Terrence Wall in June, 2007, singing the praises of trains as a transit option:
“…I do support Kathleen Falk’s commuter rail proposal. …Some people say that commuter rail won’t work and people won’t ride it. Well let me tell you different. When I worked in London during my summer internship with Prudential in 1988, I rode the rail line every day to work. Not only was riding the rail convenient, I didn’t have to fight traffic or pay for expensive parking… Riding the rail just became second nature… Commuter rail stations located on the periphery would also promote economic development, including retail, housing and office space, which would add to the city’s tax base and anchor neighborhoods… Of course there are the added side benefits to commuter rail as well, like less vehicle pollution, fewer beltline traffic deaths, less traffic hassles, and less sprawl.”
While the Terrence Wall of June, 2007 couldn’t say enough nice things about trains as a viable mass transit option, the Terrence Wall of April, 2010 doesn’t have many nice things to say about trains, whether they’re of the high speed or commuter variety.
As noted by Mike Tate, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, “Flip-flopping seems to be a regular theme for the Republicans running in the primary for U.S. Senate. Being for something, before you were against it isn’t usually a tactic voters appreciate.”
Either Terrence Wall thinks Wisconsin’s voters are really really stupid or he really doesn’t care what they think, but either way he needs to learn that talking out of both sides of one’s mouth isn’t going to win the hearts and minds of many voters.
This rail thingy is so stupid. Who wants to go to Madison at $100 round trip? Poor people? And the airport besides? It’s just another way to spend taxpayer money.
Oh, that money comes from the Feds? Where did they get it?
Jack, the feds can print money! Or borrow it from the Chinese. Don’t worry about it. We never have to pay the piper. It’s all good. Just smile and wave as the shiny new (and empty) train that Obama and Doyle bought goes by.
The Madison – Milwaukee train connection is part of a larger high speed regional rail initiative. The connection will allow for Madison to Chicago transportation via rail and will also connect through Chicago to other Midwest locations. Eventually Madison will be a station on the Chicago – Milwaukee – Madison – Minneapolis route. As Tom Still of the Wisconsin Technology Council has said high speed rail will boost the state’s economy by tieing together the major locations of the I-Q corridor once completed, by encouraging development along the corridor especially in locations with stations, by creating public transportation options for areas currently not being served… For more see: http://www.biztimes.com/blogs/milwaukee-biz-blog/2010/3/26/high-speed-rail-will-boost-wisconsins-economy
I’m not sold on the argument. How do you offset the terrorist target and security costs? Oh, that money comes from the Feds too! (???)
Amtrak has posted another year with all-time record high ridership. To say no one would ride it is a hollow argument. That’s almost as good as the straw men that Mr. Lohman is holding up.
Jason, I don’t care what the facts say….people don’t want to ride the choo-choo!
If so many people are eagerly waiting to ride it, why doesn’t the private sector respond and step in to start one up and run it?
Only tax payers will fund the construction of a rail system. and a few like Terrence Wall will not contribute a dime (he hasn’t paid Wisconsin Income Tax for the past 4 out of 5 years. I support a rail system but only if EVERYONE pays for it.