(The following editorial appeared at GoErie.com on August 12, 2010.)
ERIE, Pa. — The federal government has the chance to rebuild the nation’s passenger rail service by upgrading Amtrak’s aging fleet of locomotives. We must seize that opportunity.
The idea is for Amtrak to secure loan guarantees under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing program to revitalize its fleet with higher-speed, diesel-electric locomotives that would reach speeds between 110 and 124 mph. Up to $35 billion is available under the program, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.
If it happens, GE Transportation, as the top locomotive manufacturer in the United States, would be poised perfectly to compete for the Amtrak contract.
The idea is good for Amtrak, good for GE Transportation, good for GE’s 4,000 Erie employees, good for its 700 Grove City employees, good for GE’s 250 suppliers in Pennsylvania alone and, most of all, this is a great idea for America’s traveling public.
In recent days, the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership has led support of the plan, and they deserve credit for doing so. First Erie City Council stepped forward in support, followed by Erie County Executive Barry Grossman, County Council and Mayor Joe Sinnott.
The plan would give Amtrak’s fleet better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and higher speed. GE Transportation has said the new locomotives would deliver an estimated fuel savings of 15 percent “and an emission reduction of approximately 60 percent” compared to the older locomotives still in service.
All of Amtrak’s service would benefit, but particularly the Northeast Corridor, long-distance services and state corridors. It would also improve the speed and capacity of intercity passenger rail service, according to a Regional Chamber announcement urging its members to send letters of support to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. More information about its letter campaign is on the Chamber’s website www.eriepa.com.
What’s more, such a move would be a major economic boost to GE Transportation and the Erie region. That’s how City Council sees it. “If this goes through, it could mean big business for GE. It’s a good project,” City Council President Jim Thompson said.
GE Transportation said it was grateful for the local support. “Funding remains a challenge to many high-speed rail projects, but we would be ready to compete to provide the next generation of locomotives to Amtrak,” spokesman Stephan Koller said. “That would help us sustain good-paying jobs here in Erie.”
It’s not clear how this is playing in Congress at the moment, but we join the chorus in urging its passage. This is the kind of public funding that dovetails nicely with private economic development.