Amtrak and gas prices

[Anonymous]

For those of us geezers old enough to remember the "gas shortage" fiasco of the 1970's, when rail ridership soared on commuter and amtrak routes, do You think the current gas rip off of nearly $3.00 a gallon will have a positive effect on amtrak??? perhaps amtrak's saviour will come from a gas pump.

[Wdlgln005]

Given the mess in New Orleans, the price of gas should be one of our least concerns! THe city of New Orleans may need to be evacuated due to the flood waters!

What it may do is encourage refiners to build in other areas. No need for so much production to be concentrated in one area.

THe damage appears to be massive and will take several years to complete. Some money should be devoted to rebuilding the rail lines damaged in the storm. Amtrak would need billions more to build a nationwide system. I just don't expect the price of gas to stay high enough long enough to make a difference. Perhaps it will also take a few airlines to go down the tubes before we wake up. There is no question we need a more balanced transit system.
When will the politicos do what is needed to make it happen???

[conrailman]

Make more Gas from Corn, I forget what that Called we need to use more Home grown stuff for are Gas?

[oltmannd]

From what I can tell, Amtrak pretty much matches or slightly beats the discount airline fares. So, to the extent the airlines can raise fares, Amtrak can, too. So far, that hasn't been very much. I wonder what % of overall operating costs fuel is for Amtrak vs an airline.

[jchnhtfd]

Good question, Don... but knowing the way aircraft engines guzzle fuel, I'd be willing to bet that it's a bigger problem for airlines than Amtrak.

Wdigin005 has some interesting comments... but I have to respectfully disagree with his hope that gas prices won't stay high: there is no good economic reason why they shouldn't. As has been said on other threads, the price of gas (at $3 or so per gallon) is pretty reasonable, if adjusted for inflation.

It would be nice to build refineries in other areas. However... the process of getting permission to do so is pretty daunting.

As to when the politicos get the word on a better balanced transportation system? Dream on...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by gentlegiant

For those of us geezers old enough to remember the "gas shortage" fiasco of the 1970's, when rail ridership soared on commuter and amtrak routes, do You think the current gas rip off of nearly $3.00 a gallon will have a positive effect on amtrak??? perhaps amtrak's saviour will come from a gas pump.

I would hope that answer is yes. Gas prices, in my opinion, will never return to "yesterday". The oil industry wants them high, profits are at an all time high right now.

We must change our driving and buying habits. I cannot afford $3.00 a gallon any more than you can. They oil industry has already set the next mark at $5.00 a gallon. Just wait and see, it WILL get there.

Amtrak hopefully will become a better deal now and the government hopefully will see its need and stop trying to cut its throat. Many people do not want to fly. I can't see how the government can keep spending money on airlines and not passenger trains.