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Deep pockets for Wall Street

Public transit is as much a part of the nation's infrastructure as highways, sanitation systems and other civil needs. Once in a while I hear, as background noise, references to upgrading our country’s infrastructure.  The economy’s chaotic credit system is getting all the attention and billions of dollars are being made available to prop it up. 

Public transit and infrastructure in general, missed the largesse of funds that apparently do exist.  Of course, I’m being naïve, but what is certain now is that our approach for asking Congress for funds should be a lot different from now on.

Until next time,

Dan

posted @ Thursday, December 18, 2008 3:34 PM

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Comments on this entry:

# re: Deep pockets for Wall Street

Left by Chris at 12/18/2008 6:37 PM
The transit industry should lead the way in terms of energy conservation and enviromental responsibility, because recent ridership increases are indicative of Americans understanding the importance of fuel independence and environmental preservation. Transit leaders must continue to make cost efficient decisions and communicate with an urgency to Congress concerning funding. Capitol projects that are innovative will create opportunites for riders to use mass transit as a primary mode of transportation.

# re: Deep pockets for Wall Street

Left by Howard Bingham at 12/18/2008 9:12 PM
If only half the money that Congress appropriates for highway construction and runways for airport runways & control towers was given to Amtrak and commuter rail organizations, the energy crisis would not be nearly as bad as it is now. Meanwhile European & third world nations easily spend the US equiv. of over 40 Billion dollars a year for high speed rail transit as a "SOCIAL NECESSITY" ..

Rail transit is "Green Power" that both the White House and Congress has neglected for over 40 years..!

Howard Bingham
Texas Association of Rail Passengers

# re: Deep pockets for Wall Street

Left by Norman Rolfe at 12/18/2008 10:34 PM
The only money spent on highways should be for maintenance and repair of existing streets and roads; nothing should be spent on new highways and emphatically not for new freeways or expansion of existing ones. The majority of the transportation money should be for urban transit and regional and intercity rail.

Of course, the way decision makers are now, most of the money will be spent on highways and transit will get a pittance

# re: Deep pockets for Wall Street

Left by Donald King at 12/19/2008 7:33 PM
One of the largest obstacles we have to overcome is the enormous lobby representing the auto industry and its suppliers. Although recent high fuel prices have pulled many over to mass transit, we have a century of pro-auto marketing to overcome.

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Contributors

Alex Roman
Alex Roman is Managing Editor of Metro Magazine.






Dan Reichard
Dan Reichard, a long-time member of the transit industry, was installed into APTA's Hall of Fame in 2006 and is an honorary member of APTA's Business Member Board of Governors.

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