This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/saveamtrak to TrainWeb.US/saveamtrak.
God Bless America Save Amtrak web site! It's Good To Have You On Board! 
THE PEOPLE SPEAK <<<<<1/10/02-3/8/02 Read More Comments <<<<<3/18/02-7/2/02 |
| Mail Comments to thepeoplespeak@saveamtrak.us
|
| President Bush:
Being a Republican for over 52 years I would like to go on record saying that in the short 2 years that you have been President you have done more to better this country that any I can remember. What do I like about you most ?. You say what you mean and do what you say. That is more than I can say about the people we have in Washington. I guess what I should say is Brownback. This man can talk with you while turning around and you never lose his face. I will say no more about him. I think you understand what I am saying. Now I am asking you for a favor. Please do what you can to save Amtrak. Just remember on thing and that is this country is about to go to war. You can't move troops 100 at a time so trying to get them from one place to another you need Amtrak to help protect our country. In other words Amtrak in not only need to transport people from one city to another but in case of war who will you turn. Greyhound bus, I don't think so. I don't think it is to much to fund Amtrak with 1.2 Billion a year for the next ten years as you did the Airlines and they went through that like it was running out of a water tap. Amtrak is asking for 1/2 Billion over a year and just look what that will do for Amtrak and the many hundred thousands that depend on it daily. My wife Ann and I have traveled on Amtrak since 1994 to the tune of 103.000 miles. We feel that this country would not be the same without a rail service like Amtrak. We enjoy Amtrak, We need Amtrak and we look very poorly at those that would derail Amtrak. Like I say. You have done more in two years that Clinton ever done for this country. In some ways I understand why he did so little. It is have to run a country from under a desk with a young woman. Thank you for taken time to read this and please help us older people that depend on for many things. We are the type of people that will look back over the 4 years that you are in office and you can bet your last dollar when we go to the voting booth we will put a big black X behind your name. Thanks again James D. C
P.S. I will be sending this out two other people that are fighting for
Amtrak as we are.
|
| From Julie F
Let's face it, the only thing this country promises its citizens is opportunity. Housing, education,food, medical care, are not guaranteed. You have to buy them, which means you have to seek opportunities to make the money you need to buy these things. But opportunity is meaningless without CHOICE. Choice implies options: what is right for you may not be right for someone else, but everyone needs to have options in order to exercise CHOICE. Where does Amtrak come into the picture? If Amtrak is allowed to die, is killed or otherwise incapacitated,the traveling public will no longer have the full range of options. They will no longer enjoy the twin promises this country prides itself on--opportunity and choice. For example: if the Empire Builder is crippled, the folks along the Hi-Line will no longer have a way to access needed, sometimes crucial, medical care in the big urban centers. People will be forced into taking planes out of the regional airports, often at exorbitant expense. If roads are closed due to winter weather, people will have no choices at all. In a country which blows its horn constantly about opportunity and choice, it never fails to amaze me how often we see the monopolies getting away with everything. Think about it, and bring it to the attention of your "representatives." Dec 3,2002  To
Home Page
|
| To the webmaster:
Great site, I visit often to check for updates. I do have a question for you, however. With the incoming Commerce Committee chair to be Senator McCain--a known Amtrak critic, and one of my least favorite republicans, how come he is not posted with Mr. Mica? I think we all need to let McCain know we disagree with him on this, regardless of whether we live in AZ or not. It certainly can't hurt. Good luck, and keep it up! -Chris- PS- I realize that you can easily get his contact info along with those of other senators, but perhaps a blurb about him may be helpful? Chris-Per your request I added Senator McCain back on to the save Amtrak web site. Nov 24,2002. |
|
I have recently been to the white house website. PLEASE E-mail President Bush and urge him to Persuade Congress to save Amtrak. Tell him America needs Amtrak---especially if it is to go to war with Saddam. We will need trains when the Saudi Nation decides to side with Iraq, taking its oil with it. Once that happens, trains will be vital to oil conservation in America!!!! President Bush's E--Mail is...
