Congress should save rail travel
Collegian Opinion

   Though we might never have predicted it two years ago, our nation's transportation industry is in a serious state of crisis.

   Both the airline industry and Amtrak, the country's passenger railroad system, have recently asked for large bailout packages from the federal government. The airlines requested $4 billion last week while Amtrak has already requested $1.2 billion to help keep it afloat while it undergoes a complete reorganization.

   Unfortunately, Congress didn't think through its response to the requests very well.

   Lawmakers recently drafted a bill that would leave Amtrak about $300 million short and force it to shut down several long-distance routes, including Fort Worth's Texas Eagle.

   On the other end, it appears that Congress will approve another bailout for the airlines, on top of the $15 billion the industry received last year.

   If we think this through, though, we can find a much cheaper way to give the transportation industry a much-needed boost.

   Perhaps we should let the airline industry bail itself out. The companies would have to raise fares to pay for additional security costs, but thanks to fare wars, current prices are probably lower than they should be anyway.

   In turn, more expensive flights would help bail Amtrak out. Cost is one of the major problems Amtrak runs into when trying to increase ridership.

   Currently, an Amtrak ride from Fort Worth to Chicago costs almost as much as a flight, and it takes much longer.

   If the flights cost considerably more, suddenly Amtrak will become a much more attractive alternative for budget-conscious travelers.

   The survival of the nation's passenger rail system is vital to the improvement of our transportation outlook. Currently, we are seriously out of balance, heavily favoring the airline industry.

   European rail systems show us that rail travel can work. With a well-planned and organized system, we could not only ease this countryÕs reliance on air travel, but reduce road traffic and new construction as well.

   The transportation problem America now faces is not going to disappear. As the population grows, so will the need for more ways to efficiently travel across the country.

   We need a successful rail system to help better balance the travel industry. Consumers deserve a better variety of travel options.

   Sure, the airline industry will have to scale back a bit, but itÕs not going to die. Some travelers, especially those on business, will always need to get to their destinations faster and more comfortably.

   Fewer airplanes in the air can only do this country good. The rail system will flourish; airport security will be easier to maintain with less crowded conditions, and the increasingly congested airspace will be clearer.

   Let's just hope that congress reconsiders its position before voting on a bill that would make it difficult for Amtrak to survive.