[aquablue]

Originally Posted by Wizened Variations

I think that Amtrak, due to 40 years of uncertainty, by government standards, is lean and very well run. All the years of being beaten up by Congress- not knowing year to year if there will even be an Amtrak- has made their management very realistic.

How to improve Amtrak? Why, what they have been saying for years- provide at least five years of guaranteed increasing funding, and, grow incrementally.

I believe that rather than put 'umpteen' billions into an ego exercise of high speed rail along the NE Corridor, increase the average speed 1 mph per year along the line. In addition, start improving the speed of connecting lines. Start with Richmond and Norfolk, and, get them to 90 mph, then continue to increase the average speed 1 mph/year. Do the same thing between Chicago and New York.

Work a deal with UP to buy moth balled rail line west of Phoenix. Get the average top speed to 90 between Tuscon and LA.

Of course, this will not happen, because every conservative politician since I was a kid uses cutting Amtrak as a symbol of fiscal frugality (LOL).

Increase the average speed 1 mph per year rather than put in world standard HSR in the NEC? Sounds like a ridiculous suggestion Sir! That is hardly progress, that is third world incompetence and we should be aiming higher than that, don't you think? Also, building a proper HSR in the densest area of the country (a region denser than France & Spain) is hardly merely an ego boosting exercise. I think you have it all wrong and don't understand the subject. The fact that you ended your post with such a negative outlook is disturbing. Luckily I am not swayed by your pessimism as I don't believe you have fully researched and understood the benefits of HSR.