Ride Trains: Apparently You Are

Published on Tuesday, 30 November 1999 00:00

Amtrak ridership shot up 12% this year over last, with some trains riding at capacity. Our local transit authority, SEPTA, reports a similar jump in ridership, and recently announced plans for a major expansion in service to coincide with the addition of new equipment next year. All around, the drumbeat for expanding existing service and initiating new routes just gets thumps louder in the face of rising oil and gas prices. Indeed, the future for passenger rail hasn’t looked this promising since Grover Cleveland’s administration — either one.

Unfortunately, despite the rising popularity, passenger rail remains a money-losing proposition and remains dependent on government subsidy. Amtrak desperately needs to upgrade and add to its equipment roster. According to reports, the service hasn’t added a car to its fleet in over ten years, and the existing equipment has taken a beating. Washington has begun to recognize the necessity for Amtrak in its rhetoric, but so far has little to show for actual funds. Meanwhile, according to Amtrak president Alex Kummant, highways got another $10 billion and $8 billion went to “security and life safey for cruise ships.” Try commuting on an ocean liner. We bring this up mindful of the presidential race now raging across America.

While we don’t make it a practice to endorse any candidates, we would remind you that Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden from Delaware commutes to Washington every day aboard Amtrak and Republican presidential nominee-presumptive John McCain has spent most of his tenure in the Senate trying to eliminate Amtrak altogether.

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