"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Amtrak Train 715. We're expecting a smooth ride today and should be moving along right on time," said the voice of the train conductor over the loudspeaker. He then continued, "And thanks for joining us for National Train Day". The loudspeaker then turned off, and was followed instantly by the voice of an incredulous woman a few rows behind who said "What?"
Amtrak
Trains Are Not Planes
Amtrak and other rail systems are using air travel as their model of service, which Alex Marshall argues is a big mistake given the advantages of rail that they fail to exploit.
Governing Magazine
Amtrak Reauthorization & Safety Bill Signed
Two weeks after Congress passed HR 2095, Bush signed this bill to double Amtrak funding and mandate safety technology to prevent Metrolink-like crashes. It may be a precursor to greatly expanded transit spending in the next administration.
Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin
California Transit: It'll Drive You To Drive
Northern California planner and lawyer Joel Ellinwood has committed himself to riding trains and public transit whenever possible. He's learning a lot along the way.
California Planning & Development Report
McCain Votes Against Transit
John McCain was one of two dozen senators to vote last week against a bill that included $1.5 billion to fund D.C. transit.
Washington Post
Amtrak Funding Bill Passes
The Senate has passed a bill that will allocate $2.5 billion for Amtrak annually, with money going to operation, repairs, and new safety measures.
The Wall Street Journal
Rail Safety Bill Mired In Amtrak Politics
Federal legislation that would require and partially fund Positive Train Control technology, which, had it been installed by Metrolink, would have prevented the Sept. 12 crash, is held up in the Senate by a fiscal hawk wary of funding Amtrak.
The Wall Street Journal
'Live From A Moving Train' News Broadcast Set For 9/15
"Good Morning America" in cooperation with Amtrak will launch a 'Whistle-Stop' Tour at Grand Central Station on Mon, Sept. 15 - one full week live, two hours daily from a moving train featuring five station stops, making for a 'technology first'.
ABC News
Amtrak's Struggle To Catch Up To Demand
This article from Next American City looks at rising ridership on Amtrak and how the train operator is not quite ready to handle it.
Next American City
Biden Bodes Well for Rail
Transit supporters may have reason to rejoice in the selection of Sen. Joe Biden as Obama's V.P. pick.
Daily Kos
NPR's Talk of the Nation Highlights Amtrak Long Distance Travel
Former travel editor Catherine Watson is interviewed on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about her Amtrak trip on three long-distance trains from Minnesota to New Mexico that illustrate the difference between travel and transportation.
National Public Radio - Talk of the Nation
Time to Take Rail Plans National
This article from the San Francisco Chronicle argues it's time for a national rail plan.
The San Francisco Chronicle
Amtrak in the Spotlight
The much-maligned rail system is being reconsidered, as gas prices and environmental awareness send people looking for solutions. But can Amtrak step up to the plate?
Newsweek
Amtrak Struggles To Meet Skyrocketing Demand
With unprecedented demand, Amtrak is hampered by years of neglect. The agency is unable to handle all the new customers resulting from high gas prices and plane tickets and is struggling to replace aged equipment and pay for increased fuel costs.
The New York Times
Riding Amtrak Across the U.S.
GOOD Magazine sends a reporter across country on Amtrak to give a riders-eye view of the system.
GOOD Magazine
Making Amtrak A National Priority
With ridership up nationwide, the next president should start getting serious about investing in passenger rail service, argues a recent column.
The Boston Globe
Kunstler: Passenger Rail Only Way to Avoid a Transportation Crisis
As airlines go bankrupt and gasoline prices climb upwards, James Howard Kunstler wonders why passenger rail continues to fall off the political radar.
James Howard Kunstler's Blog












