What have we got to do to get environmental groups especially to see rail as a part of reducing VMT (vehicle miles traveled) and increasing TOD (transit oriented development) and creating jobs and mobility justice and community connectivity and equity and economic recovery? And 2/3 (at least) reduced emissions! This is not generalizing. This is not some fantasy snowflake dream. This is a focused, practical solution that dovetails with what all environmental groups, the WA State Governor, the Legislature, the Legislative Advocacy Committee, the LWV, Futurewise, Front and Centered, 350, Sunrise, etc., all advocate. And yet, none of them barely mention rail. We’re not costing anyone jobs. We’re creating them. We’re not needing to revise or repeal or amend or litigate any laws. We’re conforming to an established mandate and a complete blueprint for implementation. We have a potential wind at our back. There’s a confluence we can utilize:
- 50th Anniversary of Amtrak
- Pete Buttigieg a fan of passenger rail and new Chair of U.S. Dept. of Transportation
- Senator Cantwell new Chair of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation
- Amtrak Joe
- Commitment to big infrastructure investments
- European Year of Rail (could we take the challenge to do better, being that we are the only modern nation that has not developed an efficient rail system?
We need to illustrate our existing, improved railways in a new frame – as modern, efficient, easy, reliable, fast, frequent, equitable, green. And then we need to create that reality. It’s a perfect economic and environmental mobilization opportunity right here in front of us. It’s the GND (Green New Deal) in practical application. How can we do that together? We can’t wait until the next sessions of legislatures or Congress. We must move in this direction now, on the heels of what other rail advocates have been doing. We need to scale up the interest quickly.