Rail

==Background==
* Light Rail on Wikipedia.
* Heavy rail on Wikipedia.
====
* Planks on Rail Transportation from Mark Rauterkus
* Position of Eileen Watt on Commuter Rail Line from 2006
===Statements===
* KQV Broadcast Reply by Glenn A. Walsh concerning the North Shore Connector from July, 2006
* Time to terminate the twin tunnels by Robert W. Dickey of KQV in July, 2006
== Doomsdays for operations must be matched with capital cutbacks.==
PAT's doomsday budget, talked about for a couple of years, hit in December 2004. 
Heavy rail is used in NYC, Chicago, Boston, etc. We look at the rail lines as a problem, like in Rt. 28. I see that as an advantage. 
In the last campaign, a guy wanted me to have a train trip excursion, up in the north on a private train line. 
I'd have no problem working the Overbrook T on regular campaign stops. 
The only other thing to mention is the disparity and racial issues with the way the T goes to the South Hills, but is not going to the east. Lots of my friends from our UU church in Mt. Lebo live out in the South Hills. They have a great deal. The rest of the couny gets the shaft. 
We need to take rail (light and heavy) around the area where there are upsides. 
I'd also like to do a few creative things to talk about horses -- no joke. Why not have a "coach" from Station Square to South Side Works -- every day every night. Not sure it needs to go on the MAIN Street. We've got a path back there along the river. 
And, what about a re-do of the buses in downtown. ??? 
Transportation needs to be part of the mix in the overall discussions and platform.
== If I remember, you are quite anti-light rail. Right? ==
Wrong.
I think light-rail and mass transit is great. However, I'm against bone-headed expansions, even for light rail projects. I am for prudent expansions if they make great sense. I'm for upkeep of all existing assets. 
I'm turned off by corporate welfare. Too many massive government programs benefit specific corporations. I'm not happy and satisfied that so much has been given away, including the public's trust. For example, Pittsburgh put in a light-rail stop and a parking garage to benefit the Firstside expansion of PNC. 
I'll strongly support public programs that benefit the public if these programs make sense and if they can be paid for. Too many projects are only pipe-dreams when it comes to finance implications. 
 We must stop the spending of money that we don't have for improvements that don't really help so as to continue to give benefits to a tiny fraction of our community rather than the general public.
category:transportation