Amtrak also needs to work on its management. It needs to anticipate
delays and work problems out with freight railroads. It should cut down
on less profitable routes until they get back on their feet, but they should
NOT cancel long Distance service. They should also see about getting some
private funding. They would not sell the company, but would get contributions
from Companies. For example, In Florida, they could build a Rail Line to
Disneyworld and Have Disney Pay for it. Then Disney would also help Amtrak
pay for the trains on the route and other fees. Amtrak and Disney would
work together to attract more families to Disneyworld by way of Amtrak.
It would be a win-win situation. Amtrak could also lease its dining cars
to private restaurants, making rent and being relieved of costly dining
car charges, both at the same time. Amtrak could also make $$$ by leasing
the outside of their railcars as giant billboards to companies. The company
would pay rent on the car, and Amtrak would have the car Painted in that
company's colors.
I urge all of you to write Amtrak's current president, David Gunn, with
your ideas on how to save Amtrak---his Office Address is...
A few unusual reasons I can think of are.... TRAINS CONSERVE MORE OIL THAN PLANES AND ONE TRAIN CAN DO THE WORK OF TEN AIRPLANES WITH THE FUEL OF LESS THAN ONE!!!---tHIS IS SOMETHING PRESIDENT BUSH HAS TO CONSIDER IF HE DECIDES TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAQ AND THE SAUDIS SIDE WITH IRAQ AND DO NOT ALLOW US TO USE THEIR OIL. TRAINS CAN'T BE USED AS MISSILES OF MASS DESTRUCTION LIKE AN AIRPLANE CAN! TRAINS ARE AN ALTERNATIVE TO AIR TRAVEL AND MAY REALLY BE NEEDED IF THERE WERE EVER ANOTHER ATTACK SIMILAR TO SEPTEMBER 11TH! SHUTTING DOWN AMTRAK NOW WILL HINDER ALL POSSIBILITIES OF A NATIONAL RAIL SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE REALLY NEED IT. PLEASE WRITE BUSH AND DAVID GUNN, SO MY CHILDREN CAN TRAVEL ON AMTRAK
WHEN THEY BECOME ADULTS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, DEVOTED TO SAVING AMTRAK AT ANY COST!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME,
WEBMASTER--PLEASE POST THIS ON YOUR SITE---THANK YOU. Oct 12,2002
|
|
Over a hundred years ago the U.S. government handed to the fledgling Railroad companies, thousands of acres of land adjacent to the routes to be used for cross-country transportation. Maybe it is time for the Railroads to return the favor and give up the huge subsidies they receive from Amtrak for allowing Amtrak to run on their lines. Passenger service is essential to the economic health of this Country and the various Railroad Companies have an obligation to insure it's survival. I must also add. The fact that Amtrak feels the necessity to haul freight to survive, is asinine. Low cost passenger service should be Amtrak's goal and function. I must also echo the notion that Amtrak has indeed been poorly managed from the beginning. Mark B Sept 26 |
| Dear Sirs-
Perhaps the most infuriating assertion in favor of government support of any transportation is that it is a "necessity". It isn't. People choose to transport either themselves or their goods for their own reasons. They alone should be responsible for fulfilling their choices. If citizens want to support Amtrak, they have the ability to do so. They can purchase tickets, or even donate money to the corporation. Why is it necessary for Amtrak backers to attempt to fulfill their vision by compelling others to contribute against their will in the form of taxes? Could it be that they know that Amtrak cannot survive any other way, that travelers do not choose to ride? Of course, it is easier to use other people's money to achieve your goals than to use your own. Thank you for shedding light on the enormous subsidization of other means of transportation. To do so should not give impetus to the competing desire to tax the populace more in support of passenger rail. It should serve to alert the public that a great disservice is being done, and that all such taxes and subsidizations should be eliminated. That would be the more responsible way to level the playing field. Sincerely Yours- Sept 19,2002 |
|
I sent the following email to President Bush and other government officials. I thought you might want a copy... Subj: Save Amtrak...Nationwide... Date: 9/11/2002 To: president@whitehouse.gov Mr. President. My house mate, Don, who is a retired Navy vet of 20 years
service, and I have now taken 4 annual Amtrak train trips to see our country.
