Monday, September 24, 2007

Post editorials about airways congestion -- most recently, "The Crowded Skies," Sept. 10 -- have omitted one big part of the solution: Divert travel off planes by investing in rail to provide fast, frequent service in more markets.

Many states long have been poised to help with such investments if federal matching grants materialize. Some states, such as California, Wisconsin, Washington and North Carolina, already have partnered with Amtrak without federal funds, but most future improvements require an end to the anti-rail bias in federal funding.

The National Association of Railroad Passengers has offered a proposal that, simply by upgrading existing and already planned rail infrastructure, could bring passenger trains to 103 more metropolitan areas and more options to people who already have some train service.

ROSS B. CAPON

Executive Director

National Association

of Railroad Passengers

Washington