by Alex M
Regarding funding, or lack thereof, concerning the NEC, as long as the politics remain so dysfunctional between Congress and the White House, maybe it is time for the folks in this region to take the initiative. Two thoughts come to mind.
1. Perhaps a maintenance surcharge of one dollar be added to the price of every rail ticket, commuter or Amtrak, with this money devoted solely to track and ROW maintenance. In exchange, access fees for commuter operators would be frozen at current levels.
2. I remember when a railroad bridge crossed over a highway that the railroad would attach its name to advertise its presence. If there are places like that in the northeast, maybe Amtrak could lease this space for an outdoor advertiser's billboard. This and other real estate investment income would also be directed to track maintenance, as would be access fees from freight railroads who use the corridor.
1. Perhaps a maintenance surcharge of one dollar be added to the price of every rail ticket, commuter or Amtrak, with this money devoted solely to track and ROW maintenance. In exchange, access fees for commuter operators would be frozen at current levels.
2. I remember when a railroad bridge crossed over a highway that the railroad would attach its name to advertise its presence. If there are places like that in the northeast, maybe Amtrak could lease this space for an outdoor advertiser's billboard. This and other real estate investment income would also be directed to track maintenance, as would be access fees from freight railroads who use the corridor.