The Public Wants More Trains, but Romney and the Republican Party Aren’t Listening.

September 10, 2012 All Posts, Amtrak 0 Comment
It’s distressing and discouraging that those of us who are advocates for more and better and faster trains seem to spend a great deal of time just trying to save the meager and inadequate passenger rail system we already have.

 Mitt Romney has stated several times that he wants to eliminate the federal subsidy for Amtrak. That same misguided notion was included in the Republican Party’s platform and approved by delegates to their recent convention. You can go here for a response from the National Association of Railroad Passengers.

Meanwhile, and in spite of Mr. Romney and his party’s official position, civic leaders and public officials all over the country are moving forward with improvements to rail service. Even some Republicans.

     * The governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, a Republican, has announced the extension of Amtrak service to the city of Norfolk starting in mid-December. Furthermore, Norfolk will be getting a brand new train station.

     * Public officials in parts of Kansas and Colorado are up in arms over a possible change in the route of Amtrak’s Southwest Chief that could mean their cities and towns would be bypassed.

     * Work is progressing on the upgrading of track between Chicago and St. Louis. When completed in 2015, trains on that route will reach speeds of 110 mph and running time will be significantly reduced. A big bump in ridership, which has been steadily increasing anyway, is anticipated.

There are many other examples of states and cities and towns moving forward to expand and improve passenger rail service.

Meantime, the far-right ideologues seem to be in charge of the Republican asylum … and they want to run the whole damn country.


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