Amtrak comes to Boise to talk future of passenger rail in Idaho

Full story: idahonews.com/...
#news #idaho #amtrak
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[@RitaCampbell-c2p]

So needed, to have a great way to travel and to be connected to other states and connectors from points beyond. 🚞

[@tedbellWRV]

Sounds great. We loved having Amtrak as an alternative when we lived in Tucson, AZ. So much nicer than flying or driving. But Salt Lake? Would be better to get service to Portland, so you can then go north or south to Seattle or California.

[@greasher926]

SLC is a lot closer, so ridership would most likely be much higher on that line. Plus Idaho has a large Mormon population so there are probably much more Idahoans visiting Utah than the west coast.

[@tedbellWRV]

@@greasher926 The emphasis on SLC is probably political - to garner certain support. I think if they were to revive the Pioneer Line and run to BOTH SLC and PDX, then it would be viable. Even with Idaho's demographics, I can't imagine half as many passengers would be interested in going to SLC vs PDX and the West Coast. Plus, many visitors to Idaho come from the West Coast. Travelers these days are sick and tired of jammed airports and sardine can-packed airplanes and would relish and alternative.

[@kylevernon7529]

Consider extending it to Denver and then Houston down the BNSF line that goes Trinidad to Amarillo - Lubbock - Temple. You would tie in the California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle, and the Sunset Limited outside of Chicago (a crime ridden city that I have never felt safe in)

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

really hope this happens

[@dand9106]

Boise is not that big enough of a city to demand such a big money pit as a passenger train that is literally tailored to Boise residents. Will be running empty trains within a month if it happens.

[@anthony_hugo]

Glenns Ferry is not that big enough a town to demand such a big money pit as an interstate highway that is literally tailored to Glenn’s Ferry residents. Will be having empty lanes within a month if it’s built. See how that point of view doesn’t quite make sense when referring to the Interstate highway system? That’s because it’s part of a system, and not a standalone entity. The same way this line to Boise would be a part of the entire Amtrak network. Expanding transit options is the key to reducing the need to expand highways, and reduce car traffic. All of that would make your driving around easier, and would reduce you tax liability to maintain the road as there would be less use. It’s a win win.

[@dand9106]

@@anthony_hugo trains are a bigger money pit than a highway. So your point is wrong.

[@Pretender1147]

​@@dand9106how? We spend hundreds of billions on highways/interstates per year and yet it doesn't pay its way directly.

[@dand9106]

@@Pretender1147 less maintenance, recurring salaries

[@torquetrain8963]

​@@dand9106you have to be kidding me. Trains a bigger money pit? The auto industry is heavily subsidized by the feds. Airlines too. Car monthly payment, insurance, tags, taxes, meters, parking, maintenance, rising fuel prices. Road rage, jams and congestion. 53,000 people died in auto accidents last year alone in the US. What truly is the cost? The entire transportation budget heavily favors cars and highways, and it is impoverishing the masses. Trains use far less fuel to transport more people. Total car dependency is not the solution. This is a non partisan issue.