Yes! Finally someone seems to get it in Washington. I honestly didn’t have much hope that Obama would make it happen, but it looks like he’s moving strongly toward doing something concrete with high-speed rail.

This is great news for anyone who’s been overseas and had the luxury of talking on a mobile phone, surfing the internet, and reading a book while traveling at high speeds without delays. High-speed rail is so much better than flying.

I especially loved that he noted train stations are in center cities so you don’t have to travel so far out of your way to airports, and that on trains you don’t have to go through laughable “security” like taking off your shoes.

ABOUT TIME. Now if we can just get the SUNSET LIMITED BACK FULL TIME OR MAYBE EVEN MORE. OURS IS THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT HAS SUCH LOUSY RAIL SERVICE. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We Need to move into the 21 century, not the 18 century, look up the proposal from MASSTRAMAMERICA.com, thats ready to go, come on board

I’ve heard about President Obama’s desire to finally enact High Speed Intercity Rail Transit between major metropolitan areas.

I say, well and good.

However, it would be better if there were a single High Speed Transcontinental Rail line from Coast to Coast. If you want to interconnect smaller, shorter high speed rail lines to it, that would be fine.

For instance a High Speed Transcontinental Line could use Toledo as a station. Now, you’re only 75 miles from Metropolitan Detroit. That same High Speed Transcontinental Line could also stop just south of Chicago, where you’ve already got high speed access to Metropolitan Chicago, and even Metropolitan Milwaukee!

All I am saying is that some thought should be put into the effort. Then, you can get the best bang for the buck.

Dear Colleagues,
YES, a high speed rail line qouls be great to bring our transportation system into the 21st Century. Heck, we need to bring our rail system into the 20th Century.
I would love to be in contact with someone who will do organizing in the Pittsburgh area.. You have my e-mail,; my phone number is 412-683-0237. I am a member of the ASllegheny County Transit Council, the volunteer advisory body to PAT, our public transit system. (and one the Executive Committee)
I haved one question about the proposed high speed rail system, or anyh decent passenger rail systgem. Whan will be the right-of-way? Now were stuck behind coal haulers and other slow freight. The railroads have not been cooperative for generations.
Love and Peace,
Jon Robison

I really hope that Pres. Obama can get our nation some decent hi speed rail that would connect cities across America. We need better mass transit and hi speed rail NOW!!! Everybody cannot afford a car, plus with the bad economy, car payments are just not feasible anymore for a lot of people. Why cant we have decent mass transit like the European countries? It is ridiculous that many Americans spend a good part of their income on car payments, etc. Also most jobs that are available do not pay enough to afford car payments, gasoline, car expenses,etc in addition to paying for housing, food, utilities.etc. Hi speed rail would help a lot of low and moderate income people make ends meet, and get around without having to depend on a car. Also the oil reserves in the Middle East are not going to last long, so we need to look at alternate forms of transportation.

In NY, NJ, PA alone there are hundreds of towns waiting for the train to come back.

Lets also figure out how to get some funding to MTA before they throw a wrench into the transportation modernization machine in 5 weeks.

- A

This is a good start. I believe that this all needs to be tied into a coast to coast system with connecting routes. Many of those connecting routes are already planned yet others need to be: including: the Colorado Front Range corridor; the Arizona corridor from Phoenix to Tucson; LA to Las Vegas; and linking the entire Westcoast together. Hi speed rail, now in the 300 mph range is feasible in these corridors and cross country.

I think that Obama’s interest in high speed rail is right on target & it’s long over due. Finally we have a president who is supportive of mass transit. I represent a grass roots group working hard to reinstate Amtrak’s North Cost Hiawatha through souther Montana. This service was discontinued in 1979. If you are interested in this cause, we are always looking for new ideas & support. Please e-mail for further information. Thanks you. MIchael

I agree with Jon K, Evans, have a transcontinental high speed rail system funded by the fed and then have individual states contribute to connect to the main transcontinental line. Individual cities will then pitch in to connect to the various state lines. That way the US, state, and cities can all contribute to build this communal infrastructure.

But first we need to build the main artery.

Whether you agree with President Obama’s politics or not, finally we have a president that can see the need for reinvesting in our national rail system. No developed country in the world expects its public rail system to be self financed and supporting, right now the United States is years behind Europe in development of not only high speed but also light rail system development. Even China has over taken the United States in rail development. It is time for Congress and for state and local governments to get off their butts and look serious at more rail development. I am always amazed traveling the United States that so many major cities have not connected their airports with their city center with light rail or high speed rail. Case in point. Las Vegas with over 40 million visitors a year and still you have to take a cab, bus or shuttle to the downtown just 2 miles or less away. How dumb is that. Not to mention the waste of fuel and the increase in pollution.

If we were to take just 5% of what we fund the national highway system and airport system a year and direct it to development of modern high speed light rail and improved cross country rail service, this country could compete better.

I grew up in very rural northeastern Montana and still live here. The lose of rail service along the Hi-Line of Montana would have a huge economic negative impact on the region. It is time to improve the 40 year old trains running the Hi-Line and make passenger service a TOP PRIORITY on the rail system.

The debate over high-speed rail,is in itself surprising. Why is it that with all of the new elements of technology and the advancement of no fossil fuel technology,we are talking about trains that emit
co2? Why is that America has decided to mimic other countries? We have the capacity and the leadership to have an above ground suspended new high -speed system, The oldest of which is still in operation as a model in Germany. We need to revolutionize our thinking,pioneer’s spirit is what made America great in the first place. The system of which I am speaking would pay for itself,we would not need government subsidies although the government could pitch in to help. Amtrak has never been profitable,it has a dismal record and has had an extreme amount of derailments ,collisions and huge losses of life. We can put America back to work and add approximately 4.5million permanent jobs and 1.5 million construction jobs. Who could oppose this on any side of the political isle? We could use existing rail ,right of ways,go above freeways,have an almost minimal footprint,all while building an extensive electrical grid,simultaneously while building our high-speed
tram system,that would revolutionize the way that people and freight are moved throughout this country. This system would also recycle and allow planners throughout the country to include above ground transportation technology into there density community planning arrays. The time is now,our president is moving in the right direction,but he and congress need to take this bold step.