I've made that trip many times myself, on my way from New York to Washington and vice versa. I've never actually stopped in Wilmington, but the city on the Amtrak line has always appealed to me. I'm not kidding, I even put in the Wilmington, DE Amtrak station as a major place of action in my 2004 novel, The Pixel Eye.Biden's taking trains shows he's not only in touch with the people, but the future. Trains are much more comfortable than planes in America for short distances. They would work as well for long distances, if only we constructed decent long distance rails like they have in many other parts of the world.
McCain wants to kill Amtrak, and let private industry take over. That worked well up until about 50 years ago. Not surprising that McCain would have this position.
Obama wants to expand Amtrak's excellent high speed service in the Northeast corridor to the midwest, for starters. Much like Obama expanded and deepened his ticket with Joe Biden today in Illinois.
Hey, it's by no means the most important issue in this crucial election, but if Obama/Biden are elected, America will have the best chance it's had in years to finally put in convenient, energy-saving, fast intercity train service.
I'm looking forward to Biden taking the train down to Obama's inauguration in January 2009.
3 comments:
If private industry took over, trains would only haul coal, not commuters.
Hopefully if Biden/Obama get in, train tickets won't cost $100+! Train ticket prices are ludicrously expensive, but that is because we have the worst train infrastructure in the developed world.
Trains are the past...and the future. Mass transit is absolutely necessary for both our future economic, environmental, and human health.
I take the bus to work a lot. I love it. I love meeting random people, reading the paper, relaxing, and not worrying about getting hit. To learn that Biden takes the train increases my respect for him by an enormous amount!
Me too!
I think that Biden as VP would not only save Amtrak, but would lead to America having the same kind of inexpensive, fast, convenient train service as the rest of the world.
Thanks for your comment.
I worked for 15 years and had people help from all across the state concerning getting rail service from St. Louis to Springfield and Branson and on the Tulsa. Last year in Missouri the highway department tried to convince the State Legislature to help get funding for Amtrak from Stylus to Branson and on. They say it will help relieve traffic on interstate 44 and help drivers have other options. Rolla, Lebanon, Springfield, Branson and many other cities could benefit from the economic development it could bring
Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden has spent many years promoting the idea that additional routes will increase traffic in general on Amtrak. . What about those gas prices? If Biden becomes vice president he will bring more Rail Passenger Service to Missouri and the United States.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Reed
1441 South Estate Ave.
Springfield, MO 65804
stevenlloydreed@hotmail.com
417-425-4182
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