Railroad passenger service to Ogden, the Junction City, is ending on May 10. It is ironic that rail passenger service should end on the anniversary of the joining of the rails at Promontory Summit, 128 years ago to the day.
When the Pioneer train is discontinued it will eliminate train travel in two states, Wyoming and Idaho, and for much of Oregon and Washington. Canceling the Desert Wind will end train service to Las Vegas and Los Angeles from Salt Lake City and Denver. This will leave only one daily train each way to San Francisco and Denver.No one in Utah seems to be concerned that rail service is ending. The mayor of Ogden did not even know that the trains are being canceled. The Standard Examiner says, oh well, that's life. Did the Deseret News protest the end of service? The major problem is the near elimination of federal subsidies, and no one in Utah or nearby states wants to address that issue.
Now we are planning on spending $4.5 billion on renovating I-15, building light rail and establishing commuter service between Ogden, Salt Lake and Provo, all heavily subsidized by the federal government.
One factor driving this expense is the 2002 Winter Games, and people from Europe and Japan are coming to Utah to view the Olympics. Many might utilize the railroad and commuter train, eliminating some of the congestion on our highways. While we can't offer high speed, we can offer scenery and comfort.
Let us think of the thousands of people who don't care to fly or are afraid. I personally spent 24 years in the Air Force, but I don't like to fly. The seats are small, there is no leg room, one can't get up and walk around, and the only advantage is speed. Cost, particularly for families, is another serious concern. A family can travel by train at less than half of the cost of airline tickets.
Charles G. Hibbard
Riverdale