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Editorial: Congress' neglect of Amtrak deplorable


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 21 May 2015 - 08:10 PM

Times Herald-Record, Middletown, NY, 5/19:
 

Editorial: Congress' neglect of Amtrak deplorable

 

Even as full rail service was restored Monday, questions continued to swirl around the Amtrak crash in Philadelphia May 12 that killed eight passengers and injured more than 200 others. Among them, a new one - why wasn’t the speed control system that has long been in place on southbound lines out of Philadelphia also in place on northbound lines?

 

   Immediately after the crash, Amtrak officials said they had not had yet installed the safety equipment, intimating that perhaps a shortage of resources had delayed the upgrade. Yet, when federal regulators on Saturday ordered Amtrak to expand use of the speed-control system, the Railroad Administration was able to announce on Sunday that the automatic system was now fully operational in both directions. That’s quick work.

 

SNIP

 

Obviously, safety is the primary concern. Congress, to its credit has already ordered that a next-generation of speed control systems be in place on Amtrak by next year. Amtrak is also reviewing other possible safety improvements. But rail service in the Northeast Corridor is also an economic engine. A Congress truly interested in boosting a slumbering economy would invest in systems that help people get to and from work, to and from major business centers, quickly and safely without adding to road congestion or polluting the air.

   

Really, neglect doesn’t even do justice in describing Congress’ longstanding treatment of Amtrak. The word sabotage comes to mind.

 

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