This is not the year to expect help in funding a new effort to expand the national rail system. No support from the elected officials who control the budget. The best we can hope for, in my opinion, is state sponsored growth, with a partnership with Amtrak.
Then people need to send emails and calls to their congressmen and senators that we NEED Amtrak and not to let the administration cut its funding, but increase it to a level that the board wants. It cannot be cut any more
The freight railroads have to host Amtrak by law, but Amtrak isn't willing to pay them for the expeditious service they provide to the hotshot intermodal shippers like JB Hunt. Hence, Amtrak trains aren't a priority when a network gets congested. It's a pay to play system; the freights have to play, but Amtrak doesn't want to pay.
But in many rural locations Amtrak is a lifeline that provides the only available public transportation.
"
This is doubtful. Is there even 1? The last couple generations rural transit has been beefed up in a lot of the US. You can live in Rugby, North Dakota and use Sourish Basin transit ( or whatever it's exact name is ) to get into Minot, airport or Amtrak or bus line.
Are there any Amtrak cities with an Amtrak station where you couldn't do this?
This is not the year to expect help in funding a new effort to expand the national rail system. No support from the elected officials who control the budget. The best we can hope for, in my opinion, is state sponsored growth, with a partnership with Amtrak.
Then people need to send emails and calls to their congressmen and senators that we NEED Amtrak and not to let the administration cut its funding, but increase it to a level that the board wants. It cannot be cut any more
The freight railroads have to host Amtrak by law, but Amtrak isn't willing to pay them for the expeditious service they provide to the hotshot intermodal shippers like JB Hunt. Hence, Amtrak trains aren't a priority when a network gets congested. It's a pay to play system; the freights have to play, but Amtrak doesn't want to pay.
"
But in many rural locations Amtrak is a lifeline that provides the only available public transportation.
"
This is doubtful. Is there even 1? The last couple generations rural transit has been beefed up in a lot of the US. You can live in Rugby, North Dakota and use Sourish Basin transit ( or whatever it's exact name is ) to get into Minot, airport or Amtrak or bus line.
Are there any Amtrak cities with an Amtrak station where you couldn't do this?