There needs to be a focus on train trips of 300 miles or less. Those
are the distances in which rapid and ON TIME train travel would be more
convenient in many instances than flying. Focus should be in Northeast
Corridor, West Coast line, Chicago to cities like St. Louis, Milwaukee,
Nashville, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati, with spurs to freqently
travelled smaller cities, like NYC-Albany, Phil-Harrisburg,
Chicago-Madison and so forth.
Get those shorter runs going frequently and on time and people will use
them. Then begin to link the shorter runs together.
Also provide (for a fee) decent services on trains: good food,
internet access, newspapers and magazines etc with satalite TV on
longer runs.
I was once on a train in Holland and they came through the cars with an
urn of fresh coffee and wonderful fresh pastries. I was happy to pay
for the quality. We can do it so much better here.
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