault. It is a failure of fedreral policymakers to plan for the future of American railroads. Nothing more. Nothing less.
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