I certainly can’t speak for Crapo or Bieter, nor would I want to, but I believe the process of evaluating potential Pioneer service is more an internal Amtrak one at this time. After the study is released and public comment received, I’m guessing Amtrak staff will review both the study and ALL comments received, evaluate all the information to see how it fits into the Amtrak system as a whole, both for now and the future, then make a recommendation to the Amtrak Board. The Amtrak Board is the one that will make the final decision. From what I’ve read about the current Amtrak Board and Executive staff it appears Amtrak may be headed in a more positive direction because a lot of these folks have actual railroad experience. In short, they’re not political hacks who don’t know the front of a locomotive from the back.

Amtrak is a government corporation much like the Postal Service and the Public Broadcasting System. The Boards of these agencies are “independent” and make the final decisions. With Congressional oversight of course. I’m not so naive as to believe these decisions are made without any political pressure. And Congress can always mandate Amtrak run a particular train.

Submit your comments. Have your friends, supporters, etc. submit their comments. I plan on submitting my comments directly to Amtrak. I like the direct approach when submitting comments. If you don’t submit your comments you’re not in the game.

As to voting on Pioneer service, the only time you’ll get to “vote” on Pioneer service is at the ballot box in November – this year and next year.

If you or your supporters are interested in learning more about Amtrak check out: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Title_Image_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1081442674477 .

And if you would like to submit your comments through the Senator’s office that’s great also. Forwarding constituents comments to Federal agencies is a valuable function performed every day by our Senators and Representatives. It would be a good way to make the Senator, his staff, and Amtrak aware of your thoughts and concerns.

Might want to use your favorite search engine and query “crapo pioneer”.

You should get a bunch of hits about Crapo pushing the return of the Pioneer for a number of years.

But he doesn’t appear to have been a co – sponsor of the PRIIA bill in the Senate. And that list of co – sponsors was a long one.

And I do see a conflict with him be a “conservative” but a “conservative” who is willing to increase the national debt when it comes to pet projects in Idaho like the Pioneer and the Boise Streetcar.

There are a lot of older people who cannot or should not be driving the highway system.

As much as I care about the opinions of the Guardian, I want the train system to return so I can go somewhere again.

I think we had a better transportation system in the middle of the last century. Tell me why I am wrong.

All we have heard all summer is that we need Idaho roads and bridges fixed, and that we need more money for schools. Instead, Crapo and his pal Dave Bieter are wanting to dump $65 million into a local streetcar and untold tens of millions into bringing back a failed train service to a train depot that is completely unsuited to handle any amount of passenger traffic.

Crapo is also trying to make the appearance of taking credit for this mysterious Amtrak ‘report’ that is coming out ‘shortly’ that in fact, he had absolutely nothing to do with. The report was ordered by the passage of the Passenger Rail Improvement Act of 2008 which was introduced into Congress by a Minnesota Democrat. They are now lumping the costs of the old Amtrak Pioneer route, which was killed in 1997 for lack of ridership, in with all Amtrak routes to make the appearance of it being more feasible now. In fact, if anything, it is LESS feasible now because of the lack of supporting infrastructure to adequately handle passengers. I rode the Pioneeer route back in the 60’s and 70’s and it was pretty sorry back then, and absolutely no passenger-related infrastructure upgrades have been done in over 40 years.

The fact of the matter is, the massively low population density on the Pioneer route is what killed it in the first place. Under the old rules, it was supposed to be self-suffient but could not make it. It will NEVER be self-sufficient, but they are changing the rules to make it appear like it will be.

What we really have going on here are some high-powered policitians that are looking to create legacies and that is all. THey have absolutely no concern for the taxpayers of Idaho who will be footing the bill for this in perpetuity.

If Crapo and Bieter want trains they should go to Hobbytown and buy them and not expect the rest of us to pick up the tab for their personal hobbies.

Are we getting prepped for re-elections already?

Last I heard, the city owned the airport land and rented it at a very low rate, thus subsidizing air service. Has that changed?

As far as competing: Well, only sort of. Airlines offer fast trips cramped up in a metal tube. Trains offer slow trips, with lots of space to move around, a dining car, a bar car, etc. It’s a matter of whether one prefers speed or comfort.