Amtrak is now saying the right things. Will they start doing the right things, like correcting last year’s flawed route studies as the first step toward a dramatically expanded national system?
Jack Benny, one of America’s most beloved comedians and reputed tightwad extraordinaire, was perpetually 39 years old; Amtrak, this first of May, will join Mr. Benny at milepost 39. Benny’s radio and television persona never sold his ancient Maxwell automobile, but Amtrak does seem to have traded in some sputtering old ideas for new ones.
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect
before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.
- John Quincy Adams
Gentle Readers,
Thank you for returning this week for another installment of This Week at Amtrak. I would like to give special appreciation to Mr. J. Bruce Richardson for the first seven years of this column. Read more…
URPA Vice President Andrew Selden on Minnesota Public Radio, 23 April 2009
President Obama’s announcement of $8 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail projects has rail advocates excited over the future of train travel in America. But critics say the money won’t go far and could be better spent on other transportation projects.
It’s 2009, and Amtrak is raking in the cash. Not from the fare box, but from the federal government. Even though Amtrak accounts for less than one percent of America’s transportation market share, it often is the second highest subsidized mode of transportation.
Volume 5, Number 28