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Title: Country can't afford Amtrak's costly plans
Source:
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URL Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/124580298.html
Published: Jun 28, 2011
Author: Rep. John L. Mica, Rep. Bill Shuster
Post Date: 2011-06-28 00:55:45 by socalv8
Keywords: amtrak, profit/loss, money-pit
Views: 7873
Comments: 21
In response to Tuesday's editorial "Amtrak idea is risky," the true risk with Northeast Corridor high-speed passenger rail is continuing the status quo with Amtrak's costly, subpar performance. The federal government simply can't afford Amtrak's 30-year, $117 billion plan to bring high-speed rail to the corridor. While some criticize Congress for not sufficiently funding Amtrak over the years, no one can reasonably expect Congress to provide this kind of money for this project, particularly in this budgetary environment. That is why we have proposed an innovative approach to fund improved passenger rail by encouraging competition in the corridor. We must attract needed private-sector resources and expertise to dramatically lower taxpayer costs and speed up delivery of real high-speed rail. Our committee has heard testimony regarding successful private-sector involvement in rail operations around the world. To suggest that investors are waiting to pounce on this opportunity to take over the corridor just to provide inferior rail service is ludicrous - that's not how the free-market system works. Our proposal includes specific performance standards to ensure the least cost to taxpayers and the most private-sector participation. It also protects existing rail operations against service disruptions. We support a robust national passenger rail system. Our proposal will improve and expand passenger rail service by welcoming competition and forcing Amtrak to improve. Rep. John L. Mica (R., Fla.) Rep. Bill Shuster (R., Pa.) Washington
Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Chairman, House Subcommittee on Railroads,
Pipelines and Hazardous Materials
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#1. To: socalv8 (#0)
here in Virginia the state government just reported that the $380 million allocated from taxes for road maintenance is woefully less than the nearly $1 billion needed this year, and as a result the DOT can't maintain the state road system. Obviously this means that road transportation is a failure and government should pull the plug.
#4. To: go65 (#1)
THAT explains a lot... Why don't you just go outside, sit in the swing-set, and enjoy the afternoon/evening?
Obviously this means that road transportation is a failure and government should pull the plug. It actually means the the government is very good at keeping people unemployed, hence the lower tax revenues.... Maybe the government should pull the plug on itself, that would be a novel idea...
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Replies to Comment # 1. here in Virginia ...
#9. To: go65 (#1)
here in Virginia the state government just reported that the $380 million allocated from taxes for road maintenance is woefully less than the nearly $1 billion needed this year, and as a result the DOT can't maintain the state road system.
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