The Post and Courier’s Kyle Stock writes about how AmTrak usage has grown by double-digit percentages in the past year as gas prices get out of control. There are two trains that come through AmTrak’s North Charleston station, the Palmetto and the Silver Meteor, and both are seeing more passengers this year.
From The Post and Courier:
Some of the outfit’s biggest increases have been posted along the Interstate 95 corridor, where the silver coaches fork from the interstate smog and swing through the Lowcountry haze to North Charleston.
The Silver Meteor, which stops here while zipping between New York and Miami, has welcomed 7.4 percent more passengers this year.
The Palmetto, which connects New York and Savannah, has carried 12.5 percent more riders.
The Post and Courier also has video of the North Charleston station in action.
Don’t forget, though, that AmTrak has many of its own problems. The company is still not profitable and depends on government aid to cover shortfalls each year. And the fact that it runs on freight companies’ tracks means there are often delays, especially for longer trips.
But it’s good to see an increase in passenger traffic for the train system. Maybe if more people start using it, then the government could invest in better infrastructure and trains and put stops in more places. It’s long-range mass transit that can really help lower our dependency on oil and help us as a nation become more energy efficient. So take the trains, people!
Send to a friend 
Printer-friendly versionRelated content
More coverage
- The Post and Courier: High cost of gas, jet fuel driving people to alternatives
1 comments on this post
Featured content
Whether you're just moving to town or looking for new digs, here are your best options for finding the perfect place to rent.
There are many publishers of classifieds in the area. Find out who's got what you want or where you can sell your stuff.
Get the rundown on what's playing where, where it's at, and what the theaters are like.
Popular stories
- Change is coming to Charleston's performing arts
- Reader: Bicyclists should follow rules too
- North Charleston makes author's 'Don't Go There!' list
- Deputy helps woman give birth on side of Hilton Head expressway
- Millions of lights flick on at Festival of Lights
- Town of James Island wins battle, war drags on
- Getting festive to promote local spending
- Half Moon's new store opening is a chance to boogie and support CCL
2:49 am
Catching the train in Charleston
Some interesting issues here, but the writer confuses things when he states that Amtrak “is still not profitable.” So, what, neither are the highways or our aviation assets, and we are constantly propping up the failing private sector airlines. All forms of transportation are “subsidized.” But so are our schools, police and fire depts, state and public parks, ports, etc. Rail is more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly than either aviation or highways. It is also a far safer mode than highway and would be even safer than aviation if it were not for accidents caused by the other modes (namely trucks and automobiles, although its most serious incident in several decades was caused by a tugboat). I am fortunate, I guess, in that I get to travel several thousand miles a year by rail in Germany and surrounding countries. The rail and mast transit systems over there are comprehensive and efficient. Had we begun to emulate them at the time of our first gas crisis in the early seventies then we would be doing a lot less hand wringing now. Fortunately, there are now bills in Congress that could signal a change. For more information check out www.narprail.org
— Posted by Highlander (not verified).Post your comment