A Better Use of EAS money

[John WR]

in 2011 and 2012 Congress passed several reforms that look more like phasing out EAS.  No new communities can be given EAS who do not now have it.  Communities that do have it must maintain at least 10 passengers per day.  At present 163 communities have EAS which is not really very many.  However, as far as I know when a community has its EAS yanked or, if it is not an EAS community, commercial airlines pull out there is no provision for providing any other service.  This is yet another example of Congress turning its pack on the needs of Americans in rural areas.  

[schlimm]

blue streak 1

CSSHEGEWISCH

The San Joaquins, Pacific Surfliners and Capitol Corridor are an excellent example of co-ordinated rail-bus service in the short-to-medium-haul market.

Agree.   When traveling to LAX during the planning for the system I felt that it would never work.  Thought that the auto centric persons would not go even in small numbers to the proposed rail system.  Had only a very limited understanding of how the bus feeders would be set up.  What a peasant surprize. !

Of course the ability of travelers and commuters to now do work  while using these  facilities may also be a big factor ? 

But those trains have little to do with the EAS question.

[blue streak 1]

CSSHEGEWISCH

The San Joaquins, Pacific Surfliners and Capitol Corridor are an excellent example of co-ordinated rail-bus service in the short-to-medium-haul market.

Agree.   When traveling to LAX during the planning for the system I felt that it would never work.  Thought that the auto centric persons would not go even in small numbers to the proposed rail system.  Had only a very limited understanding of how the bus feeders would be set up.  What a peasant surprize. !

Of course the ability of travelers and commuters to now do work  while using these  facilities may also be a big factor ? 

[schlimm]

Perhaps more coordinated feeder buses could work in some western states as well.  But most folks who want to travel from Missoula to Chicago, for example,  would still fly.   The time factor (up to 6 hours) or when distances are over 500 miles becomes critical.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The San Joaquins, Pacific Surfliners and Capitol Corridor are an excellent example of co-ordinated rail-bus service in the short-to-medium-haul market.

[daveklepper]

I AGREE, AND BUSES CAN DO THE JOB IN THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE MANNER IN MOST SITUATIONS.  WHEN THERE ARE ECONOMIES OF SCALE BECAUSE OF DOVETAILING WITH EXISTING PASSENGER RAIL, THEN RAIL IS THE BETTER OPTION.

IN MANY INSTANCES, ESSENTIAL AIR MONEY IS PORK.

[ontheBNSF]

In my view essential air service money should be repurposed and spent on providing passenger rail and bus service to rural communities and communities which have lost service.

• Many people don't use essential air service and often planes are empty.
• Even at highly subsidized prices service is still out of reach for many people.
• Many cities are now poorer due to the lack of bus or rail service.
• The means for providing such service already exists as Amtrak runs both bus and passenger rail service.
• Wins rural voters who support Amtrak.