Passenger and freight: the winning debate - RSSI 2003 C&S Exhibition - Brief Article

Railway Age, June, 2003

The role of Amtrak, access to the national rail system, increased capital needs, cooperation with freight railroads, and the involvement of the federal government are issues that will be addressed by an industry-leaders discussion panel on July 8 at the RSSI 2003 C&S Exhibition.

Mike Pracht, chairman of the Committee on Passenger Transportation at the Railway Supply Institute, will moderate a panel that includes Matthew K. Rose (chairman, president, and CEO, BNSF), Charles R. Eisele (senior vice president-planning and administration, Union Pacific), Robert W. Anestis (chairman, Florida East Coast), Philip A. Pagano (executive director, Metra), Gil Mallory (vice president-planning and business development, Amtrak), and John M. Gibson (vice president-passenger operations planning, CSX). They will field questions from William C. Vantuono (editor, Railway Age), Don Phillips (transportation writer, The Washington Post), and Pat Foran (editor, Progressive Railroading). Audience participation is welcome and will be solicited.

"As Americans continue to grapple with increased mobility problems, the need for a more balanced national transportation system becomes more pressing," says Pracht. "Increased investments in rail can improve mobility, foster intermodal cooperation, and provide meaningful alternatives to passengers and shippers alike. Using higher-speed passenger rail to connect city pairs of 100 to 400 miles will provide greater reliability and safety for the motorist, a more productive alternative for the air traveler, and an improved national transportation system for the country. These are the issues we'll be addressing."

The session will last 90 minutes, followed by a second smaller panel discussing increased integration between communication and signal systems and the role of new technology, Panelists will be identified at a later date.