Why do we have to go through this every year?


Most industrialized countries have rail systems that are far better than ours and even at that, there are those in congress who don't care if it gets worse of disappears entirely. Every year Amtrak must go hat-in-hand begging for adequate subsidies to keep operating and improve the system. They have improved the system over the years but it almost takes a superhuman effort to do so.

Now the fiscal 2005 appropriations fight has begun, with Amtrak and the Administration repearing their fiscal 2004 requests--$1.8 bllion and $900 million, respectively. What is new is the early intensity of Chairman Istook's attempt to shut down Amtrak. (Mr. Istook is the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcomittee on Transportion.)

I will never understand the attitude of some people in congress in regards to Amtrak. Some say it is no good and should be scrapped, or at least replaced by something else. What pray tell! If these same politicians would go to France or Germany or Italy, or Spain, or Japan, they would see what a well funded rail system can do. But no, we limp along with an underfunded system, with a relatively slow system (except for the Northeast Corridor) and with equipment that is too heavy and cumbersome to operate efficiently and on railbeds shared with even heavier freight trains which take their toll on the infrastructure and interfere with passenger service scheduling.

For more information about high speed rail including plans for the State of California click here.