by Tadman
Assuming for a minute that the "flyover" states required long distance service in order to secure their support votes in Congress for Amtrak, how many states have some sort of corridor potential (ignoring PRIIA rules) that could "replace" the LD train and continue to secure support from a non-coastal congressman?
Current corridors cover:
ME, NH, VT, NY, CT, RI, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, IL, MI, WI, MO, CA, OR, WA
Regional trains cover:
NC SC GA (Palmetto) TX OK (Flyer)
So left there is OH, WV, KY, IN, MN, ND, SD, WY, MT, ID, CO, UT, NV, AZ, NM, KS, TN, AL, MS, FL, LA, IA, NE
I think we can slide FL over into regional as the Stars don't seem to be going anywhere. FL also has Sunrail, which could be beefed up with some federal funding.
That leads to UT, NM, and TN, which have smaller commuter operations which could be beefed up with federal funding into mini-corridors.
LA, AL, MS are on track for a gulf regional service. Also NOLA-HOU is a great corridor.
The cardinal could be split into two daily day trains (cinci split) with no sleeper to cover IN, OH, WV, KY.
A second Hiawatha to MN could cover MN and WI.
The River Runner could be extended to Topeka to cover KS.
A Tucson-Phoenix train is dearly needed. Covers AZ
Perhaps LA-Las Vegas? - Covers NV
Colorado should have a front range train Springs-Denver-Boulder.
ID and Montana are open, but perhaps Spokane-CDA-Glacier?
AK, HI, SD, and WY already have no Amtrak (and AK has ARR which is great)
Thoughts? Do these services provide better service than the current trains?
Current corridors cover:
ME, NH, VT, NY, CT, RI, PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA, IL, MI, WI, MO, CA, OR, WA
Regional trains cover:
NC SC GA (Palmetto) TX OK (Flyer)
So left there is OH, WV, KY, IN, MN, ND, SD, WY, MT, ID, CO, UT, NV, AZ, NM, KS, TN, AL, MS, FL, LA, IA, NE
I think we can slide FL over into regional as the Stars don't seem to be going anywhere. FL also has Sunrail, which could be beefed up with some federal funding.
That leads to UT, NM, and TN, which have smaller commuter operations which could be beefed up with federal funding into mini-corridors.
LA, AL, MS are on track for a gulf regional service. Also NOLA-HOU is a great corridor.
The cardinal could be split into two daily day trains (cinci split) with no sleeper to cover IN, OH, WV, KY.
A second Hiawatha to MN could cover MN and WI.
The River Runner could be extended to Topeka to cover KS.
A Tucson-Phoenix train is dearly needed. Covers AZ
Perhaps LA-Las Vegas? - Covers NV
Colorado should have a front range train Springs-Denver-Boulder.
ID and Montana are open, but perhaps Spokane-CDA-Glacier?
AK, HI, SD, and WY already have no Amtrak (and AK has ARR which is great)
Thoughts? Do these services provide better service than the current trains?
The new Acela: It's not Aveliable.