WHY? Because we are tired of cruises and VERY TIRED of all the hassles
that
Don and I have had wonderful times on the train and have found that the train is a lot more affordable, especially on a US Military retirement pension. This past May, we went to Philadelphia-a first time visit for both of us. What a great experience! And because of Amtrak and the more reasonable fares, we were able to stay longer. We also got a military discount from a local hotel which definitely helped the budget. So far, we have been to Chicago four times, New Orleans twice, San Francisco twice, Seattle, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Washington, DC, Philadelphia and New York all on Amtrak. We are already planning another trip for 2003. I know there are many issues you are dealing with today, but Amtrak
is VERY IMPORTANT to us and many of our friends. By the way, we have made
many new friends while traveling on the train, many we would not have known
or met had
Please honor the US Government's commitment to Amtrak and see to it that Amtrak gets the money that has been promised to them over the past 31 years. So far, our government has cheated Amtrak. The USA NEEDS AMTRAK!!! Thank you for your time. Sincerely,
|
| Thank you for having your web site. It was very nicely spelled
out as to whom we need to contact. I have sent all my letters and
am crossing my fingers for Amtrak's future.
"Coast Starlight" fan, Sue Sept 5,2002 |
| ----- Original Message -----
From: k d Sent: Monday, September 02, 2002 11:59 AM To: feedback@nytimes.com Subject: HANDICAPPED ACCESS DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE ONLY WAY OUT OF PENN STATION IN NYC FOR A HANDICAPPED
PERSON IS AN ELEVATOR, ONLY 1 , WHICH GOES FROM EITHER LL OR ML TO
SL AND THAT IT WAS NOT WORKING SINCE THURSDAY AUG 29, 2002 UP AND UNTIL
NOW.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION, K D |
|
Our national leaders should get behind passenger rail service in the united states in a big way. It is really sad that less than 50 years ago the United States had a rail system that was the envy of the world. If airlines had to survive on their own profits and not depend on billions being paid by the taxpayers for ever more costly airports the majority of planes would stop flying tomorrow. The trucking companies would go out of business overnight if they had to pay for the damage they do to the interstate system. Bruce T.H |
| Bolton
England 8-8-2002 Keep up the fight for a proper American transport policy. Sad to say that the people who hold power in your country are only interested in their own greedy goals. These people have no interest in the people that they claim to represent. Your political masters only represent the mega-rich. Your transport needs and other real needs are ignored because these dreadfull people have such a short accountants eye view. We all know what your accountants can do. Amtrak gives your country a good alternative means of transportation. Several methods of passenger transportation are important, especially when the crazies of world politics still have you in their sights. Expansion of the Amtrak system would help to attract new passengers. The legal network under which Amtrak works is designed to strangle it. Last year I travelled to the four corners of your country on Amtrak. I hope to have another long holiday in the USA soon, based on Amtrak travel. Amtrak gave a view of America that one cannot see from plane, car or bus. Travel by Amtrak gives a good opportunity to meet a wide range of Americans. Fight to improve Amtrak or loose it! Peter S Bolton England, 8-8-2002 |
|
Another Point of View: Quasi-government corporations are fascist by definition. Amtrak is more oncerned with appeasing politicians and those who finance them than it is with moving passengers. It's a big, expensive joke. Let long-distance passenger rail service exist where the market demands it. Otherwise nationalize it outright, complete with means testing (to see who gets to ride for what), and taxpayer-built rights of way. Why should a factory worker in Iowa subsidize some Wall Street guy's rail commute? Last time I looked there were interstate highways in the Northeast, too. Why was it profitable at one time to carry rail passengers, while it is not so now (or since, really, about 1918 overall)? If the freight railroads want to operate passenger trains, let them. If they don't want to, don't compel them to do so. Above all, structure this industry such that the taxpayer is held harmless. If it moves, tax it. If it can still move, regulate it. After it can no longer move, subsidize it. Ric H
|
| Dear Mr. Stone:
