WAMC New York News
High fuel costs push Indiana residents to ride the rails
(2008-07-12)
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IN
(wbaa) -
More Indiana commuters are turning to trains with gas hovering around $4 a gallon. Since September, Amtrak has seen a 25 percent spike in riders statewide. Passengers are taking a break from highway traffic and plane delays and cancellations.
Indiana U.S. Senator Evan Bayh has asked the federal government for a 36 percent increase in rail funding this year to maintain and expand operations.
Crawfordsville High School English teacher and train expert Helen Hudson says an increase in services is a good idea.
Hudson says trains will never take the place of cars or semi-trucks, but trains have been neglected for too long. She says Indiana can look to neighboring Illinois as a role model for a partnership between Amtrak and the state. © Copyright 2012, wbaa
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