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national newspolitics
Obama Announces $13 Billion Train Project
Adam KirchnerPosted: Apr 17th 2009 12:11AM
Filed under: Politics, National News, The Economy, Towson UniversityPresident Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced a $13 billion high-speed American rail transit development project on Thursday.
Ten regional rail systems have been identified for the project: the California Corridor, the Pacific Northwest Corridor, the South Central Corridor, the Gulf Coast Corridor, the Chicago Hub Network, the Florida Corridor, the Southeast Corridor, the Keystone Corridor, the Empire Corridor and the Northern New England Corridor.
Amtrak, the passenger rail system founded in 1971, operates with revenue below expenses and receives an annually increasing federal subsidy reaching $6.3 million for fiscal year 2013, as mandated in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Additionally, Amtrak received $1.3 billion of the 2009 ARRA funds.
The difference between the existing rail transit system that operates at a $6.3 million annual deficit and the proposed rail transit system which will presumably operate at a staggering deficit, as well, is that the new rail transit system will have 150-mile-per-hour trains. Why have one underutilized, operationally inadequate transit system when American travelers can have two that are rarely used?
Of course, the new $13 billion high-speed train system is meant to serve as a disincentive for American travelers to drive the 100,000 automobiles that the Obama Administration encouraged them to buy three weeks ago.
Spend lots of money on more cars, while already spending lots of money to subsidize one underutilized rail transit system, then spend lots of money to build another rail transit system, then stop driving the cars that cost lots of money and ride the new underutilized rail transit system that cost lots of money to build and costs lots of money to operate, instead, while there already was an underutilized transit system?
Ten regional rail systems have been identified for the project: the California Corridor, the Pacific Northwest Corridor, the South Central Corridor, the Gulf Coast Corridor, the Chicago Hub Network, the Florida Corridor, the Southeast Corridor, the Keystone Corridor, the Empire Corridor and the Northern New England Corridor.
Amtrak, the passenger rail system founded in 1971, operates with revenue below expenses and receives an annually increasing federal subsidy reaching $6.3 million for fiscal year 2013, as mandated in the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008.
Additionally, Amtrak received $1.3 billion of the 2009 ARRA funds.
The difference between the existing rail transit system that operates at a $6.3 million annual deficit and the proposed rail transit system which will presumably operate at a staggering deficit, as well, is that the new rail transit system will have 150-mile-per-hour trains. Why have one underutilized, operationally inadequate transit system when American travelers can have two that are rarely used?
Of course, the new $13 billion high-speed train system is meant to serve as a disincentive for American travelers to drive the 100,000 automobiles that the Obama Administration encouraged them to buy three weeks ago.
Spend lots of money on more cars, while already spending lots of money to subsidize one underutilized rail transit system, then spend lots of money to build another rail transit system, then stop driving the cars that cost lots of money and ride the new underutilized rail transit system that cost lots of money to build and costs lots of money to operate, instead, while there already was an underutilized transit system?
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amikewlorwhat
1:18AM 1:18AM Apr 17th 2009
i didn't vote for the dumb***. he's like a freshman running a hiogh school student council, very naive, too optimistic, not realistic, and too spread ut on all the wrong things. its ok im sure in the next 3 n a half years the country will have learned from this horrible mistake and we'll be red again, atleast in the house and senate in teh next two anyways HOPEFULLY.
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barton
10:15PM 10:15PM Apr 17th 2009
dumb ass
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tort
9:53AM 9:53AM Apr 18th 2009
You are so silly...how do you think the whole interstate system got built you nut. The same way. The train program is exactly what needs to be done...if you have ever been to Europe you might understand. Get a grip...or an education.
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brockj661
5:56AM 5:56AM Apr 19th 2009
DO YOU KNOW WHY TERRORISTS HAVE NOT GONE AFTER ANY KIND OF PASSENGER RAILWAY YET,BECAUSE THEY KNOW NOBODY REALLY RIDES THEM,AND ONE QUESTION IS THIS MONEY GOING TO BE USED TO START CONSTRUCTION OR IS IT FOR JUST PLANNING?.IN CALIFORNIA IT WILL TAKE YEARS FOR THE PLANNING AND AT LEAST ANOTHER 2 OR 3 JUST FOR ALL THE LAWSUITS BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO WILL OPPOSE IT,THESE TRAINS WILL NOT EVEN START OPERATION FOR AT LEAST 3 TO 5 YEARS ,AND THAT IS IF EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY,WHICH IT NEVER WILL?JUST GIVE ALL THAT MONEY TO PEOPLE WHO DESERVE IT,THESE HIGH SPEED RAILS WILL LOOSE MONEY FOR THE FIRST 10 OR 15 YEARS OF OPERATION,THIS IS JUST A MONEY PIT WITH NO REALUPSIDE ANYWHERE!!!!!
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Grant06
4:09AM 4:09AM Apr 17th 2009
i totally disagree with your take on this project. Frankly, you're comparing apples to oranges. If I had a dependable rail system that did not compete against freight thus losing the battle of timing and schedule, I would ride it.
