As somone who has followed transportation issues closely, I strongly support the rational application of public transportation, including intercity passenger trains and commuter trains. In most (though not all cases) passenger trains can co-exist with freight trains on the same route. For my analysis of the cause of Amtrak's problems and what it needs in the future, see my position paper, The case for Amtrak.
I have traveled by public transportation in Europe and many of the larger U.S. cities, including on the light rail systems in Baltimore, Denver, and San Diego.
For additional information programs underway in North Carolina, see the sites of
This site includes a variety of reports on present and potential service in North Carolina, as well as information on North Carolina's long-range plans for high speed rail. Due to continued reorganization of the Rail Division site, I have dropped direct links to specific documents. Instead, start with the link to the home page above and follow the available navigation and search tools.
Among this agency's plans are diesel-powered commuter rail operations in the Research Triangle Metropolitan area.
The Charlotte area is building a light rail system. However, right now, a heritage trolley is already operating on part of the right of way that will be used later by the light rail system. For information on the heritage trolley, see below;
This site contains information on the current Charlotte trolley operation, including the operating schedule.
For general information on U.S. intercity passenger trains, see the Amtrak site or the site of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), an advocacy group. NARP has a Carolinas affiliate, the Carolinas Association for Passenger Trains (CAPT). The National Corridors Initiative, Inc., is a primary advocacy group for high-speed passenger rail.
[Rev. 2008/06/19]
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