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This trend might be relevant to the future of commuter and passenger rail, perhaps even the LD's. Assuming many of us find flying less than pleasant, could the current decline in tourism affect the economy enough to justify continued subsidies for rail? http://www.weather.com/safety/autosafety/aging-drivers-tranportation-challenge-20121109Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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This is an interesting article and an issue which interests me.
I think, at this stage, that I would like to live in retirement in a mixed-age community with quality mass transit options (light rail, commuter rail) etc. a short walk or drive away..... no interest in going driving on the freeways any more than I need to in retirement.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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TSR, The issue of an aging boomer generation is one that I have bombarded my government reps with repeatedly. I am a few years too old to be a boomer. I have logged countless miles and hours driving in all kinds of conditions in most parts of the country. I used to really enjoy driving. But, as much as I hate to admit it, I am losing my edge. I find myself having momentary delays on quick decisions. My butt and back can't take the endless hours behind the wheel as they used to. And most recently I find that I am not at my best at night. The beginnings of cataracts. Now I know that there are millions of aging boomers that are experiencing similar age-related issues. The only sensible answer is a comprehensive reliable, extensive, modern passenger rail system. Interstates and airlines aren't the total answer.
So why isn't there a greater demand and subsequent response? And by response I don't necessarily mean a socialist railroad czar. There has to be a private/government partnership to make this happen. But in many parts of the country there isn't a rail option so people don't really understand the value of rail transportation.
A while back I read an article whose author opined that the problem was the lack of a "rail culture". I think that is a good point.
In my neck of the woods folks don't understand passenger rail and all of its advantages. There are rail cultures in the NEC, California, and the Chicago hub. But, I think it fair to say, most of the country doesn't understand rail. How could they? They don't have access to a sensible and effective system.
One answer is education via relentless pressure and education by groups, such as NARP, and Amtrak itself by employing effective marketing of its product. I am sure that you have heard the great CSX, NS, and BNSF ads stressing protection of the environment reducing highway congestion, etc. Amtrak should do the same.
I do believe that rail will be a critical component in our passenger transportatin system someday. It is the only thing that makes sense. And people can learn to change. Final point: When I was young tobacco was considered a staple. In boot camp we were gauranteed 3 smokes a day. In college there were ashtrays on the desks. But attitudes have changed. I haven't touched tobacco in thirty years. Our society has changed a lot of its attitudes, some good some not good, during my life time. A rail culture can be developed. We can always change.
Posts: 140 | Registered: Nov 2008
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Iron Mountain: Thank you very much for your most excellent post! I fully agree with you. This poor, suffering country desperately needs many things, one of which is a truly excellent passenger rail system. One thing that would have to change if this is to happen is (I know, some will say I am being very unrealistic) to break up the present 4 or 5 Class 1 freight railroads into the parts that existed back in 1950 -- or at least into much much smaller companies. This would, at long last, return true competition so that shipper would have real choices in whom to ship their cargo with. We would also have to lay much more track -- but that is very worth doing, and is quite necessary if we are ever to have a really good passenger rail system in this country again.
How to pay for this There is plenty of money -- it is just either being hoarded or is being spent on the wrong things.
I do hope that the boomers needs as they age will drive a change to create a really good passenger rail system in this country.
Posts: 211 | From: California | Registered: Dec 2004
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Rail will no longer be necessary for aging retirees.
Obamacare's Independent Payment Advisory Board (death panel) will not be paying to fix any diseases or ailments old folks acquire, due to the cost of fixing those problems. The IPAB has complete control over that aspect of Ocare. You get a disease (cancer, Alzheimer, arthritis, etc), you get pills and sent home to die. It will be more efficient to maintain the health of working folks, instead of Social Security and Medicare leaches...
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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What Iron Mountain and Margaret said. After all, aging pre-boomers (I will be 71 next month) will have to have some way of getting to those Death Panels that Mr. S. refers to, as I'm sure there won't be any house calls.
Posts: 1530 | From: Ocala, FL | Registered: Dec 2006
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You will find out about it when you go to the hospital and want some service. You will get take these and enjoy the rest of your life, as best as you can. If you do some very easy research, you can find how Sarah Palin was dead-on accurate.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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Sorry volks, but I'm at a loss to find any justification within the Associated Press material linked by Mr. Twin Star, for expanding a Long Distance passenger rail system, as well as imposing upon the Class I industry to provide access for such, beyond that which presently exists for few reasons beyond political expediency.
The article suggests that retiring "boomers" (as well as "war babies" like myself and Ocala Mike outside the boomer range by five some years) want to "stay put" (Mike "reloed", but I'm not about to) often in areas (not me) underserved by public transportation. In order to accommodate elders whose driving skills have diminished (as admittedly have mine) yet choosing to reside in "exurban" areas, local authorities will have to establish and/or expand jitney services such as "Dial A Ride' beyond the scope of providing such only to those with a qualifying disability.
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The jitney idea GBN suggests has been tried all over Upper Michigan—and it works.
Ontonagon County, where I spend five months of the year, has a transit service of small buses that come to one's door when called and take one anywhere one wants to go in the county. This service is used primarily by seniors to go food shopping and to medical services, but it is open to anyone for any reason. It will send a bus to your house in the most remote outback.
Drawbacks: It operates only from 6 am to 6 pm Mondays through Fridays. It is heavily subsidized by government (the Feds buy the buses, the state finances some of the ops, the county the rest through tax millage)) so that fares can be kept reasonable.
The service is so popular (and needed) that the modest millage increases are overwhelmingly voted for in every election.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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quote:Originally posted by MargaretSPfan: There is plenty of money -- it is just either being hoarded or is being spent on the wrong things.
I do hope that the boomers needs as they age will drive a change to create a really good passenger rail system in this country.
You said it, Margaret. Being the "political" bunch we are here, we all have different ideas on "wrong and right" spending. But most of us probably would like to see more of a passenger rail culture develop, esp. as we get older and have to hang up the car keys.
I live in the second (or third?) busiest "heavy" rail commute corridor, plus have a swell light rail that links to all 4 points of the compass- I'm all set for my doddering years!
Posts: 588 | From: East San Diego County, CA | Registered: Oct 2004
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Railroad Bob -- since I am now retired, I guess I am now "doddering," eh? Anyway, I chose to retire to a place which is quite far from the closest AMTRAK station! To get to East Lansing (closest station), I have to drive 2 hours, and I am startng to have problems driving after dark now. I may have to rely on the ol' Indian Trails bus at some point.
And the closest commercial airport to me is in Traverse City, which is about 50 miles away.
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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