A highspeed rail link from San Diego to Seattle would be a smash hit! Your totally dismisall of the idea is really odd. Imagine the fuel savings and decreased environment damage a high speed rail line would generate.
Where as the Bush administration and Republican congress tried to sell us a bridge to know where 1/3 of a billion, I think a trans-continental rail line for eight billion or twelve is more than worth the investment. If we're going to spend the money anyway, why not build something useful?
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Rudy
1:54PM 1:54PM Apr 17th 2009
...have you checked the prices for amtrak? they're ridiculous, and its way to slow. You can fly for cheaper, faster, with a better schedule. Why the hell are we gonna waste more money into this shit? We have cars which are perfect for trips up to 4 or 5 hrs ( 200 to 300 miles) maybe even 400 miles. after that, it becomes easier and more economical to start flying. I'm not gonna go on a 1000 mile trip on a train and take 8hrs when i can do it on a plan in 2 hrs 15mins, for the same or cheaper with multiple flights a day. This is the biggest waste of money and reeks of government kickback
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Eleanor
8:24AM 8:24AM Apr 17th 2009
I rode the high speed train while in France and it was a wonderful experience. Why has it taken so long for the U.S. to have high speed rail?
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ron
11:33AM 11:33AM Apr 18th 2009
It has taken this long, because flying makes far more sense.
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jaqc
6:59AM 6:59AM Apr 19th 2009
Why has it taken the U.S. so long to have an efficient high-speed rail system like France, Germany, Japan, China, Spain, Turkey, etc.? Because of the average American's attitude that "Heck, y'all, I is gonna fly or drive before I get on a train. Woohoo!!!" Improving the rail system and increasing the number of users isn't just economically sound but a way to reduce carbon emissions and help the environment. It's just that until now, there has been no political will and understanding to push a rail system.
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trainsontheirbrains
8:53AM 8:53AM Apr 17th 2009
Grant06
If you want it on the west coast, you take it then. We here in the midwest (Wisconsin) have had multiple voter referendums on this rail project for years, and each time an outstanding majority have voted it down as useless, wasteful, and an assualt on our beautiful natural countryside and wildlife. You may get where your going but then what do you do? It bypasses all the small towns, so it is unless for any commuter use here, and when you get where your going on the choo-choo, then what do you do? Rent a car? Call and wait and hour for a cab? Try to figure out a bus schedule? All our biz parks were located in obscure semi-rural areas where the buses don't run, because the Madison elite didn't want any industry within eyesight of their trendy bistros, high rise condos, empty arts centers and palacial McMansions. It is still being forced down our throats and against our will by Gov. Jim Doyle. It is a completely impractical and intrusive waste of our tax dollars. The people of Wisconsin have spoken, and they are again ignored.
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Grant06
4:03PM 4:03PM Apr 17th 2009
I might agree with you Chris. I'm not sure why Wisonsin would want a high speed train. I guess the question would be from where to where?
In retrospect, I'm sure some folks used these same arguments they are using now against Highspeed Rail that were used against the Interstate highway system, but when considered now, I beleive that the Interstates have served a useful purpose and were worth the investment.
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revblueroor
8:54AM 8:54AM Apr 17th 2009
the reason amtrack is running at a loss is because the service is so bad, and it takes too long to get antwhere. high speed trains on dedicated tracks will make money, particularly when oil companies are trying to build their obscene profits.
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brockj661
6:12AM 6:12AM Apr 19th 2009
WHAT THE HELL DOES OIL COMPANY PROFITS HAVE TO DO WITH HIGH SPEED RAIL CONSTRUCTIONTHATS LIKE SAYING HIGH SPEED RAIL WILL EVENTUALLYPUT ALL THE TIRE COMPANIES OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL DRIVE LESS,SOME PEOPLE MAKE THE STUPIDEST ARGUEMENTS FOR OR AGAINST CERTAIN IDEAS THAT THEY NO NOTHING ABOUT,WE SHOULD BUILD HIGH SPEED RAIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE IT IN EUROPE OR IT WILL CUT BACK ON POLLUTION BECAUSE LESS PEOPLE WILL DRIVE,HIGH SPEED RAIL SOUNDS REALLY COOL,YAH GO AHEAD TAKE A TRAIN FROM LA TO SANFRANSISCO,AFTER DRIVING TO TREAIN STATION AND PARKING YOUR CAR GET ON TRAIN THAT SHOULD BE A 2 HOUR RIDE (LA TO SF ROUGHLY 2 HOURS AT 100 MPH)BUT WAIT YOU HAVE AT LEAT 4 STOPS ALONG THE WAY AT 10 OR 15 MINUTES A PIECE,ONCE IN SAN FRANM YOU GET OFF AND GET LUGGAGE THAN GO GET ON A BUS OR ANOTHER TRAIN ONCE YOU ARRIVE AT NEXT TRAIN STATION OR BUS DEPOT,GO GET A CAB AND FIND YOUR HOTEL OR WHATEVER,ONCE THER PROBABLY YOU MIGHT NEED A RENTAL CAR OR JUST GET A CAB)s0 THAT HIGH SPEED RAILIS GONNA TAKE YOU AT LEAST 4 HOURS TO TRAVEL ABOUT THE SAME TIME DRIVING THIS DISTANCE WOULD HAVE MINUS THE HEADACHE OF PARKING AND BAGGAGE .hIGH SPEED RAIL SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA TO SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN THERE OWN FANTASY WORLD!!!!!!
