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I think its time to stop the long distance routes
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by polarbearucla: [QB] Go to hell polarbear! America would be diminished without the choice of using Amtrak trains long distance especially in war time or in emergencies like post-911. What's the matter, haven't you ever enjoyed a long ride on Amtrak?! What kind of America would we have without LD Amtrak?! -- Pojon Ok let me answer each one of your concerns: a) about me going to hell - Aren't I allowed to have a productive discussion about the merit of our rail system without personal insults? The reason I bring up this question and state my view is that, eventhough I know its unpopular, I think it is something that needs to be discussed and whether I'm right or wrong its not like I personally control amtrak; the bottom line is no one is being affected by this discussion - so lets keep it civel. b) About Amtrak being a vital interest in National Secuirty. As I've argued many months ago, Amtrak in itself is a security issue. Trains are high risk targets and have little or no security as of now. On the subject of being means of effectively transporting people in times of disaster - Amtrak has very limited passanger capacity as is. Also even if Amtrak's LD routes were cut, and more emphasis was put on local routes, one would still be able to evacuate from a city under attack (you could still leave boston and get your self to northern virginia on the Metroliner). c) About me not enjoying a trip on Amtrak - Yes I have enjoyed a trip, however I believe the purpose of a rail network is not for enjoyment but rather for the purpose of transporting people in an efficent and timely matter. Do you know how much time/money/polluiton could be saved if anyone at Amtrak decided to build a railline from Las Vegas to Los Angeles? I think a lot more people in LA would utilize this than any LD train out of union station. And to respond to Chucky: I think everyone is jaded in their desire to have a train that serves their needs. If Amtrak served no ones needs than no one would want Amtrak. Now, you question what a sound investment is - to me it is one that has any shot at one day becoming profitable. To me, Amtrak in its current form has no way of becoming profitable and cutting LD routes and focusing on more heavily traveled areas makes much more sense. Now, I'm sure that someone is going to point out that not every government agency needs to make a profit (and believe me, i sure hope that medicare and medicaid arent set up to make a profit). But if i remember correctly Amtrak was set up in the hope that one day it would become profitable and could be sold off - maybe i'm wrong and if so please correct me. However, the current form of Amtrak has no hope of being profitable. You also claim that the people want a national railroad. Well, first overall at this current time we do have a national railroad. And if the people wanted it so much, why dont I see huge lines at trainstations and overflowing trains (The only time if seen such a sight was on the NE's Metroliner). Obviously this is a useful service that the people really do want and thus it should be expanded and more funds should be allocated to it. [/QB][/QUOTE]
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