A new system

There is no rail line in the world that only hauls people that breaks even, much less makes a profit. Moving freight makes money. Moving people loses money. The private American freight rail industry makes more money than all the other railroads in the world combined.

It is important to know how Amtrak works to understand what Joe Biden is suggesting in his latest infrastructure plan. With the exception of a few shortlines, owned by some government departments, 99% of the rail line in the U.S. is privately owned. Amtrak has a contract with various railroads where it pays a fee for the use of the track. Last year, Amtrak spent $1 billion on its entire system and Mr. Biden could spend up to $80 billion on rail, including the Amtrak system, in the near future.

The United States is unique

in the world in terms of transportation venues. The vast majority of both people and freight moves on highways in this country, which are paid for by various taxes. Europe has 30% more people living in an area less than half of the area of the U.S. Most of the distances that anyone travels for either business or pleasure is usually less than 100 miles. The European system of rail lines makes perfect sense for Europe.

I love the rail system in Europe. When I land in Frankfort and take the train from the airport to Cologne, it takes about an hour and a half to travel the 100 miles. I pay $80 for the ticket and the German government pays another $80. The actual cost of high-speed rail is more than four times the cost of conventional rail travel.

The TGV in France, the highspeed line between Paris and Lyon, has an inspection car go down the track every morning. A normal freight line in the U.S. might have an inspection car go down the line once a month. A derailment on a train traveling at 25 mph hauling freight would be an irritant. A derailment on a train hauling 800 people at 200 mph would be a disaster. We cannot copy a system that we cannot afford or need.

JIM CANNON

Bethel Park