Rep John Mica (R-FL7), who again holds the chairmanship of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has dusted off the Bush administration proposal to separate the NECorridor from the rest of Amtrak - and of course stimulate private investment for both competitive services and infrastructure upgrades;
WASHINGTON — Congress would take away Amtrak's popular Northeast corridor train service and invite private investors to bid for the right to develop high-speed rail under a plan outlined by a key House Republican on Thursday.
The densely populated corridor — which extends from Washington to Boston, including service to New York City and Philadelphia — is the most viable region in the country for truly high-speed trains averaging speeds better than 110 mph, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., said.
But Amtrak has failed to provide fast service despite tens of billions of dollars in federal aid, he said while outlining his plan at a hearing
This proposal would clearly represent a divide and conquer strategy. If a lawmaker wants to vote on the one proven absolutely essential service Amtrak operates, he can answer to his constituents for that.
If however, the lawmaker choses to vote for maintenance of the Long Distance system, he can also do that and answer to his constituents accordingly and independent of his vote regarding the Northeast Corridor. Any such proposal if enacted (and it won't be during the Obama administration) would neutralize the contention that the LD's represent the catalyst to have Federal level funding for the regional Corridor.
It could also mean its time for that Adios drumhead order.
All told, if there is any interest in private sector investment, assuming risk to reap a potential reward, for rail passenger service, how about "baby steps first' - 40 additional Acela Coaches.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Mica wouldn't recognize what is possible with the northeast corridor if an Acela ran over him.
There is very little that could be done to make more than the most minimal reduction in run time without spending huge amounts of money. There is no magic solution.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Now it's "the morning after" and a review of the Google news tab appears to show the only additional staff reporting of this development is from Bloomberg News:
Representative John Mica, chairman of the House transportation committee, said he plans to propose legislation to place ownership of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor under control of the Transportation Department.
The transfer would allow the government to seek bids from investors to develop and operate high-speed rail service in the corridor between Washington and Boston, the Florida Republican said. He made the comments at a committee hearing today.
The legislation would look to separate the Northeast Corridor, where Amtrak owns 363 miles of track, from the rest of the U.S. national passenger railroad, Justin Harclerode, a spokesman for Mica, said.
Amtrak was created as a government-chartered corporation in 1971 to take over unprofitable passenger services operated by freight railroad companies.
All told as I noted when opening this topic, this is simply a "dust off' of a proposal made during the Bush administration - and during Rep. Mica's earlier chairmanship of the Committee. It is probably nothing more than a 'this Committee is now under new management; and we now again believe in strong Republican values of free enterprise, freedom of choice........(blahblah).
The proposal is going nowhere; I'm not sure if it ever sees the Floor that the "218' in Mr. Pullman's equation would even be there - let alone the '51 and 1'.
I would think this is a no start until there is again a Republican in the White House; and now that their possible '12 contenders are looking for the Exit signs and "Sarah the Sacrificial Lamb' is moving towards center stage, that likely will not be anytime sooner than '17
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Mr Norman, are you implying that Palin cannot beat our incompetent, inexperienced, anti-American, socialistic, muslim-leaning ex-lawyer that is currently residing in our White House (when he is not on vacation)?
I disagree.
But I do agree that John Mica's plan is going nowhere.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
That is what I am inferring, Mr. Smith - and even "rabid" Wall Street Journal columnist Daniel Henninger seems to hold same:
The "smart money" says Barack Obama is cruising to re-election because of Republican disarray. Pick up a paper, visit a blog, turn on the TV or radio, and reports of Republican misadventure will engulf you:
Mitch Daniels just said no. Newt Gingrich says too much. On Tuesday, voters in New York's normally Republican congressional district 26, near Buffalo and Rochester, "shocked" the political world by electing a Democrat. The smart money now says NY-26 means that if the Republicans run on Paul Ryan's Medicare reform proposal, they risk losing the presidency.
The smart money is often stupid.
