Amtrak is happy that their loyal customer is going to be in the WH.

[jillan]

Nov. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Refurbished high-speed trains and spruced-up stations may greet Amtrak commuters from Boston to Washington as Amtrak, the U.S. passenger railroad, gains support from frequent-rider Joe Biden in President-Elect Barack Obama's administration.

Amtrak, which uses federal subsidies to cover 41 percent of expenses, may see aid jump at least 48 percent a year if lawmakers and Obama honor spending targets set by Congress last month. The boost might help Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric Co., which makes diesel locomotives and electrical equipment.

Rider Loyalty

Vice President-Elect Biden, who commuted on Amtrak daily between Wilmington, Delaware and Washington during his Senate career, may be part of the most ``train-friendly administration in history,'' Dukakis said. He and Obama ``understand the economy itself cries out'' for rail investment, the former Massachusetts governor said.

Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972, a year after Amtrak was founded, and became a frequent advocate of federal passenger-rail aid. ``Saturday Night Live'' satirized his support for the railroad during presidential candidate John McCain's Nov. 1 appearance on the NBC television show.

``I take the Amtrak to work every day, then after work I take it home,'' said a Biden doll that McCain and Tina Fey, impersonating running mate Sarah Palin, pretended to sell on a shopping channel. (hehe)

Biden himself brought up passenger rail in a conversation during a campaign stop in Milwaukee, said Wisconsin Transportation Secretary Frank Busalacchi, a Democrat who backs more intercity train service.


Debi - this part is for you:

The senator's son, Hunter, 38, is vice chairman of Amtrak's board as part of a five-year term as a director running through 2011. Neither Biden agreed to be interviewed for this story.

(I didn't know that - did you know that?)

He Understands'

Biden's presence in the White House will help Amtrak gain ``a much better shot at someone treating it seriously,'' Gunn said. ``You've got a vice president now who actually depended on it. He understands what you can do with good rail service.''

The first test of Amtrak's spending plans will come in February, when Obama submits his transportation budget
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601085&sid=aBExmhfiR1Xk&refer=europe

[CrispyQ]

1. When I was just a wee one, my mother & I took the train from Denver to San Diego,

a couple of times a year. I love trains! There is a sort of romance to them, imo*. And my love for trains only grew when James West & his decked out train hit the airwaves!



* Why is it there is not the same romance to busses? ;)

[gateley]

2. I'm hoping that trains make a big comeback.

Amtrak needs help -- or a private company needs to get the ball rolling (a la the airlines). I was trying to look into taking Amtrak from NC to Seattle, and you couldn't just put in From: Raleigh, NC To: Seattle, WA -- it would come back 'no route exists'. Instead, you'd have to get a train from Raleigh to DC (or NY, or whatever), get another train from there to start heading west, get another train to keep going further west... It was pathetic and not a good impression of Amtrak.

When I was a little kid, my dad took the train from Seattle to Boston when his mother got ill -- this was before commercial air travel was the preferred way to travel. I remember he had his own little private room with something that made up into a bed, I remember porters in uniform, it was nice! My mom and I also went to Vancouver, BC on the train once and that was great fun.

James West! That was so cool!

[Eurobabe]

6. If you saw the rail network in Europe

it would make you sick. THIS is what America needs to break its dependence on taking cars to work, etc. Granted we have a smaller geography to cover, but there is just something so cool about taking the train. I love it!

When I get back from the US, I plan on taking the train up to see my MIL, it's a 6 hour ride, but I don't mind. It's the ICE (fast train, ICE means Intercity Express). The trains in Germany also offer a ticket for each Bundesland (like a State, Region) for 27euros you can travel anywhere in the region to and from your destination, after 9am until 6am the following morning. And you can take up to 5 people with you!! The trains are clean, comfortable and fun, and for the most part on time. (That applies to Germany, Italy forget it!)

America desperately needs this technology and vision.

[gateley]

7. Yes -- we've had years to study the train systems in Europe -- and Japan, but

never integrated it into our way of life. I'm guessing it has to do with the oil industry -- sell more fuel when more people drive and fly.

[Eurobabe]

8. Exactly, its the damn oil and auto lobbyists.

:mad:

[PatSeg]

9. It doesn't help

that we've had so many horrendous train accidents in this country. It is an industry that doesn't have a very positive image anymore.

I'm all for trains, but having spent many years commuting, I can't say I have a very romantic view of them. It is more pragmatic on my part.

I don't know if the American people can ever be sold on trains over planes and cars, but maybe if there is no other feasible choice.

[AspenRose]

3. Hunter is my husband's age.

Finnegan is his daughter, right? She says she wants to run for president someday. :-)

[gateley]

4. She's really cute -- and Joe seems nuts about her. nt

[Eurobabe]

5. I love her name, that is too adorable

Finnegan. :loveya: