More Public Transport - Stimulus Money that may be worth something.

[OriginalWheelman]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/16/obama.rail/

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Obama unveiled his administration's blueprint for a new national network of high-speed passenger rail lines Thursday, saying such an investment is necessary to reduce traffic congestion, cut dependence on foreign oil and improve the environment.

The president's plan identifies 10 potential high-speed intercity corridors for federal funding, including California, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, the Southeast, the Gulf Coast, Pennsylvania, Florida, New York and New England.

It also highlights potential improvements in the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor running from Washington to Boston, Massachusetts.

Each of the corridors identified by the president's report are between 100 and 600 miles long. The blueprint envisions some trains traveling at top speeds of over 150 mph.

Federal grants would also be directed toward separate individual rail projects that are deemed "ready to go," with preliminary engineering and environmental work already completed.

"My high-speed rail proposal will lead to innovations that change the way we travel in America. We must start developing clean, energy-efficient transportation that will define our regions for centuries to come," Obama said at an event near the White House.

The president cited the success of high-speed rail in European countries such as France and Spain as a positive example for the United States.

His plan would be funded in part through the recently passed $787 billion stimulus plan, which includes a total of $8 billion for improvements in rail service. Obama has also proposed a separate five-year, $5 billion investment in high-speed rail as part of the administration's suggested fiscal year 2010 budget.

I'm a personal fan of trains for transport. Rush hour in my region could easily be solved by a better rail network. Not like we'll see any of these funds, but this could help to make trains more of a mainstream mode of transportation.

[DJ Raijin]

I'm a fan of trains too, but not like what Pittsburgh has (commonly referred to as "The T"). Those are slow and a traffic nuisance.

I'd like to see some sort of Magna-Lev system implemented or a Monorail.

[480sx]

Agreed. Mass transit benefits everyone. Mag lev or MonoRail trains ftw.

[smockers83]

Here in Michigan, there are plans for two passenger rail to supplement two major corridors.

The first is between Ann Arbor and Detroit along the I-94 corridor more as a means for a public transit system between the two cities that doesn't exist. The other is from Howell to Ann Arbor along the US-23 corridor. Both of these corridors, especially US-23, can no longer handle the capacity currently present, particularly during rush hour.

[WDRacing]

I'm a big fan myself. I used to take the "T" into Boston when I was young. No parking fee's, no traffic...good times at night when the freaks are out. Buddy of mine also put himself through college playing the Sax in the subway. Granted he was wicked good

WD

[OriginalWheelman]

See something like this would virtually negate the need for a car for most of the commuters.



The blue is the existing (joke of a) passenger rail system in Buffalo, the yellow being where I would add lines.

[smockers83]

That's a hell of a bridge in the middle of the lake.

[OriginalWheelman]

That one is the US / Canada border.

[smockers83]

The day sarcasm can be portrayed over the internet...

[bluepillow]

<threadjack>

Wheelman, is UB anywhere near the train? I'm transferring there in the fall and I'm deciding on whether or not I'm gonna buy a car. Can I get to the city in decent time without having to drive?

</threadjack>

[hannibal]

Tranist authorities have been asking for this for years, but no one has provided the funding. Hopefully, this will go forward...

[HashiriyaS14]

Obama seems big on interstate rail and urban rail transport.

In regards to interstate rail, while I LOVE a long train trip, it is the best way to travel, I'm not sure it works as well here as it does in Europe, just because of the much longer distances.

I can see, perhaps, doing it along the West Coast, LA to SF to Seattle. It already more or less exists in the East Coast (called the "Accela Corridor" for a reason).

I am all for more urban rail though. I come from a city with a top-notch public rail transit system and it is utilized to the absolute fullest extent. I'd never live anywhere without a similar system, which means that I'd never live in LA or Atlanta.

MARTA is nice and all, but it's just like a straight line, it isn't effective at getting people from the city to the suburbs in all directions like DC Metro. MARTA trains are nice though.

[OriginalWheelman]

<threadjack>

Wheelman, is UB anywhere near the train? I'm transferring there in the fall and I'm deciding on whether or not I'm gonna buy a car. Can I get to the city in decent time without having to drive?

</threadjack>

UB is not close to the rail system. UB itself runs a large bus fleet between the city and North Campus, and from the city campus you can get a NFTA bus to anywhere IN THE CITY. If you want to stay in the city you shouldn't need a car but if you plan to go anywhere else you will.
Modified by OriginalWheelman at 1:07 PM 5/6/2009

[ishkabibble]

I come from a city with a top-notch public rail transit system and it is utilized to the absolute fullest extent. I'd never live anywhere without a similar system,

I would. Portland rules.

Who needs rail when you can bike everywhere...