NRC is pressing for a revival of rail passenger service in this country. In recent RT&S articles, I have been critical of Am-trak practice as it impacts the interests of our contractors. We have received some reaction to these articles―both positive and negative. There has been some comment that I am anti-Amtrak. That's simply not true. Amtrak has an important role―it just needs to be carefully defined. Let me use a personal example. When I travel to D.C., I fly into Baltimore-Washington International Airport from Cleveland, Ohio, and hop on the Amtrak train to Union Station. I find this way to be the easiest, most-efficient route. I have many transportation mode options. However, I choose to take Amtrak rather than a taxicab or rental car. Here is a case where Amtrak competes well in a competitive marketplace. In my view, for at least the next five years, only Amtrak can stabilize the long-distance core system. David Gunn is addressing this issue and says it will take $1.8 billion a year.
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