Amtrak Wants $7 Billion for DC Train Station
29th July 2012
Amtrak wants six tracks dedicated to high-speed rail that would shorten the time it takes to get from Washington, D.C. to New York City’s Penn Station by an hour. The proposed first phase of the project, which would take place between 2013 and 2017, would, according to the plan, cost $200 million to $300 million.
But as the Post notes, “Amtrak and its partners have said little about how to raise the $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion it estimates the upgrades would cost.” There has even been some talk of taxing various economic activity at Union Station to raise funds to fund the expansion project.
Amtrak is mostly used by people wanting to move between the Other Left Coast power-centers of Boston/New York/Philadelphia/Washington without subjecting themselves to the TSA. Can’t say that I blame them. Unfortunately, many of them are Functionaries of the Crust and have no problem having the rest of us pay for their convenience.