Thank you, very much. Very few people, if any at all, have ever contemplated the risk to our country; when the oil supply starts its irrevocable fall. Our present transportation system (fly-drive) will never cope with the loss. It is extremely critical, that Amtrak not only survive, but that rail transportation must become our primary means of transportation. There is no other way that our country will ever survive. We need both regional and national rail systems.WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE OUR NATIONAL LONG DISTANCE SERVICE. James A.H Added July 22,2002 |
|
I guess Americans may not welcome advice from the old colonial power, but here goes:- First, a potted history of UK rail since WWII - 1948 the 4 main UK railways, all privately owned, are nationalised under the banner of "British Railways". BR makes a modest surplus until the mid 1950s. There are 23,000 miles of route carrying 1,000 million passengers a year. 1955 The UK Government starts an investment plan based on - diesel and electric traction to replace steam
1963 The "Beeching" report recommends abandonment of 50% of the system. Most of this report is implemented by 1971, the network now being 11,000 miles. By the 1970s BR was being subsidised at £300 million a year (£1 billion ($1.5 billion) at present prices. Ridership was 700 million passengers a year (down from 1 billion in 1960). 1995 BR is privatised as follows - train operating companies - these run the trains using leased stock
2001 Railtrack is $1 billion in debt and the government forces it into administration. UK Railways now receive about $2 billion per year in subsidy; however a lot of this goes straight out as profit to shareholders in the various companies so the "real" subsidy is closer to $1 billion. The railways are now a political football and shareholders, government and unions are squabbling with the poor old passengers suffering the fall-out. Most towns and cities of over 20,000 population have a passenger rail service of several trains a day. Most larger conurbations have one or more trains per hour connecting with London. Average speeds are around 80-100 mph for the best trains ranging down to 30 mph for commuter or rural services. 1,000 million passengers a year are carried, 50% up in 5 years, travelling 25 billion miles. This is approx 7% of the total passenger transport market. In some areas (eg London Commuter services) the market share is around 50%, even more when the London Underground is included. In contrast to the US, freight is of limited importance in the UK, other than international traffic through the Channel Tunnel - though this traffic is threatened by unofficial importing of people (illegal immigrants) who hitch rides on the boxcars. Most other developed countries such as Japan, France and Germany have similar levels of rail ridership, and all these countries subsidise their rail networks to the tune of several billion dollars a year. The United States differs from these countries in sheer size. A journey from LA to New York is going to take 36 hours even by bullet train or TGV. It is difficult to see how long-distance travel can be justified other than as a "loss-leading" tourist facility. The North East Corridor (and possibly other routes such as LA-San Francisco, Chicago-Milwaukee) is ideal for train travel. On these routes trains can compete with air on cost, time and convenience. I think Amtrak should concentrate on this sector of the market. The aim should be - increase city centre to city centre speeds to 80-100 mph average
such an operation may even be able to make a profit! I am visiting America next month and hope to travel by Amtrak (Toronto to New York) - "hope" is the word! Neil Added July 22, 2002
|
|
Mr. Stone: Please keep up the good work. I have enjoyed riding your train visiting relatives out in Arizona and I hope with your good work we can keep the trains alive. Below are my latest two inputs to the cause. Tom H
The supplemental appropriations bill has passed both houses. A
bipartisan
However, the White House has asked conferees to decrease the cost of
this
I strongly favor including the full $205 million for Amtrak in the
I do not understand the White House's bias in favor of air and highway
If the White House succeeds in killing Amtrak, President Bush can expect
not
T RH
I am extremely disappointed by the incorrect information and inappropriate
1. In the post September 11 environment, a healthy Amtrak is vital
to
2. Amtrak is the most efficient form of transportation currently
known.
3. Privatization will NEVER work. Apparently someone does
not remember
Amtrak must be preserved as is at all costs and expanded if possible.
