You may be aware of my interest in bringing high speed rail to Fort Wayne. Tomorrow night, you will all have a chance to learn more about the subject. There will be a public rally at Indiana Tech, in the Andorfer Commons (1600 E. Washington Blvd.) from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. There will be speakers and a film showing what has been done with the TGV, France's high speed rail.The more people who come, the more it will show legislators that the people of Fort Wayne and surrounding area want this valuable service. The first step is to get state legislators to support a study to move rail plans along in 2009.
Advantages of high speed rail: It approaches the speed of airflight, when one figures in travel from distant airports to city centers. It is almost never stopped for weather (airflight certainly is). It will provide an excellent alternative to air travel as airports are approaching capacity in the US. It is even safer than air travel (which is pretty safe itself). It uses far less fuel, per passenger mile, than air travel, which will help reduce dependence on foreign oil and reduce global warming pollutants. It has languished with almost no government subsidy, that more inefficient forms of travel have always had (roads, airports). Other countries have seen it's advantages, and invest significant amounts of tax dollars, the only way a rail systems thrives. It would also bring much needed business and livelihood into Fort Wayne's Downtown.
Come, learn about and support bringing high speed rail to Fort Wayne!
Phillip Wright, MD
Medical Director
Physicians Health Plan
