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IS AMTRAK UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF REGIONAL RAIL??

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[quote user="oltmannd"] The problem is these "regional" operations are really more "single state" operations.  In at least two cases I can think of, there is significant friction generated when more than one state is involved - Cascades and Downeaster service.  NH doesn't chip in even a nickel for the Downeaster and Oregon is only half-heartedly committed to the Cascades. [/quote]That's largely a political problem. It has no bearing on Amtrak's ability or lack of ability to serve these systems, which is the topic of discussion. Oregon's half-hearted support of the Cascades is due to the fact that it is an economically poor state, so compared to Washington they have few resources to put into the train.But that illustrates a larger problem. Multi-state agreements are very difficult to achieve without some sort of federal coordination. Those who argue for multi-state compacts (as the Bush/Mineta circus act did a few years ago) don't understand the complexities of making agreements among multiple state legislatures, each with their own budget problems. If the Bush/Mineta plan had been implemented, California would have had to to coordinate with 17 other states to keep just four existing interstate routes running.
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