Comments on: High Speed Rail in Economic Stimulus Bill http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/ steam trains, bluegrass music, low-tech solutions, and hi-tech problems Tue, 22 May 2012 12:36:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: S.P. Gass http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1921 S.P. Gass Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:46:38 +0000 http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/#comment-1921 Christopher, thanks a lot for the information. I also understand the Cardinal used to run 7 days a week. If they could get over the road, turn the equipment and offer more frequent service, I think that would be a good thing. Christopher, thanks a lot for the information. I also understand the Cardinal used to run 7 days a week. If they could get over the road, turn the equipment and offer more frequent service, I think that would be a good thing.

]]> By: Christopher Parker http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1920 Christopher Parker Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:39:40 +0000 http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/#comment-1920 Yes, Amtrak service to Hinton, VA is important. More important than to Chicago or New York, as they have other options. Diving into the Amtrak ridership numbers one finds many examples of the little towns outperforming larger population centers. The Cardinal Route through West Virginia is one example. Back in the late seventies this train was routed away from Indianapolis because of track conditions and what happened was little Muncie and Richmond ended up contributing more passengers than Indianapolis had. We spend about as much money on sending empty airplanes to rural airports (The "essential" air service program) as we do on Amtrak, but these planes carry a fraction of the ridership and do not serve as many towns as Amtrak does. People from the cities have a "flyover" mentality that forgets about the towns in between. But for them Amtrak is a vital connection. Yes, Amtrak service to Hinton, VA is important. More important than to Chicago or New York, as they have other options.

Diving into the Amtrak ridership numbers one finds many examples of the little towns outperforming larger population centers. The Cardinal Route through West Virginia is one example. Back in the late seventies this train was routed away from Indianapolis because of track conditions and what happened was little Muncie and Richmond ended up contributing more passengers than Indianapolis had.

We spend about as much money on sending empty airplanes to rural airports (The “essential” air service program) as we do on Amtrak, but these planes carry a fraction of the ridership and do not serve as many towns as Amtrak does.

People from the cities have a “flyover” mentality that forgets about the towns in between. But for them Amtrak is a vital connection.

]]> By: S.P. Gass http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/comment-page-1/#comment-1825 S.P. Gass Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:58:04 +0000 http://lowtechtimes.com/2009/02/25/high-speed-rail-in-economic-stimulus-bill/#comment-1825 John, you hit on a good point. I think driving and flying are cheaper options than rail travel for most routes. Thanks a lot for your comment. John, you hit on a good point. I think driving and flying are cheaper options than rail travel for most routes. Thanks a lot for your comment.

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