It was just thinking about the ongoing current air travel issues in the news and how it will probably get much worse since there are no real adults working on the problem. This stupidity is really showing, amongst other things, how far behind we are in decent transportation.

It really made me think about the lack of public transportation in this country. We could really alleviate some of these issues if we only had options to take the train more places.

I know…there IS Amtrak, but their service is limited to when the rail routes are open DESPITE the fact they are required BY LAW to have priority over freight trains. Rail companies just do what they want despite the law…kind of a theme nowadays.

I have taken Amtrak a few times and it was a fine way to travel. But, they do not offer a hop-on/hop-off option like trains in Europe. Everything has to be ticketed and reserved, and that is one of the big problems with Amtrak – it is too restrictive. Another is limited routes and runs – so limited, in fact they even use buses to get passengers places. That is not exactly a train now is it?

I do not know how the freight runs are scheduled, but what if the freight lines started adding a few passenger cars as a test run for hauling passengers? It really seems like a no-brainer; it is additional revenue, and perhaps they could let Amtrak handle the passenger aspect of the trip.

I am not saying it will magically fix everything, but it would really help save fuel and give more people more options to go more places. Air travel and travelers would not be held hostage quite as much by politics.

I really think it is something the rail companies should consider. We really need more public transportation options in this country.

See you next time.

Shawn