Peter Gertler

For more than 20 years, Amtrak has been a partisan football and target in the debate by the federal government to support public transportation. But statistics on steadily increasing Amtrak ridership are free of party politics--the fact is investment in rail aids in solving our capacity issues. Moreover, these statistics give us a chance to evaluate the success of passenger rail and consider its future course.

The facts clearly support the growth of our passenger rail system to create a more robust, integrated and sustainable rail transportation system necessary to serve our growing, highly mobile society. For example, in the northeast corridor and several other corridors in the U.S., Amtrak is proving to be a competitive, attractive, convenient and safe alternative to air travel and highways. A record-number of riders have chosen Amtrak for travel and Amtrak is covering more of its costs through passenger fares.

Certainly, we still need to debate the best and most efficient role for the federal government to support public transportation--and yes there are sever

We expect water to come out of our taps, lights to turn on when we flip a switch, and roads to be paved and maintained. Because of these expectations, we don’t question the value of public investment in our utilities. Yet, we continue to question the value of public investment in transit.

All one has to do is look at the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy to see the utility of transit. The tri-state area was brought to a standstill when the storm took out the transit system. This alone is significant evidence of the value of transit to our lives and economy. Without it, life grinds to a halt.

If Sandy didn’t offer proof enough, a new study from DePaul University pulls together 40 reports and examines Chicago’s popular transportation mode over almost 20 years. Nearly two-thirds of workers in downtown Chicago use the system, and continued deterioration could produce an extra $500 million in costs related to increased travel time and congestion. On the other hand, repairs would produce $1.5 billion in annual benefits by drawing from a wider workforce.

California is proof that America needs to remain bullish on HSR

In today’s hyper-partisan political climate, it can be difficult to stay optimistic about high-speed rail and its chances to become a reality in our nation. But in many ways, we are living in the best of times for high-speed rail to take its rightful place in this country’s transportation future, as evidenced by state Senate support last week in California.

Across America there’s an unprecedented level of focus and interest in high-speed rail since 2009, when President Barack Obama first placed a new emphasis on building high-speed and intercity passenger rail to connect communities and economic centers across the country.

On the west coast, we should see the start of the first section of the high-speed rail project go to construction in 2013. We are seeing real progress being made on the Los Angeles-to-San Francisco segment. These are locations where there are significant populations, travel-mobility issues and transportation infrastructu

Two years after President Barack Obama announced awards of $8 billion to states across the country to develop high-speed intercity passenger rail service, the program has become the target of unceasing ideological rhetoric.

Increasingly, vocal critics of high-speed rail continue to ratchet up the volume of their criticism. I say: enough already! All sides need to take a break from the rhetoric and listen to the substance and facts about the development of high-speed rail in America.

Sound arguments in favor of high-speed rail could fill volumes, but proven benefits of high-speed rail are simple.

Cost savings compared to plane travel, particularly if you’re going a relatively short distance. Stable fares compared with airline pricing. Fewer security hassles. Consumer-friendly baggage policies. The proximity of most train stations to America’s downtowns. More travel choices and reduces our dependence on both planes and automobiles.