Trains Don’t Have a Monopoly on Subsidies

[dtotire]

Letter
Trains Don’t Have a Monopoly on Subsidies
Published: April 30, 2011

To the Editor:

Re “Fast Train to Nowhere,” by Richard White (Op-Ed, April 24), which argues against subsidies for high-speed rail and the development of “lines in places where there is no demonstrated demand”:

All forms of transportation are subsidized. Air travel and car travel require a large army in the Middle East to assure a source of fuel. The next generation of air-traffic control will rely on GPS satellites, as do many automobile travelers, and these satellites are paid for by the Defense Department. And who knows what other tax breaks and financial assistance are given to the various companies that support automotive and air transportation.

We should remember that every person who travels by high-speed rail is not flying in an airplane or driving a car. While this may make the auto companies and airlines unhappy, it makes life easier on all the people who do choose to drive or fly. Preventing traffic jams and delays at airports and reducing the cost of fuel (through reduction in demand) fully justify subsidies.

The fact that investors don’t want to invest in high-speed rail, or anything else that will not see returns on investment, is meaningless. The government — that is, the people of this country — have to look further into the future than investors enamored of the potential high profits from social networking.

With air and ground transportation approaching gridlock, high-speed rail is the only way to ensure that people will be able to go where they want to in a reasonable amount of time.

MICHAEL PALUSZEK
Plainsboro, N.J., April 24, 2011

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/opinion/lweb01train.html?ref=opinion

[madrchsod]

1. passenger trains were abandoned by the railroads in the late 50`s early 60`s

the last rail company train i road in was 69. that`s 40yrs of no rail service though northern illinois

the major problem with high speed bullet trains is the acquisition of the land to build it.

[txlibdem]

2. This might bring some memories

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJMVj04lfyo

I tried to find a decent Arlo Guthry but Willie does a damn fine job.

[Stuart G]

3. You got no idea...I road the City of New Orleans once..only

once. Monday morning, on the Illinois Central..going back Urbana where I went to school. Left the station at 8 or 9am. I road in the last car, was a club car with a bar. I remember it, it must have been at least 43 years ago, I graduated in l968. But there was something strange about that 2 hour ride, there were few people in that car, and it did indeed have "the disapearing railroad blues. It was bitter sweat, sad, kinda lonely, but all I wanted was to get back to school. A few years later, I heard this song. Arlo Guthrie. He said it all...Thanks for putting this vidio up, and posting this story...rec this one..

[Bennyboy]

4. The thing is, there is money to be made with rail..

with High Speed rail all of a sudden you are creating new possibilities for developers, builders etc to plan towns, and plan them around the train and transit rather than verse visa.. Better access to cities and employment.

So instead of SF workers living in Stockton (many do) they could live even farther away. The same thing happesn with a new freeway. The developers develop and make money....