Tadman wrote: ↑Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:19 pm I think this opens up an entirely new concept for a national rail agency. Instead of having to touch so many states with an LD (however valid that argument is, let's pretend it is), you could have Amtrak as a funding agency only and touch quite a few states that are not very useful for LD trains. For example, they could give $1m/year to Utah commuter trains or a Phoenix-Tucson operation and "touch" those states in a fare more effective way than today's long distance services do. The same could work for a Cheyenne-Boulder-Denver-Springs opearation.While I agree with Federal subsidy for local operations that also benefit national mobility, isn’t the FRA already doing that exact job? I understand that for some here, the concept of a publicly-operated Amtrak sticks in your craw, but given funding and support it has proven effective without privateers coming to take over its business.
Obviously this would take some finagling with local host railroads, but in the long run, it's far more useful to travelers.
Imagine this - given that airlines don't really like those shorthaul trips, having a corridor that not only carries locals but perhaps interfaces and through-tickets with air travelers would be amazing. I fly into Tucson a lot, but then have to take a mini-flight or bus for the final leg from Phoenix a lot. I hate it. It's awful. I'd much rather have a Brightline or Trax operation, and I bet AMR would, too.
The only leftover piece is expansion of service and interline ticketing; for example, I should be able to buy a ticket Chicago-Santa Fe and transfer at Albuquerque (or somewhere further north) to Rail Runner. Lamy is quaint but unnecessary. And yes, Tucson-Phoenix is crying for commuter rail.