Lynch at Large

Let me be careful here not to take on the paranoid "black helicopter" mentality of so many dimwitted rail fans. Yes, I would like to see more passenger trains and better transportation choices, but I am not interested in giving a blank check to a corporation that badly needs reform. The fact is that I believe the Bush administration is paralyzed with fear and will begin taking many desperate measures to make their "mark" before the danger of a Democratic takeover a year from now. This administration has a dislike of anything that is beneficial to "real people>" that is demonstrated in the recent round of proposed budget cuts, which have been quietly withdrawn. These are soulless noecons. More on than later, but on with the business of transportation.

Federal law requires that, before a passenger route can be discontinued, six months notice must be given. The interim President, or David Gunn's replacement, will have marching orders to put out "train off" orders ASAP. These need to be completed BEFORE the November 2006 elections. Congressional approval is not required to kill an entire route, and that is a real danger in the west. The Texas Eagle, which serves Arkansas, is a top candidate for discontinuance. Look for notices to go out on ALL of the 20 or so long distance trains.

David Gunn was fired because he would not go along with the Bush plan to gut Amtrak. Period.

There are some things you should know.

It will be argued that long distance passenger trains require more per passenger subsidy. The truth is that nobody knows, but it is very possible for a skilled accountant to make things come out any way the bosses say. It is very doubtful that getting rid of these trains will do much towards reducing the total avoidable costs. The problem out here is not too little revenue but too little equipment. These routes across the country do not have enough available inventory

West of Philadelphia, Amtrak is mostly a rural transportation service. Nobody rides from Little Rock to Dallas. People fly Southwest. Folks do, however, tide Amtrak to underserved communities like Texarkana or Springfield, Ill.

Finally the Sunset is a favorite anti-Amtrak target for discontinuance. It is very easy to dream up bad numbers on this train because it only operates three days a week between Log Angeles and Orlando. There is a steady overhead cost and an acute lack of passenger seat inventory. This route should be split up into two or more segments and served daily. In some areas, such as Houston and San Antonio, service should be even more frequent.

Amtrak long distance service needs to change. It currently runs on the traditional routes of the streamliners of the 50's and 60's, while travel patterns have changed.

The need for reform is not in question. Letting Transportation Secretary Mineta prescribe the cure for Amtrak is like going to Dr. Kevorkian for a tummy ache.

Railway Age has two great items. One is on the GAO report about Amtrak. The other story is an interview with David Gunn. Very revealing.