So much for the dream of high speed rail in the US

[n2doc]

WASHINGTON -- The Amtrak riders who live in the infamous Acela corridor lost out in the bipartisan budget deal reached between House and Senate appropriators this past week.

Not only does the deal not authorize a single cent more for high-speed rail construction and services, it actually rescinds money from one account, the Next-Generation High-Speed Rail program. It also rescinds $4,419,000 from the Northeast Corridor Improvement program, which aims to improve existing Amtrak lines in the region.

In all, the bill authorizes $1.39 billion for Amtrak capital and operating expenses. That's about $45 million more than where things stood after sequestration took effect. But it's $28 million less than pre-sequestration funding levels, leaving rail advocates shaking their heads and congressional backers questioning their fellow lawmakers' priorities.

"The other party has been going after Amtrak for 20 years now," said an agitated Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.), chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, as he strolled through the halls of the Senate on Tuesday. Asked if he was disappointed, he responded, "Of course I am."

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/16/high-speed-rail-budget_n_4611853.html

[warrant46]

1. It's Job Creation

Building bombs and airplane to blow the crap out of mud huts and guys riding camels in the muslin countries/

Don't forget the 8 brand new $40 Billion aircraft carriers

[liberal N proud]

2. Who is blocking high speed rail?

Airlines, oil companies and auto manufacturers.

They are the only ones that I can think that would NOT benifit.

[BlueStreak]

4. It is probably just knee-jerk anti-gimmint

After all, "the government" wouldn't lay a single meter of track. That would all be farmed out to private companies for construction. And "the government" would own or operate a single train.

Republicans are against everything. Doesn't matter what it is. They are against everything.

Until they get back in office and then they will spend like drunken sailors.

It is the Two Santas strategy. That's all it is.

https://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

[JaneyVee]

3. We'll just go back to the Libertarian alternative; stage coaches & wagons.