More options for better transportation and an economic boost–trains!

Good read in the NYT today, A Trainspotter’s Guide to the Future of the World about public transportation and rail systems in Europe and Asia and the painful lack of rail infrastructure in the States. I truly wish we had a better train system (and that it was affordable to ride. When I was in College I used to ride the train between Philly and Harrisburg (and sometimes hop up to NYC before the prices skyrocketed). The train ride was relaxing, smooth and convenient but alas now that I am several years out of college and employed I can’t afford to ride Amtrak anymore.

The quote from the article (below) deserves attention–we are trying to create jobs, boost the economy, reduce fuel consumption and become better stewards of our environment–right? Well, it seems to me investment in a new “New Deal” to build rail infrastructure seems to be a solution in waiting to all these issues–for the citizens it’s win-win. However, to understand why the investment won’t happen we have to examine who would potentially lose–car manufacturers and the oil industry–the robber barons of the old, failed economy still hold the power…I hope if you agree you will think about pushing for this investment with your representatives, if you disagree, leave me a comment on why.

The reasons for America’s laggardliness is easily explained. To begin with, the initial investment in a rail network costs an awful lot of money, which national governments usually provide as a “public good.” That in turn means that the taxpayer pays, which is much less disagreeable when the taxpayer can observe the satisfactory results of that investment. In America, most of the country feels that it is handing over funds solely to support East Coast and West Coast commuters.