If
T.R.H
|
|
I am 47 years old and used to ride the trains from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois with my mom when I was a child. I loved it but soon my mom started riding planes. Then in 1990 I moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico. I started riding the train again. It was the Southwest Chief from Lamy, New Mexico to Barstow, California. I would go every Christmas to visit my step-mom and Kernville, California where I graduated from high school. I went almost every year until I married in 1997. I missed Christmas in 1997 because my husband didn't want to travel out of New Mexico. In 1998 my husband died. I didn't know it but my husband left me 3 life insurance policies. I spent 1998 and 1999 riding the train frequently. I would travel with my friend in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She started me traveling in the bedrooms. One trip I started at Lamy, New Mexico and rode to Los Angeles, California. I traveled to Bakersfield where I caught a train to San Fransico. I then caught the train from there to Chicago and then back to Lamy. It was the best trip I ever had because I was able to spend the whole trip except from Los Angeles to Bakersfield on the train. It would be a shame for young people not to be able to know what it's like to ride on a train and watch the scenery fly by. It would also be a shame for these people not to feel the swaying of the train as it slows to enter the city or leave the city. I also want to visit my daughter in Springer, New Mexico. I checked the prices for Amtrak and Grayhound and Amtrak was actually cheaper. Please don't let Amtrak pass away into history. Please keep it for those of us who cannot ride planes because they are afraid to fly. I also would flunk passing through the security system because I have a metal bar attaching both sides of one of my main bones because the doctors had to break it and shorten it because it was too long. PLEASE DON'T LET THE AMTRAK GO AWAY! PLEASE FIND FUNDING TO
KEEP IT GOING.
|
|
I just finished reading NARP's long-term plan for Amtrak and I was impressed with how clearly it laid out the problem in layman's terms, as well as the growth oriented solutions it proposed. When I heard Mineta spell out the Bush Administrations' "plan" I wanted to throw up. It was so shortsighted. It follows the ARC plan, and while I don't dismiss all of the ARC's findings out of hand, the ARC made it very clear that federal funding would still be needed. The Bush/Mineta plan takes the ARC plan and throws out the funding, making it worthless. I wonder what wouyld happen if we could organize a campaign to get thousands of people to download, print and mail the entire NARP plan (or just the 5 page executive summary) and mail it to Mineta's office. The idea here is to fill his office hip deep with the NARP reports to get his attention. The NARP plan is at http://www.narprail.org/plan.pdf I think the most effective way to do that is with an e-mail campaign. I wouldn't want to be seen as spamming, but maybe we could encourage people on our e-mail lists who are interested in balanced transportation, especially those outside of the traditional rail enthusiasts, to participate. I'm formulating a basic message which might work, and help spread the word. The e-mail messages would then be forwared to thousands of people, and hopefully a substantial number will choose to participate. What do you think of this idea? Jim
|
|
I cannot envision a country such as our without a national passenger railroad system. There is only one thing wrong with Amtrak,and it is not the many loyal hardworking employees. It is politics, both internally and externally. If all these high priced, high powered people would put politics aside, I am sure they can come up with a way to provide Amtrak with the funds to run a first class passenger railroad. Added July 22,2002 To
Home Page |
|
Dear Senator Hastert: I am writing in reference to your stance on Amtrak, as a voting worker who has been able to survive without a car for the past 15 years because of Amtrak and a good local commuter system which is partnered with Amtrak. Greenhouse gas pollution. Security concerns since September 11th. Increased suburban sprawl, and decreased interest in promoting fuel efficient cars. The phenomenal amount the Federal government spends to directly and indirectly subsidize privately owned airlines. These are some of the many reasons that we should be encouraging increased rail use, not threatening to abolish it. Like you, my home state is prone to some, well, challenging winter weather. I have been able to visit my family, go on business trips, attend weddings and funerals, et al when Logan airport has been shut down with no opening in sight because of the reliability of Amtrak. And Amtrak has been very reliable in my experience over the twenty years I have been using it. In well over a hundred different trips, I have been more than a few minute late twice--- and one of those times was during a blizzard that closed down