New FedEx Alternative
First, our 2 cents worth:
Picture this: You fly to, say Chicago. In our post-September 11th world,
you now spend three hours at the airport getting your tickets, and going
thru security. Then you spend several hours on the plane sitting in a cramped
seat, wondering why the bag of peanuts they gave you only had eight peanuts,
and why they gave you only a half a can of Coke to drink. Every time your
plane hits a pocket of air turbulence, your heart speeds up a little and
you glance around at the other passengers to see if anyone noticed your
nervousness. Then you finally get to Chicago, where you spend another
hour getting off the plane and retrieving your luggage. Next you head on
over to the car rental counter, where you stand in line for another half
hour before you rent a strange car that takes you a day or two to get used
to driving. When you are ready to leave Chicago, you repeat the process except
you are going thru the hassle of returning the car. You still spend up to
three hours at the airport just getting to the waiting area before your return
flight.
Now, picture this instead: You drive to the local high-speed rail station.
After getting your ticket, you drive your car onto a special "ferry" section
of the train, where you park it. Your luggage is in the trunk of your car.
You don't have to check it in and special equipment scanned it as you were
driving it onto the train. You get out of your car and walk to the passenger
section, where there is plenty of leg room, a dining car where you can buy
a meal of your choice, and can walk freely around the train when you want.
When you get to Chicago, you return to your car and drive it off the train
and proceed to your hotel or where ever it is you wanted to go. The trip
took about the same time as flying, but you didn't have to worry about renting
a strange car or the train crashing into a building, and you probably paid
the same or less than you would have for a plane ticket.
Guess what? In parts of Europe you can take your car with you on the train.
They aren't as dependent upon planes as we are. There is no reason as to
why we can't build the same thing here! FedEx could ship their packages on
the high-speed train in a cargo section, and do it at less expense. They
already ship some packages by rail now, as does the Post Office and UPS.
Think about this alternative to a night-time hub with 126 flights a night
.
Here's an addition to the above proposal: The
high-speed rail station terminates at the (Gasp!) Airport! Yes, that's right,
we can build it at the airport. Why? Simple: The high-speed rail can not
go everywhere, but it can go in the major traffic corridors, with airplanes
to fill in the gaps. As an example, how about a rail link between Greensboro
and Chicago or Washington, DC? It will reduce the number of flights, while
preserving the usage of the airport, which will do double-duty. Some people
can even fly part way, and take the rail for the other part of the trip.
Everybody wins!
Mothers Support High-Speed Rail Bill
Chicago--Congressman Don Young of Alaska has introduced bold legislation
(H.R. 2950 - Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st
Century) to pump 71 billion dollars into our economy to create a world-class
high-speed rail system. Mothers Against Airport Pollution (MAAP) enthusiastically
supports his visionary action and encourages the Senate to pass this important
bill. High-speed rail and business video teleconferencing dovetail nicely
with MAAP's goal of creating a healthier, cleaner, quieter and safer environment
for our children and future generations.
Jet aircraft emit huge amounts of toxins for many miles around airports that
endanger our health and that of our children. The few thousand commercial
jet planes are responsible for using a highly disproportionate amount of
the world's oil supply. Over 90 percent of those toxic jet engine emissions
are emitted at or near airports, creating severe local impacts. Studies show
that airport and jet aircraft emissions contaminate an area greater than
20 miles from a small airport, yet 70% of the U.S. populace lives within
twenty miles of a major airport.
It is now glaringly apparent that our reliance on air travel severely impacted
our economy following the September 11 terrorist attacks.
It is now time to support our economy while also protecting our health, safety
and environment. Building a nationwide, world-class high-speed rail system,
encouraging business video teleconferencing, seeking other viable alternatives,
and reducing our reliance on the air transport industry can accomplish this.
Citing Terrorist Attacks, Mayors Urge Significant New National Investment
In Rail System
To: National Desk
Contact: Andy Solomon of the U.S. Conference of Mayors,
202-861-6766
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The recent terrorist attacks highlighted
the nation's economic vulnerability resulting from a reliance on air travel
and an under-developed national rail system, said Gary, Indiana Mayor Scott
King today in testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure
Committee.
"Last month's attacks underscore the economic vulnerability of our nation's
transportation system, particularly when we rely too heavily on a single
mode of transportation," said Mayor King, who appeared on behalf of the U.S.
Conference of Mayors, the official nonpartisan organization of the 1,200
American cities with populations of 30,000 or more. "The horrendous attacks
only increase the urgency of addressing our critical infrastructure needs
by aggressively investing in alternative modes of transportation, including
high-speed rail."
King expressed the strong support of the nation's Mayors for significant
additional funding to link U.S. metropolitan areas via high-speed rail networks.
He said such an investment would reap environmental, energy, and economic
benefits for the nation.
King testified that expanded rail investments could result in significant
energy savings. Two-thirds of oil consumption in the United States occurs
in the transportation sector, which is almost totally dependent on petroleum.
In contrast, high-speed rail can use electricity as a power source.
King noted that about half of all domestic flights involve trips of 400 miles
or less, with 25 percent of flights covering distances of 200 miles or less.
He said that European nations have built a broad and successful high-speed
rail network to meet the needs of passengers on these shorter trips.
On a related matter, Mayor King reiterated the Mayors' call for the full
federalization of airport security screening for passengers and baggage at
all U.S. airports. Yesterday, a U.S. Conference of Mayors task force, headed
by Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, released a set of principles to promoted
improved airport security and economic viability. The task force's
recommendations can be accessed online at
www.usmayors.org.
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/U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
10/02 15:15