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Kris
8:55AM 8:55AM Apr 17th 2009
Grant06If you want it on the west coast, you take it then. We here in the midwest (Wisconsin) have had
multiple voter referendums on this rail project for years, and each time an outstanding majority have voted it down as useless, wasteful, and an assualt on our beautiful natural countryside and wildlife. You may get where your going but then what do you do? It bypasses all the small towns, so it is unless for any commuter use here, and when you get where your going on the choo-choo, then what do you do? Rent a car? Call and wait and hour for a cab? Try to figure out a bus schedule? All our biz parks were located in obscure semi-rural areas where the buses don't run, because the Madison elite didn't want any industry within eyesight of their trendy bistros, high rise condos, empty arts centers and palacial McMansions. It is still being forced down our throats and against our will by Gov. Jim Doyle. It is a completely impractical and intrusive waste of our tax dollars. The people of Wisconsin have spoken, and they are again ignored.
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LAIDBACKMAMA
9:03AM 9:03AM Apr 17th 2009
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE ANYONE HAS PAID ANY ATTENTION TO THE WAY A LOT OF AMERICANS PREFER TO TRAVEL. FLYING IS GOOD, BUT THE TRAINS HAVE A MORE SCENIC VIEW, YOU CAN WALK AROUND AND REALLY STRECH YOU LEGS, AND REALLY DENOTES ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR. MY PARENTS HAVE BEEN A FAN OF AMTRAK FOR SO LONG, HOWEVER, THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE MY TO USE THE TRAINS MORE. IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!
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Angiebaby
9:13AM 9:13AM Apr 17th 2009
I wonder what kind of renewable energy the trains will run on. Um, that is a requirement, is it not, since it's required for you and me to get money or a tax break on a new form of personal transportation? If these trains are developed by neo-traditional American standards, they will be high speed cattle cars where you have to buy two seats if your ass isn't smaller than a size 10. And watch out for the kids with peanut butter and jelly on their hands so they don't leave palm prints on your suit when they run by your seat.
President Obama sees this as one part of the answer to stimulating the economy and creating jobs, and I think prisoners should be forced to build the railway. That is our deepest untouched pool of physical labor in this country. Give them something to do besides get fat, lazier and meaner. They can keep the limited amount of earned money they are allowed to have in prison, the remainder going to care for their children's needs. The one's who are not lifers will actually leave prison with some useful work skills.
Now I just need to get the President on board with utilizing the prison labor pool, and the American people on board with demanding a decent, comfortable, high speed railway system which is on time, humane and a method of transportation the passengers actually look forward to using!
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eric
9:34AM 9:34AM Apr 17th 2009
I totally agree with Grant06. And I cannot understand why people continue to bash this administration. Look at Europe and Asia. They have found a way to make it work. China has a mag-level train that operates at a very high speed. Germany, England, and France have their own high-speed rail systems as well. Now - the US is just beginning to look at this in our country, and the really unbelievable part of this is the technology for parts of those rail systems was developed and designed - guess where? Here in the US. I worked at a firm that actually developed the rail cars for these projects (with the assistance of other companies as well), and did not know why this wasn't being considered, much less implemented here in the States.
The President is encouraging people to buy cars NOW, because that is all we have NOW. If this iniative was implemented tomorrow, it would most likely take years to implement - design through construction.
Can't we wake up and realize that this kind of thinking is exactly what we need at this moment in time? Think of the amount of jobs this would create - and not just blue collar jobs - Engineering, Architectural, Program and Project Management jobs as well. Come on now - let's think a bit before writing something stupid that just bashes this administration for spending. If my children and grandchildren can have use of a high speed train to go across the country in a day, what possibilities and opportunities could that provide? Think people.
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bobpaine
11:14AM 11:14AM Apr 17th 2009
Thank you Joe for bringing us into the 21st century
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mikey
12:07PM 12:07PM Apr 17th 2009
what an idiotic fool! yeah dumb ass america ,,we are paying for this overzealous babies spending sprees! we are losing jobs ,homes,cars, etc because of this maniac barack INSANE obama! what a joke,,if hes not partying with hollywood lowlifes hes thinking of how to waste more money and give the gov control of everything.. WELCOME TO THE NEW WORLD ORDER! IMPEACH OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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mikey
12:11PM 12:11PM Apr 17th 2009
IS ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT BARACK INSANE OBAMA IS A WEIRDO? WE ARE PAYING FOR THESE BILLION DOLLOR PROJECTS THAT THIS FOOL COMES UP WITH DAILY..WE LOSE JOBS ,CARS, HOUSES AND THIS NUT WANTS TO BUILD A RAIL SYSTEM..MAKE IT EASIER TO SHIP US ALL AROUND TO DIFFERENT NEW WORLD OPRDER CONCENTRATION CAMPS..IMPEACH NOW OR WE DEAD YOU IDIOTS.
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