Sky-High Fuel Means Amtrak In Michigan To Stay
1 Aug 2008
Editorial: Sky-High Gas Suggests Amtrak Is Here To Stay
The Muskegon (Mich.) Chronicle ran an editorial July 30, 2008 stating that high fuel prices are contributing toward a growth in passenger rail - It seems freight rail works for people too.
AAR President and CEO Ed Hamberger offered the eye-opening statistic: freight rail can move one ton of freight 436 miles on just one gallon of diesel fuel. It appears the math is also favorable for passenger rail too.
The cavaet: the rail industry needs to spend about $145 billion between now and 2035 in capacity expansion, possibly through new investment tax credits.
And that has its implications for everyday people as well and passenger rail is going to need a boost too.
"This boost in capacity will become even more of a national imperative as Americans begin to reconsider their long love affair with the automobile," the article said.
Mr. Hamberger offers "a partnership where the public recognizes that congestion mitigation, clean air, energy independence are public benefits and, therefore, is willing to put some money in a partnership with the railroads..."
As the New York Times said in an editorial on Monday, expensive oil is likely here to stay, and Americans need to find alternative sources of energy. Using less energy -- by taking the train, say, instead of driving -- is another side of the same coin.
Read the full editorial in the Muskegon Chronicle. Visit http://www.mlive.com/muskegon/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1217510115232160.xml&coll=8