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Downeaster extension inaugural train reaches Brunswick
More socialist welfare passenger service for the elitist few, paid for by those who will never use it and receive no benefit. A few private corporation owned motor coaches would do the same job, without the taxpayer subsidy, and turn a profit. The bus will respond to market demands. Amtrak on the other hand, never has responded to market demands because it doesn’t have to satisfy any market demands, thanks to taxpayer subsidies.
Jeffery, you do realize that busses are dependent on those evil socialist welfare roads, right ?
So–the “Private corporation owned” busses will travel on their own private right of way that doesn’t receive government funding? As we all know roads are not paid for by taxpayers.
Jeffery Guse…why are you so down on AMTRAK and Passenger railroads? Cars or Autos will not be here for ever because there will be no OIL…and the roads are in bad shape due to our former President…I traveled by car from San Francisco, Ca and i can tell you the inter state was in bad shape and it took me 6 day to get to Syracuse, N.Y. Rail roads will be here for ever…So dont worry about Taxes we pay a lot in New York State but will get a lot for them…so get with and be with the 21 Century and big BUS TRANSPORTATION…I will always support Amtrak and Rail.;
Who pays for roads? Who pays for air traffic control, air terminals and TSA? The TAX PAYERS do, Jeffery Guse; I rest my case. jerk!
Who pays for roads? Who pays for air traffic control, air terminals and TSA? The TAX PAYERS do, Jeffery Guse; I rest my case. jerk!
Mr. Guse is just a troll. He doesn’t even know how to spell his name correctly.
Does anyone know if a cross-platform transfer will be possible to trains of the Maine Eastern?
Well, I pay for airports, Inerstate highways and US Highways thar I’l probably never use too. Sorry to say this but I really think Jeffrey’s ultra-right wing diatribes are wearing thin with everybody else. I hate like hell to say this but these rantings border on sociopathic. This comment may end up not being posted here but I’ve just got to tell it exactly like it is.
don’t forget those evil socialist airports as well. While we’re at it, how about that evil socialist air traffic control system and that evil, socialist National Weather Service?
Less than two weeks ago I rode the Downeaster between Boston and Portland round trip. Not only was I overwhelmed by the numbers of people riding that train, the courtesy and friendliness of the passengers, on-board staff and ticket agents said a whole lot about the basic decency and kindness of New Englanders to this Southern-born boy. Trains are “in” there! I wish that spirit was catching all over the country. Those who believe we will wish some day we had a thriving rail passenger system due to absolute need for it are, I am convinced, thinking on the right track. It’s so unfortunate the congress can’t get that … until it’s too late.
Responding to Jeffery is the same as giving attention to child that is throwing a temper tantrum in a public place. If everyone can refuse to admit he is present in the forum, he will go away and annoy others.
“Buses respond to market demand”…has anyone else noticed that many intercity bus routes just magically mimic passenger rail routes and few go where passenger trains do not go. My take is that in MANY markets the passenger rail creates the market (market demand if you will) and along comes the bus operators siphoning off the traffic charging lower fares because the bus just pays a road use fee per annum and the taxpayer maintains the right of way (highway). Lets just privatize the entire Interstate system and all other limited access highways and level the playing field. If the bus paid a per mile fee that covered all highway cost I suspect the bus fare might rise.
Only in a forum such as this can a positive step forward be construed as a step backward. For the uninitiated, all forms of transportation, both public and private, receive taxpayer subsidies. Ever thought about the highways that those motor coaches travel on?
Gosh, what happens when Mr Guse discovers that L. L. Bean is in Freeport, Maine?
For my part, I await the provision of through service from Boston and on to Rockland. And I contrast the restoration of train service north of Portland, which was mostly gone by 1960, with the continued absence of train service north of Milwaukee to Green Bay, which was present right up to April 30, 1971.
As a Maine resident for many decades and an avid rail fan, I have never read or heard in any media about Angus King’s involvement in the Downeaster extension. But I suppose he now wants to take credit to help his election for Olympia Snowe’s Senate seat. King Angus was bad for Maine as governor, and continues to be bad for Maine.
So glad to see this extension come to fruition. I used to ride the Downeaster when I had business back there - used to travel between Boston and Haverhill, MA.
The more extensive the passenger rail route, the more passengers it can serve, and the more economically viable the whole route becomes!
Gordon Stearns - AMEN!!!
And God bless Jeffrey Guse for getting it right; at least this time.