More from Scott Walker, a conservative who I think is seriously misinformed regarding the Chicago - MKE - MSN - STP passenger rail improvements :
"Walker appointee was rail promoter"
I'm getting more and more worried about ever seeing rail service to Madison, WI. All I can do is get involved, and write more to my Elected Representatives.
Oh, and AlanB: have at it. The antis as per usual, are out in force.
The Western Wisconsin Rail Coalition has a list of rebuttals to Mr. Walkers', and rail opponents', criticisms:
From the Western WI rail Coalition, some rebuttal points to use when discussing the train with the opponents:
HSR: Answering The Critics
To sum it up:
1. Wisconsin has been planning this for the better part of two decades. Numerous studies have been published and rail service is part of the State Rail Plan.
2. The federal government has been involved in transportation spending for almost a century now, including funding the Interstate System. While objecting to the funds for the improvement of rail service, does Mr. Walker also suggest that all federal funding for all programs -- including highways -- be refused ?
3. The $ 7.5 million operating cost is less than 2/10ths of one percent of the entire WI DOT budget.
4. HSR is a transportation investment, not a jobs program. Note that nobody is measuring highways by how many permanent jobs their maintenance creates.
5. For every one dollar invested, the return is estimated to be $ 1.80.
6. Highways do not cover their costs, and, lately, the gas tax has covered only 51 percent of highway maintenance costs. This route is estimated to cover 65 percent of its costs, possibly more.
7. This is an extension of an already popular Hiawatha service. it is estimated that the service will have over 300,000 riders in its first year of operation alone. Dane County ( of which Madison is the seat ) has a population of 491,357 ( 2009 est. ) ( source: US Census Bureau ) .
8. Just because one person wouldn't take the train doesn't mean that nobody will. Driving has costs that are not limited to gas money alone. "Wear and Tear," and insurance, and even costs of lost wages due to collision-related injuries and deaths, are all costs associated with driving. Currently ( 2009 and 2010 ), the IRS allows for driving costs to be calculated at $ 0.50 per mile. That would make driving between Madison and MKE one-way ( 79 miles ) cost $ 39.50, or $ 79 per round trip.
9. The use of transportation funds for non-transportation purposes is of concern to all transportation advocates. This is an investment in the future, in anticipation of future transportation needs between Chicago, MKE, MSN, and Saint Paul, MN.
10. HSR is innovative, and an investment in the future. If Scott Walker wishes to emulate Tommy Thompson, Mr. Walker ought to invest in passenger rail service improvements, particularly investments that have been planned for two decades.