Various pro-passenger rail articles, essays and other material
that can help passenger rail advocates argue for expanded
passenger rail service. The Webmaster will be happy to post
additional materials Web site viewers suggest as useful.Please contact webmaster for Word
versions of these posters.
Passenger
rail points Valuable information to help you argue for
passenger rail. Includes flyers, essays and other writings by
people ranging from travel agents to Amtrak Reform Council
members.
Writings
on passenger rail Essays and other writings by people
ranging from travel agents to Amtrak Reform Council members. Good
reading and information on how to improve U.S. passenger rail.
Passenger
rail points:
Flyer
to help save Missouri's passenger trains. This
is a Word flyer can be handed to passengers traveling on the Ann
Rutledge and Kansas City/ St. Louis Mules which provide
twice-daily service between Missouri's biggest cities. The train
serves an important part of Missouri's traveling public and
according to a Missouri Dept. of Transportation study, enjoys a
significant (15%) amount of public support. It may be
best to download this file to your computer. Please
print, copy and distribute to cities, chambers of commerces,
colleges and others interested in preserving the state's
passenger trains.
Web
version
Saving
the Southwest Chief This fact sheet describes the
importance of keeping one of Amtrak's premier long-distance
passenger trains, the Southwest Chief, which runs from Chicago to
Los Angeles through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and
Arizona. Information about one of Amtrak's most popular and
profitable long-distance trains.
Web version It may be best to download this file to
your computer.
Passenger
rail points This is a one-page (front and
back) flyer providing arguments rail advocates. The flyer
compares passenger trains to airplanes, cars and buses in terms
of subsidies, cities served, environmental and travel benefits.
Benefits
of long-distance trains Explains how Amtrak's long-distance trains, the
ones that serve the majority of the U.S. population, serve a
vital role in transporting passengers and are not the
"money-losers" that Amtrak has labeled them.
Long-distance trains, which have longer average passenger trips,
carry more passenger miles and passengers per mile.
Federal
transportation funding by mode, 1982-2002 (NARP)
Chart shows federal investments in transportation infrastructure.
History of passenger train funding Speech by Amtrak Reform Council member James Coston which really goes into the inequal funding of rail transport. It's long but very worthwhile reading. Lots of facts in here, including a very long federal history of supporting aviation and highways. A must-read for passenger rail proponents.
Rail
Travel Center's proposal for Amtrak service Views from a travel agent that
has booked many Amtrak trips. The writer describes the spirit of
pessimism that has dominated Amtrak's thinking has prevented the
carrier from expanding routes that would decrease federal subsidy
requirements and make for a more profitable Amtrak. Many other
points.
Long-distance
trains: sinkhole or scapegoat? From the director of the Midwest High Speed Rail
Coalition. He explains how even Amtrak doesn't have accurate
information on demand for long-distance passenger trains. A good
defensive of the trains that serve the majority of Americans.
U.S.
Rail is at a crossroads
From a University of Kansas School of Law instructor,
describes the U.S. government's deliberate shortchanging of
proper rail transportation funding.
