posted October 19, 2006
Is it really necessary to get to Atlanta at bullet speed? There seems to be a heavy flow of travelers willing to move at no more than crowded freeway speeds.
Reading a newspaper over a cup of coffee in a comfortable reclining chair while the scenery slips by presents an attractive alternative. Instead of the pie-in-the-sky, multi-billion-dollar cost, and 10-year wait for Maglev service to Atlanta, regional leadership would do well to consider North Carolina's example of establishing passenger rail service.
I recently rode the "Carolinian" passenger train round-trip between Greensboro and Rocky Mount, N.C. The "Carolinian" is operated by Amtrak and is funded by the state of North Carolina. There is a daily daytime run each way across the state between Charlotte and Rocky Mount with intermediate stops. The ride was pleasant, timely, and well patronized - briefly with standing room only. Minor delays resulted only from large numbers of passengers boarding and leaving the train. In addition, immaculate rail stations enhanced the overall experience.
In a relatively short time, cooperating with Amtrak and the local railroads, similar passenger service could be initiated in phases between Chattanooga, Atlanta, Nashville and Knoxville. Such an implementation would address current needs and would even permit many older citizens whose taxes went toward the operation to actually utilize the service in their lifetime. Such a project would not have to derail future Maglev.
I challenge our regional leaders and planners to investigate North Carolina's accomplishment and develop a passenger rail plan for Tennessee.
David B. Kaplan
Chattanooga
dbkap@bellsouth.net
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