Leaders needed to enhance Maines (Oklahoma) train service m.seacoastonline/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140727/OPINION/407270313/-1/WAP01&template=wapart It would be nice to have the Maines problem in Oklahoma. Maine is arguing about where to locate a new layover facility for its rapidly growing passenger rail service, the Downeaster. Such problems would prove Oklahoma is moving forward. Oklahoma seems stuck in the 20th Century, wringing hands over a federal highway trust fund nearing insolvency. This is entirely due to state of Oklahoma highway industry cronyism. Oklahoma highway contracting corporations have become spoiled, with over $1 billion made available annually for the states crumbling roads and bridges (is anyone else tired of hearing this?) A litmus test is in order. Maine lost passenger rail service in 1965, Oklahoma in 1979. Like Oklahoma, Maine was a state without passenger rail service throughout most of the 1990s. Oklahoma and Maine followed seemingly similar paths to restore service. Oklahomas 206-mile Heartland Flyer (Fort Worth-OKC) route began in 1999, Maines 145-mile (Boston - Brunswick) Downeaster route in 2001. However, that is where the two states separate. Differences should embarrass the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and state legislators. Maine now boasts five daily frequencies (the Downeaster), Oklahoma (the Heartland Flyer) has just one. The Downeaster accounts for on average 1,530 tickets sold daily with a total FY-2013 ridership reaching of 559,977. The Heartland Flyer accounts for about 230 tickets per day with a fiscal year 2011 ridership of 84,039. An additional two Downeaster frequencies and route length expansion are planned. The states second largest metropolitan area in Lewiston-Auburn could soon see passenger train service. ODOT has spent millions on six expansion studies since 2001. The Oklahoma result is always the same, the Heartland Flyer remains stuck at just one frequency with an Oklahoma City terminal. However, the most notable difference is telling. ODOT as a state agency manages the Heartland Flyer. The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) manages the Downeaster. Because ODOT is dismantling its Rail Programs Division to focus upon highways, it seems logical that the passenger rail baton be passed in Oklahoma and Texas to a new passenger rail managerial authority. However, rather than lead, Oklahoma legislators follow. ODOT officials determine whether proposed legislation will be palatable to ODOT. The result has been stonewalling with regard to separating the Rail Programs Division from ODOT. As a direct quote, ODOT does not want to be in the railroad business. However, they do not want another state agency to be in it either. ODOTs ulterior motive is of course to reduce the number of Heartland Flyer frequencies to zero. Evan Stair President Passenger Rail Oklahoma PassengerRailOK.org
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 14:14:36 +0000
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