Biden Amtrak article 11/15

[AmtrakFlyer]

On the lighter side of news.

Biden promised a 'railroad revolution' that could see faster trains and a return to Amtrak's nostalgic past — here's what Americans might see

A Biden presidency could open up billions in funding to finally get Amtrak the infrastructure and trains that it needs to be competitive.

www.yahoo.com

 

[Lonestar648]

Biden’s knowledge and experience with Amtrak and rail in general, could have him realizing that having a solid national rail system is a matter of national security should the airline industry get grounded for an extended period of time. It would be great if he was able to get Congressional support in the name of national security, thus forcing Amtrak management to make the nationwide network Priority One.

 

[tgstubbs1]

I agree. He certainly knows that Amtrak exists.

 

[me_little_me]

I agree. He certainly knows that Amtrak exists.

A lot of anti-rail people know that Amtrak exists as they want to eliminate it.

Biden certainly CARES that Amtrak exists.

 

[piedpiper]

I'll believe it after I see who he places in as Secretary of Transportation

 

[TRoberts]

It would be really great if we could see additional funding for more Long Distance routes. Wishful thinking I know but it seems like a possibility with a President who genuinely likes trains.

 

[flitcraft]

Better support for Amtrak is likely for any number of reasons--it provides an alternative to air travel in corridors, it serves some of the areas of the country that are increasingly ignored by airlines, it's a 'greener' mode of travel than the alternatives, and it already exists and so doesn't need to be invented.

 

[Qapla]

Now, if DeWalt or somebody like that could produce a cordless train engine that worked .... you know, it could have a couple thousand (or more) batteries plugged into it and they could just replace a few at each stop

 

[AmtrakFlyer]

Biden will support Amtrak; can he convince GOP? - Roll Call

The president-elect's ability to build up Amtrak will largely rest on which party controls the Senate after the Georgia runoff.

www.rollcall.com

'Amtrak Joe' Biden could put into practice a 'railroad revolution' once in office

The President-elect is a longstanding advocate of the national railroad network and could provide it with some much-needed funding once in office

inews.co.uk

 

[TRoberts]

I didn't realize there was such a serious reason for Joe Biden's Amtrak connection.

 

[Anderson]

So, just a quick thought, but even without Congress passing any funding, I believe that Biden still has most of the RRIF funding available (I'm not sure whether repaid funds could be re-loaned or not). Given current interest rates (at like 2%) and given Amtrak's situation as of last year/early this year, Biden could always kick about $20bn out the door that way (and I suspect that doing so might be something that an acting DOT Secretary might be able to do, but IANAL).

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

I know that outgoing presidents usually leave a letter for the incoming president, and typically it offers advice like not spreading yourself too thin. Pick one goal, they write, and put 100% effort into it. If Biden follows this, I don't think the one issue he'll champion would be passenger railroads and Amtrak. There are just too many other higher priority problems.

However, I realize, I doubt Trump would probably never bother leaving a letter. Though, if he did, it would not be one of advice, but rather a rant about stealing the election.

 

[BLNT]

Any letter left would be of the poison pen variety...

 

[Bob Dylan]

Never mind! Just concede and go away!!

 

[tonys96]

I'll believe it after I see who he places in as Secretary of Transportation

McConnell's wife!

 

[jis]

L.A. Metro CEO Phil Washington will run Biden's transition team for transportation

Phil Washington has overseen a period of ambitious rail expansion in L.A. County.

www.latimes.com

 

[Bob Dylan]

McConnell's wife!

Shell slide into a cushy Lobbying Firm on K Street, and onto several Board of Directors, since shes a 2 time Cabinet Secretary and part of the Republican Washington Establishment.

 

[Dakota 400]

Just concede

I will be very surprised if that ever happens. Even after the Electors meet in the 50 States during December. Although then, maybe, the FLOTUS will tell him that it's time to start to get your bags packed. And, what about Barron? What we going to do about where he goes to school?

 

[bms]

Never mind! Just concede and go away!!

One would think a billionaire might have some sense of class!

 

[joelkfla]

One would think a billionaire might have some sense of class!

Consider, if you will, how it was that many of the richest men throughout our country's history got that way. I wouldn't consider the robber barons classy.

 

[Night Ranger]

Consider, if you will, how it was that many of the richest men throughout our country's history got that way. I wouldn't consider the robber barons classy.

"Behind every great fortune lies a great crime." Attributed to Honore de Balzac and is certainly true in the case of the robber barons as well as many of today's wealthy class.

 

[jis]

President-Elect Joe Biden’s Dedication to Trains Could Transform Domestic Travel

"Amtrak Joe" has long supported investing in America's train system.

www.cntraveler.com

 

[jis]

Biden weighs taking an inaugural Amtrak ride from Delaware to D.C.

The president-elect may ditch the typical flourish of an Air Force plane.

www.axios.com

 

[20th Century Rider]

Biden is a definitely a plus for Amtrak... but it will take a while for us all to dig ourselves out of the economic slump we are in. I am hoping that a somewhat massive rebuilding for Amtrak will mirror the same as it did for the Interstate system after WWII; paradoxically inhibiting what we are trying to rebuild now. The dynamic has changed and rail is better for the country than more roads and more cars.

!f you take a look at the facts... a focus on Amtrak rebuilding makes sense. Rail travel is friendly to the environment; unclutter clogged bumper to bumper traffic... and freeing the nation from dependence foreign oil. We do have infrastructure and it's a matter of working in sync with the freight lines.

Biden, an Amtrak Evangelist, Could Be a Lifeline for a Rail Agency in Crisis

Amtrak has reduced service and is poised to cut thousands of jobs. Rail supporters argue that, win or lose, the Democratic presidential candidate could shift the debate over the agency’s future.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Lonestar648]

The Big Question for Biden and Amtrak is if those Dems in Congress will support his agenda. I think by expanding the network to include many more in Congress, Biden has a better chance to get Congress behind him. Unfortunately, the strong Rep districts and states probably will not change, but there is always hope.