Here's something I thought of the other day... might be an interesting discussion.
If you could ask Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta any single question that he HAD to answer, what would you ask him? And if you want to extrapolate a little bit, then what sort of evidence/discussion about that question would you provide?
There's so much that he's ignorant about, that it's really hard to think of one thing that I would want to ask him. I think I would want to ask him something about his comments about trains that nobody wants to ride, and provide evidence that people do ride those trains.
** In other news, the next version of the American Train Station Directory is coming along and will be opened up soon for your comments!
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
What ties does he have to the concrete or road building industry?
Posted by coachclass (Member # 2382) on :
I would ask him about his plan to have Amtrak trains run "doors closed and no stops" through all states that don't pony up money to help pay for this service. My question would be along the lines of "What if my state is a major contributor to Amtrak but the state I want to visit isn't? My tax dollars would being paying for the service but I can't use it!" -Coachseats www.geocities.com/coachseats Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by coachclass: I would ask him about his plan to have Amtrak trains run "doors closed and no stops" through all states that don't pony up money to help pay for this service. My question would be along the lines of "What if my state is a major contributor to Amtrak but the state I want to visit isn't? My tax dollars would being paying for the service but I can't use it!" -Coachseats www.geocities.com/coachseats
I would ask him which trains he is speaking of when he says "Amtrak is running empty trains to places no one wants to go."
Mineta is clearly not riding the same trains I am (OK.....so I doubt he's riding any trains anywhere)......the northbound Carolinian looked about 85-90% loaded yesterday.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Secretary--
The Budget document that comprises the President's budget initiative for FY 2006, simply sets forth that Amtrak, as it exists, should be allowed to go bankrupt if need be and that whar rail passenger service is to remain will be sponsored at State or Local level.
However, presumably in your capacity as an Administration spokesman, you state on a nationally circulated radio interview, that there is needed rail passenger service, but that the States should be prepared to participate in the funding of such.
The two positions appear inconsistent, could you please clarify, sir?
Posted by Capltd29 (Member # 3292) on :
Mr. Secretary,
Which mainline would you lke to be tied to?
JP
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
"How do you plan to coordinate 48 different state legislatures, each of which are dealing with their own economic and budget troubles, to fund a national rail network?"
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Is there any plans or talk of trying to operate AMTRAK as a intermediate regional line. The NorthEast Corridor is succesful because for the most part it runs regularly on from NY-Bost and NY-PHIL-Wash. Wouldn't it be more feasable for Goverments try to connect cities with commuter rails. The country needs to link up its major cities. Why not look to hook up Richmond VA to DC, or Charlotte with the Piedmont and Triad Areas. While traveling by train a commuter is not able to use Amtrak in many areas there is one train to work and one train back. Who has that type of schedule. Long range train travel is done by vacationers. The only way for long range train travel to return to "its glory days" is to look at the Trans-Canadian model and to look to operate these trains like a sort of the Sea Cruise Lines operate.
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
Dear Norm,
Just curious. How long has it been since you've actually traveled on a long distance train from start-point to end-point?
If your answer is "more than three years ago," I grant you full permission to use my taxpayer dollars to purchase a roundtrip ticket.
If your answer is "never," I look forward to seeing your resignation on my desk by the end of the day.
Cordially,
dilly
P.S. Due to budgetary cuts, please remove all taxpayer-funded office supplies that have accidentally fallen into your briefcase, and leave them at the security desk as you exit the building. Grazie!
Posted by mikesmith (Member # 447) on :
I'll change my question to the same one Dilly will ask...
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by mikesmith: I'll change my question to the same one Dilly will ask...
I want to ask Norm two questions. Mine and dilly's.
While riding the train this past Saturday I amused myself by drafting imaginary letters to the DOT secretary asking for his resignation.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Tanner, you've pretty much summed up Mineta's position, so you'd probably get a one word answer: "Yes.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Is Mineta making any more sales pitches soon? If we know where he's going to be, perhaps we could e-mail this list of questions to the local press ahead of him. That might be fun.
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Mr. Toy,
Uhm so are you saying that is a good question? Am I on the right track? ha ha, as far as where the future of train travel will (could) be in the future?
Posted by Pojon (Member # 3080) on :
Ask Norman Mineta if he has ever really ridden Amtrak for any length of time like from Miami to Vancouver, British Columbia?
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Mr. Toy - I think that is a GREAT idea!!!!!!!! Is there any way we can actually do it?
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Mr. Toy - I think that is a GREAT idea!!!!!!!! Is there any way we can actually do it?
I think it would simply be a matter of being alert to reports of upcoming public appearances. When one of us knows where he's gonna be, find out the name of the local paper, and send them the best questions before Mineta gets there.
Note to Tanner: You and Mineta share the view that short distance trains are the most practical, a position I heartily disagree with.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
I just sent a list of the best questions here to Friends of Amtrak, and maybe they might have some ideas about how to go about this.
Posted by amtraxmaniac (Member # 2251) on :
First, a sarcastic question:
"Secretary Mineta: just what member of the airline industry are you sleeping with?"
"Secretary Mineta: How can you justify the fact that hundreds of billions of dollars are spent annually to construct and maintain highways and airports, but Amtrak cannot even secure 1.5 billion to meet it's bare essentials?
One more thing: 'Did Santa not bring Lil' Normie the Lionel Train he's always wanted for Christmas'
![[Frown]](frown.gif)