Standing against the tornadoes of political spin isn't easy. But if the Republicans will step back from these storms, they'll see that the GOP prospect is in better shape than they think. A clear and defensible agenda for 2012 is being assembled outside the presidential campaigns.
As I read this piece of Mr. Henninger (and yes I do make it a point to read his Journal columns), a contender had best step up - and fast.
But be it assured Sarah will make the 2012 campaign "fun and soundbiteworthy" - she will do wonders for the ratings of the Debates as well as her own on Fox News after the Election. She further may even displace O'Reilly from his "top dog" standing amongst news channel commentators.
Finally, I note that staff reporting from other recognized newssources of Rep. Mica's proposal is starting to "surface'. The Washington Post now has an article posted at their website, which includes an "interesting", if not overly flattering, photo gallery:
quote:But Amtrak has failed to provide fast service despite tens of billions of dollars in federal aid, he said while outlining his plan at a hearing
I think it should be argued that during Amtrak's 40 years of existence Congress has failed to provide the funds needed to build and operate a true HSR system. It's only during the last decade or so that we've seen the first steps taken to maintain a state of good repair on the NEC and provide high(er) speed services. If Mica wants fast trains, he should find the money. The finger of blame should be pointed mainly at Congress, not Amtrak.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Well said and duly noted, Mr. Vincent.
Amtrak is a Federal agency managed by, IMHO, a cadre of quite competent managers (I've known enough of 'em "along the way" to stand behind that statement). But with that said, they can only run their agency, the nature and scope of such determined by outside parties, with what they are given through appropriations and passenger revenue.
But since Amtrak cannot attract private capital (what government agency can?)to build infrastructure resulting in a more attractive product that can be generated with greater economy and efficiency, that "finger" must be pointed at Congress as well as to some extent the President. And on that point, Mr. Vincent, I wholly agree with you.
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
Can you really count on the Washington Post to "get it right"? (See picture #30)
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Mike Smith, most Democrats would LOVE Ms. Palin as the GOP contender.
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
Mica spelled out his view on Amtrak and the NEC in a report released last October by several GOP members of the Transportation Committee "Sitting on Our Assets" (the Amtrak section starts pg. 28). Mica's report outlines Federal mismanagement of assets and the cost to the taxpayers of that mismanagement. Failures at GSA, FAA, FEMA, TVA and, of course, Amtrak are detailed. Amtrak's failure to deliver on high speed rail promises are re-told and the Acela fiasco is re-hashed. Mica's proposed solution is a study done by the University of Pennsylvania School of Design that says DC to NY can be done in 1:30 and NY to BOS can be run in 1:45. And at a cost of just $98 billion.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mike Smith: Can you really count on the Washington Post to "get it right"? (See picture #30)
Have to agree with you there, Mr. Smith.
Wrong craft, and (pretty sure) wrong railroad.
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: Mike Smith, most Democrats would LOVE Ms. Palin as the GOP contender.
The dream ticket for dems would be Palin/Bachmann. Pres would send Malia and Sasha to bury them in debates.
Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :
quote:Originally posted by RR4me: Mike Smith, most Democrats would LOVE Ms. Palin as the GOP contender.
I disagree.
The way the democrats and media types ridicule her and denigrate her on almost a daily basis, it would appear they are deathly afraid of her getting the nomination. If they thought (Yea, I know... stretching the definition of "thought") she could easily be beaten, they would be treating her like they treated McCain, in 2007 (They treated McCain like their best buddy in 2007/2008, until he won the nomination).
My dream ticket? Palin/Nugent. (Did I just hear Ocala's head explode?)
Posted by RR4me (Member # 6052) on :
Wango Tango!!!
Posted by cubzo (Member # 4700) on :
Christie/Palin, Nugent for Secretary of Defense.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
While I am a good republican from a very red state, I'm afraid Ms. Palin does not have the right stuff to be president. But fortunately, this is an Amtrak forum so we don't have to discuss politics.