(erielack) New Passenger Routes --- What is the answer?

["JACK5008_@_webtv.net"]

I don't claim to be an expert on passenger train economics, but I ask
one simple question. Why have many foreign countries, including China,
entertained privatization plans while the United States and Canada just
stick with a (non business) government operation.

While NJTransit maybe one of your better agencies, others fall far short
of their goals.

We have an opportunity to test the waters with three potential routes
- --- New York-Poconos, Utica-Lake Placid, and Pittsburgh-Cleveland. The
progressive management of the New York Central System advocated
passenger operation on short routes to play with the airlines at their
own game. The Northeast Corridor proves this point.

On the proposed New York-Pocono route a test case for privatization may
just be in order. A fair tax situation, modern work rules, and business
marketing might prove successful. If you say it can't work, find out how
Europe and Japan do it.

As for the Unions, which I am a member, tell me what you think of the
removal of conductors on Via Rail Canada and on Chicago and Philadelphia
subways. Private companies didn't do this.

With all the studies that are made that waist tax payer dollars and
accomplish nothing, lets have a positive study that doesn't. Let us see
what foreign countries are doing right. Let us take this into
consideration in the plans for a New York-Pocono route. Let us monitor
the operations of the Utica-Lake Placid route. For those who say that
the state is participating in the rebuilding of the right of way ---
fine. Let us study this aspect too. The government maintains interstates
and airports, but it doesn't operate Trailways, Consolidated
Freightways, or Continental.

It may be noted that private offers have been made for Amtrak, but the
politicians have just ignored them. It is another example of how
politicians want to control all aspects of our lives and create jobs for
their friends.

The transportation socialists looked oversees in the 50's and 60's to
promote nationalized railroads. Let us now look oversees to see if
passenger trains can be run as a progressive business.   


Jack Grasso


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