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Boardman Defends National Network on Fox Business News
Friday, May 07, 2010
In a televised interview with Fox Business News’s Brian Sullivan, a self-described “train aficionado” who nevertheless expresses skepticism about the future of high-speed rail and the need for passenger trains outside of certain densely-populated corridors, Amtrak President & CEO Joseph Boardman deflects what have become common doubts about his company.
Boardman points out that Germany and Spain also only run true high-speed trains on a small percentage of their track miles. When Sullivan brings up Amtrak’s operating losses and asked if the railroad “should shed some unprofitable lines,” Boardman again turns to Europe, comparing Amtrak to Spain’s Renfe, which is “not expected to [make a profit in] ... providing mobility to a larger extent to its population.” He finishes by again touting rail’s energy-efficiency bona fides [PDF] and reiterating his argument that Amtrak is best suited to run “true” high-speed service in the US.
Watch the full interview (6 1/2 minutes):
—Malcolm Kenton
Posted by Malcolm Kenton
Tags: amtrak, brian sullivan, ceo, conventional trains, corridors, europe, fox business news, germany, high-speed rail, joseph boardman, national network, passenger trains, spain,Acela Should Be the Mold for Modern American Trains
Monday, August 09, 2010
I am aboard an Acela Express from Newark to Washington and am amazed at the lack of enthusiasm for these trains from policymakers and even rail advocates, except for this pile of passengers that pay good bucks to use them. These are not all businesspeople traveling on their employers’ dime.
Acelas are maligned because they “only” do 150 mph for the twelve miles in Rhode Island and no faster than that, but it is a fine 125-135 mph product right down to the on-board service people and crews. Passengers seem delighted with it. It has clean restrooms, big windows and, with the wide vestibules, a joy for those with special needs.
I know no two are alike due to modifications and that Amtrak must hire special talent to maintain them, these problems cured with ongoing new equipment procurement with extension options, which in the end requires a dedicated source of funding.
Passenger train advocates should continue to pursue the running of Acela-type trains outside the Northeast Corridor on places where track conditions can accommodate them, pulled by diesels until the day we finally adopt electrification nationwide. I can only imagine the quality of service: modern long-distance trains with a sit-down diners and maybe even sleepers a la the Talgo equipment on Spain’s Renfe between Barcelona and Geneva. Canada’s VIA should be in on this as well.
—James Churchill, NARP Director
Editor’s Note: Amtrak says that the 130 new cars (sleepers, diners and crew dorms) being ordered for long-distance service will contain design elements borrowed from the Acela, including the large windows.
Posted by Malcolm Kenton
Tags: acela, amtrak, equipment, james churchill, long-distance trains, national network, northeast corridor, railcar design,©2010 National Association of Railroad Passengers | » NARP website
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