ON A WARM SUMMER'S EVENIN', ON A TRAIN BOUND FOR NOWHERE...

Will North Carolina be the latest to turn away federal funds for high-speed rail?

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, President Obama set aside $8 billion to jump-start high-speed rail in regions across the country.  The funds were divvied up between 13 planned high-speed corridors in 30 states and D.C.

North Carolina is receiving $545 million for further development of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, a nearly 500-mile route that will allow trains to travel between Charlotte, Durham, Raleigh and Washington, D.C. at top speeds of up to 90-110 miles per hour and an average speed of 86 mph.  North Carolina’s mileage share is approximately 200 miles (Charlotte, via Raleigh/Durham to the Virginia state line).  That is roughly $2,725,000 PER MILE.  (Remember this number)

The stretch of EXISTING AMTRAK railway that is to be ‘upgraded’ runs between Charlotte and Raleigh.  The current passenger service is woefully underused.  The trip from Charlotte to Raleigh takes 3:48.  The return trip takes 3:54.  The distance is approximately 140 miles.  This works out to approximately $381,500,000 for the rail between Charlotte and the Triangle.  (Remember this number, too)

Now, let’s do a little math drill.  Three trains a day leave the Triangle area (Raleigh – Durham – Cary) for the trip TO Charlotte. 

This happens 365 days a year.

NCDOT says in 2007 (latest numbers available) 181,379 passengers boarded these trains.

181,379 / 3 / 365 = 166 passengers a day per train.  We are going to spend $381,500,000 to improve the train service for 166 passengers a day.  What’s wrong with that, you ask?

Are you sitting down?

Do you have a drink in your hand?  Or perhaps a handgun?

Scroll down…..

Keep going…..

A little more….

THE UPGRADE WILL REDUCE THE TRIP BY 13 MINUTES, ONE WAY. 

BTW - the high speed train will serve fewer people because it won't be stopping in Podunkville and BumF*** Nowhere

p.s. North Carolina's (REPUBLICAN) legislature may be about to join the "no thank you" chorus.  A one-page bill, titled "No High-Speed Rail Money from Federal Gov't" was introduced by State Representatives Ric Killian and Phillip Frye last week.  It would send North Carolina's $545 million share of high-speed rail funds back to the feds.  Our Democrat governor will most likely veto the bill.