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Most riders appreciate the opportunity to meet other people and view the scenery on the train. But these days, train travel can play a role in helping people conserve energy.
In an era of high gasoline prices (that could easily be the way of the future), it makes sense to have rail passenger service as an alternative
to either automobiles or the airlines. Rail already is an important part of the transportation system in the densely populated northeast corridor, where trains provide additional links between the major cities.
But it also can play an important role in the rest of the country — particularly in medium-length regional routes, such as between Chicago and the Twin Cities.
A record 25 million passengers rode Amtrak trains in 2007. If energy prices continue to rise, that total will likely go up as well. And there are signs that support for rail passenger service is on the increase in Congress as well.
Members of the House of Representatives last month passed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which provides funding for Amtrak for the next five years — $1.3 billion for capital costs, $606 million for operations and $345 million for debt service in each of the next five years.
In addition, Congress added a provision to help resolve differences between Amtrak and the private railroads, which own the track the passenger trains use.
Those disputes are the reason why Amtrak does not meet its efficiency requirements. Rail passenger service takes a back seat to the freight service operated by the private railroads. The most on-time Amtrak service takes place where private railroads are most cooperative about sharing the rails.
The House bill includes a provision that allows a federal agency called the Surface Transportation Board to mediate conflicts between Amtrak and the private railroads. That’s a good idea, and one that potentially could improve Amtrak’s efficiency.
Because the Senate passed a different version of the bill, a conference committee, made up of representatives of both houses, will have to resolve the differences.
Let’s hope that the mediation idea survives — and that the new bill includes adequate funding. In a time of high energy costs — and high energy uncertainty — we need rail passenger service as yet another resource and alternative.
