Thursday, January 7, 2010

Letters to the Editor Part 1: High-speed rail a positive cash drain?

Here are the headings for two letters in yesterday’s London Free Press that together suggest there are strong arguments for and against high-speed rail:

High-speed Rail A Positive

Rail System A Cash Drain


And here are the opposing arguments:

“High-speed rail is so good in many respects. Environmentally, economically and just plain comfortable -- it makes so much sense. We can only hope that our pitch to the various levels of government has been effective.” (Ian G.)


["What does a bicycle and train have in common?": photo link]

(And...)

“Why do we need to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to provide half-full, high-speed rail? If it was profitable, private business would have jumped in years ago. Our politicians certainly have a knack of spending my money on stupid things.” (John D.)

Then, of course, there is my opinion about the matter. (You knew that was coming, right?)

I lean toward investment in high-speed rail along the Windsor - Quebec City corridor (at least) in order to get people and freight out of cars (usually with a lone occupant) and large trucks (usually the size of a small nation), but, I believe timing is everything.

And when is the best time for Ontarians to invest in high-speed rail, I ask?

Stay tuned...

... for Letters Part 2: High-speed rail a positive cash drain?

***

Houses are a crash drain too, but we like living in them.

What do bicycles and trains have in common? They both get people out of their car.

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