all of the airports north of Maryland. When living in Richmond, Virginia for many years, it was common knowledge-- and a standing joke-- that Amtrak was the faster than a plane or a car to both DC and New York. No lengthy commute to and from airports in remote suburbs removed from public transportation, no inexplicable delays, no hour long (now longer) check-in times, no smoggy traffic, no weirdly wasteful trips (why did I have to go to Charlotte NC to get to Washington from Virginia?), and, as I am sure you will appreciate as a man who lives in DC, although you undoubtedly have privileges that take care of this, no wondering where the heck to park once you arrive. Taking Amtrak removed a car from the I-95 gridlock, opened up a parking space in a city without one to spare, and did it producing a fraction of the air and noise pollution of a plane while taking me into the heart of the city where I wanted to be. That is efficient, and I wish everyone would appreciate its' advantages over the more subsidized and promoted ways of travel. Now I live in a city with an excellent subway system, partnered, as I said above, with Amtrak. When necessary, I have been able to take jobs in the outer suburbs because of our commuter rail system. Many of my co-workers depend on the the commuter rail system. Indeed, if it is closed on Wednesday as is possible, I can think of six co-workers in my office off the top of my head who will be stranded, and cannot guess how many more will also be. The irony of this is that I have been a federal employee since January of this year, and we just received our notice that public transportation use to and from work will be encouraged by reimbursing our costs up to $100.00. Not much of a benefit, and not much of an effort to reduce pollution and gridlock, if there is no public transit. Some of my more cynical acquaintances suspect that Amtrak is being targeted because the Northeast will be the area most effected. After all, Amtrak revenues are up 44%, ridership is up, and diversifying transportation so that we will not be crippled by a targeted attack is more important now than it ever has been. If 17 billion can be spent on air this year alone, then why begrudge the fraction of that for Amtrak? Refusing to fund Amtrak going would further tarnish Bush's image on the environment and a perceived lack of seriousness on reducing oil dependence, will further destabilize business in New York City, where so many workers rely on Amtrak partnered commuter lines, and will confirm that our politicians are out of touch with not only what voters want, but what we need, public transportation not exactly being a luxury. Keeping Amtrak solvent now, with plans for thoughtful restructuring and reform while encouraging use in the near future, would benefit current riders and be politically smart. Not doing this over such a relatively small budget looks bitter, short sighted, and like political jack saws are being played with the wellbeing of millions of commuters and Amtrak users. I hope our elected officials are smarter than this. Already the train my co-workers, my parents, and I have used more than any other long distance train, the Twilight Shoreliner from Boston to Newport News, has had its' sleeping car reduced. Now, I love this train-- overnight from Boston to DC for work, or to Williamsburg to see my parents who live nearby. Many of my co-workers prefer this train for getting back and forth to DC, over any available flight. For less money, you avoid having to get to Logan airport at 3:30 AM, lengthy cab rides, flight changes and uncertainty, to arrive in DC at the same time. My parents love this train to New York or Boston. They feel safer than when driving, especially as they grow older, and since September 11, safer than flying. I used the sleeping car whenever I could, and it was full every night I spent on it. Losing the additional revenue from the sleeper is a sacrifice Amtrak should not have been put in the position of making, and losing the appeal of available sleepers will not increase ridership. I am including links to two editorials I feel make the argument for Amtrak very well. Please rethink your stand on Amtrak. It is too valuable to so many people, to our environment, and to our safe future, to treat cavalierly. http://www.arizonarepublic.com/business/articles/0620talton20.html
Thank you for your time, Ashley
|
| I love the trains. I have seen Amtrak
go down hill for sometime now and am very sadden by it. Wrong decisions
made, money spent on BIG salary's, incompetence of management.
I did not know of the 84 vice president's until Mr. Gunn mentioned this.
We have one Vice President of the United States! Amtrak is 49% management
that is about one manager per employee! Mr. Gunn mentioned they have
mortgaged everything but his desk! Cuts and concessions have been
made to the covered employees. These are the hard working people
on the forefront trying for years with what tools they have to make this
Nations railroad work. I am praying and hoping for a new AMTRAK.
