All aboard!

Even with a nickname like Crossroads of America, Indiana is not particularly well-known for its great public transportation system. In fact, outside of most large cities and college towns, public transport barely exists, and is mostly intended for seniors who cannot drive. The reasons for this are plentiful: our state is composed of small towns situated far from one another, making public transportation too expensive to implement, while car culture drives \nour nation.\nNevertheless, some Indiana lawmakers are trying to implement a basic public rail transport system in central Indiana. The proposed railway system would link Bloomington, Indianapolis and Muncie. While a trip to Muncie may not appeal to us now – or ever – a commuter rail link could be useful for a weekend trip to Indy or any of the other suburbs the railroad would serve. The Indiana General Assembly has asked for a study to be done on the feasibility of the railway and has set up a committee on mass transit. Committee co-chair Rep. Terri J. Austin, D-Anderson, says the railway idea came from the need to help people in central Indiana move around more efficiently, combat the rising cost of gas and improve the quality of life for residents. The study is due next year at the end of August. \nWhile no specific details of the plan have been released, the idea of implementing a commuter rail system in central Indiana is a positive step toward alleviating our dependence on car travel, especially on increasingly clogged I-69. The potential benefits are enormous: With increased commuter use of the railway system, roads would be less clogged and those with no cars would have another travel option, fostering economic growth. \nAccording to www.publictransportation.org, a Web site run by the American Public Transportation Association, “Through increased jobs, income, profit and tax revenue, (public transport projects) provide an economic stimulus far exceeding the original investment – as much as six dollars for every dollar invested.” More trains could mean better local public transit, and as gas prices and carbon emissions continue to rise, the need for a long-term plan for transportation will become even more crucial. \nThe transportation system will, however, require generous public funding to keep it afloat and will not be able to function without taxpayer support. The idea of a rail system may not please some, who point out that the national railway system, Amtrak, requires large federal subsidies to function. Those who demand self-sufficiency from rail ignore the fact that every other transportation system gets taxpayer funding and would not be able to function without it. The nation’s vast network of roads was built and maintained with taxpayer money, and the Aviation Trust Fund financially supports the aviation industry.\nThe plan is in its early stages, and no one can be sure what the study will report until next year, but the fact that Indiana is starting to plan out a public rail system represents a step in the right direction and deserves our support \nand attention.