The events of September 11, and the subsequent

The events of September 11, and the subsequent economic plunge of the airline industry, have revived arguments for a better nationwide passenger rail system. The $15-billion bailout of airlines, which were already losing money prior to the attacks, is reportedly nearly 30 times the annual subsidy of Amtrak. Trains are in some ways less vulnerable to terrorist attacks, and rail ridership has risen as flying has plummeted. Train and New Urbanism proponent Andy Kunz says that the US needs to build a three-tiered train system, consisting of the following: 1) A top level national system serving the same purpose as airplanes. It would consist of all high-speed train lines connecting central cities in a web across the country. State-of-the-art Eurostar-type trains would achieve maximum speeds of 200 to 300 mph. Services would include a full range of seat configurations, lounge and dining cars, sleeper cars, and business cars with internet connections. 2) A second-level regional system would link the high speed trains to regional destinations, including smaller cities and towns within each region. Top-quality, medium-speed trains would be capable of traveling at 125 mph. They would offer a wide range of services, but not sleeper cars. 3) A third-level tier system would serve as a local collector for the regional trains. It would have stops at all neighborhood centers, major employment and retail locations, and sports/recreational facilities within each community. These trains would be standard quality, light rail, streetcar-type trains capable of speeds of up to 60 mph. For more information: www.newtrains.org.