Cutting our Nations railroad is not the answer. God Bless America
and help her with being in this position. Amtrak certainly came through
on that horrible day of September 11th.
|
| To
Home Page |
|
Well, Amtrak itself is still offering reservations for July, August, and so on. NARP still believes that shutdown is unlikely. Yes, time is running out, but (as of June 23 '02) the hope is not given up. Mineta, despite his shameless remarks, said the administration is NOT INTERSTED IN ALLOWING AMTRAK TO SHUT DOWN. Today, three Senators had a meeting at NY Penn Station. Tomorrow, the Board of Directors meets with Mineta. So, people are trying hard to protect the train services. You know, if shutdown occurs, it would mean a chaos for such metro areas as New York, Washington DC, Chicago, and others, where commuter railroads carrying thousands of people use stations owned by Amtrak. In the NEC, Amtrak also dispatches rail traffic. Do you really believe the Administration and Congress are that stupid to allow this to happen? Gunn himself hopes that common sense will prevail. Let's hope so as well. Added July 22,2002 |
|
Dear Bob Stone: I woke up this morning turning on the news, and what came across the screen was 'Amtrak in desperate need!' It saddens me to no end that our rail system has come to this. I automatically became concerned and nearly in tears, so I went on the internet to look for ways how I could help or make a difference. I came across your website, which I must add is fantastic. I want to be a part of the process in getting Amtrak up & running efficiently if not much better. What are we doing wrong? Look at Europe for crying out loud! Why are we so backwards in so many ways in this country about the important things. Our attention is placed in areas that will only benefit us financially or for some other gain. Our rail system is part of our short history, which is a beautiful thing to continue. We as a country need to appreciate how the rail system contributes to our culture and the beauty of our country. I believe we, the people, can make a large impact on the problem at hand by contributing to an Amtrak Fund. Imagine what $5.00 per person would add up to!! I have always commented on that this country should have an amazing rail system, which would be incredible for tourism in every aspect. Please let me know, outside of the fact of contacting the politician
which I will do, how I can help.
I am so concerned with the Amtrak situation that I could just cry! I was wondering if we could get enough train lovers to all meet in front of the White House and march !! We could have banners, speakers, etc. I am very serious about this. I would be very happy to make this happen and start advocating, with your assistance of course : )! If not this idea, do you have any idea where 'THE PEOPLE' can show their concern?? I have already emailed everyone on the political list, but I really believe a walk, or march, or a gathering of some sort where it would stand out would make a more obvious impact. My father suggested getting all the train lovers and having them all go on a certain train route showing their concern etc at every train station!!!! or having ALL the Harley bikers do a drive in support of AMTRAK ...These are all thoughts and suggestions!! Please, as you know, we can't just sit back and see our beautiful rail system go under. We have to as a country care about tradition and our (short) history, which all is important to our culture!! What should we do????? Please let us put our heads together and make something happen!! A very concerned train lover!! Marlis |
|
Thanks for the great site. I used it to contact all of the relevant government officials today. I had to cancel my trip on a sleeper to Albuquerque in August because I was afraid we would lose our money omthe next week. I have been traveling for years by train and this whole thing makes me sick. Thanks for all the great info on the site. Here's hoping this is all a bad dream. S Added July 22,2002 |
|
Dear Sirs: The shutdown of Amtrak will be the worst mistake ever made in the history of the United States. Such a decision, although seemingly trivial to the politicians, will come back to haunt us, soon, with devastating, apocalyptic consequences. The worldwide oil supply is going to reach its peak of production between now, and the Year 2010. After the peak is reached, the oil supply will start on an irrevocable fall. As our fly-drive transportation system will never free itself from a dominant dependency on oil for energy, the irrevocable fall of the worldwide oil supply will have devastating consequences for the system; and our country that relies on it. Only rail transportation has a two hundred year history of being able to run without any kind of dominant dependency on oil for energy; and is also the most energy efficient means of transportation we will EVER have. Rail transportation can run on every source of energy known to mankind! J. A. H. added July 22, 2002
|
To
Home Page 
Train
Web
Whats in the press about Amtrak?
