Sign in

Lakeshore Rail Alliance

@lakeshorerail.bsky.social
136 followers 49 following 275 posts

Promoting workforce mobility, economic development, quality of life for the Great Lakes and Northeast Megaregions through fast, frequent passenger rail service.

PostsRepliesMedia
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
“Whether you get around mostly by car or you don’t drive at all, most people in the U.S. are united by feeling unhappy with their daily transportation options” usa.streetsblog.org/2026/10/14/s...
usa.streetsblog.org
Study: Americans Already Doubt the Myth that 'Driving is Freedom' — Streetsblog USA
An overwhelming majority of US motorists say they feel they have zero choice in how much they get behind the wheel — and most of them explicitly want to flee a system that forces them to drive almost ...
042 4
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Eddie Dee SV @eddiesv.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Volatile oil prices + a Car-centric transportation = financial difficulty for consumers: www.yahoo.com/news/us/arti...
yahoo.com
Costco Just Put a Purchase Limit on Its Motor Oil As Prices Surge
For a warehouse retailer famous for selling items in endless bulk, imposing strict purchasing limits is a massive red flag. But if you plan on doing a driveway oil change this weekend, you are in for ...
023 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Car-centrism has put us in a bind. We no longer have the money to maintain our roads, and Americans are too cash-strapped to pay more in road use taxes. www.newsbreak.com/share/487546...
newsbreak.com
The government wants to charge Americans new ‘pay-by-the-mile’ road use fee in US state – ‘it’s gonna kill me’ - NewsBreak
GAS prices in one US state could soon be in for a major change under a new pilot program that would see these costs collected elsewhere. Under the change,
054 5
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Per federal data, transportation is a primary driver of financial volatility for American households. It's the 2nd-largest household expense after housing. The avg annual household spends $13,318/yr or 17.0% of HH spending. It's 30% for the poorest households. LEGALIZE TRANSPORTATION FREEDOM!
043 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Car accidents foist $340B in direct costs onto the American economy every year, and $1.37trillion in indirect economic losses: Every.Single.Year. We could build a robust, national passenger rail system--combining both high-speed and conventional speed routes--with $80-100 billion/yr for 30 years.
043 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This suggestion doesn't help when everything is designed around driving. LEGALIZE TRANSPORTATION FREEDOM www.yahoo.com/news/us/arti...
yahoo.com
The trick to lowering gas prices is driving less, US energy secretary says
AAA said Labor Day travelers can expect the highest gas prices ever for this time of year. The national average for regular gas was $4.14 on Sunday.
023 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Owning a car is expensive, but most Americans have no choice in the matter. Designing everything around driving is pushing households to the brink and bankrupting local governments. LEGALIZE TRANSPORTATION FREEDOM
Two years ago, my car registration renewal was $167. The renewal on my Hyundai EV this year is $671. I know it's more for EVs, but this is insane
042 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Trains are the solution. We thank @amtrak.com for doing what it can, but the problem is its legislative remit is incapable of delivering the robust, modern national passenger rail system the country needs. Congress must think big and overhaul federal passenger rail policy.
Amtrak post: Idk the problem but this is the solution.
032 3
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Eddie Dee SV @eddiesv.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
NYC Congestion Pricing: $2 billion in economic benefits...
sciotoanalysis.com
Original Analysis: Scioto Analysis finds New York City’s Congestion Pricing Produced $2 billion in Net Benefits in 2025 — Scioto Analysis
Today, Scioto Analysis released a new cost-benefit analysis of New York City’s Congestion Relief Zone during its first full year of operation.  The analysis estimates that the program produced...
033 3
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Urban Truth Collective @urbantruth.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Simple message, really. Thanks for the bluntness, @nondriver.bsky.social. #UrbanTruth
“3/4 of disabled people don’t drive. Stop using us as an excuse for car dependency.“ Via Anna Zivarts. The tagline at the bottom says “mobility freedom comes from mobility choices.“ Via the Urban Truth Collective in  collaboration with Anna Zivarts.
12939370 939
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
If anything else was killing 5 people every hour, it would be a national emergency. We need to re-design our transportation system: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
theguardian.com
Five Americans die every hour from toxic vehicle emissions, study finds
Research suggests 41,800 premature US deaths in 2024 were attributable to road pollution
043 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Been riding Caltrain for a year. I can attest to the increased ridership, especially on weekends. Mid-day weekdays are getting busier too.
030 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Investing in alternatives to driving gives people more FREEDOM. Freedom to choose how to get around, whether or not they want to own a car. It is good for drivers, good for the economy, good for local government finances.
232 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
Car payments it record high. Driving is becoming unaffordable. We need high-quality options to the car keys. LEGALIZE TRANSPORTATION FREEDOM
jalopnik.com
Monthly New Car Payments Hit A Record $777 As Cars Become More And More Unaffordable - Jalopnik
Plus Toyota is investing billions in its Texas plant, Mercedes-Benz plans to build the "Baby G" in Hungary — not Austria — and another Ford recall.
044 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Very well said. We need a robust federal transportation program for passenger rail. This is how we get there: www.hsrail.org/blog/eight-p...
hsrail.org
Eight Principles for Establishing a U.S. Passenger Rail System
A strong passenger-rail system in the United States must have the full cooperation of the Class 1 railroads.
022 2
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
🚨Action Alert! Tell Congress to fund trains. The current surface transportation bill lacks guaranteed funding for trains: www.hsrail.org/blog/tell-co...
hsrail.org
Tell Congress: Provide Guaranteed Funding for Trains | High Speed Rail Alliance
083 8
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
$150 to $160/barrel oil coming in roughly 3 weeks. This could mean a further $2/gal spike in gas prices. Keeping Americans chained to the gas pump and dependent on the least energy efficient form of transportation will prove to be one of this country's biggest mistakes. www.cnbc.com/2026/05/28/o...
cnbc.com
Exxon warns oil inventories will hit dangerously low levels in weeks, forcing prices to shoot higher
The price of physical Brent oil cargoes will spike to $150 to $160 per barrel once inventories hit all-time lows, Exxon executive Neil Chapman said.
022 2
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
More politicians need to understand this. Car-centric development is bankrupting gov't at all levels and is making US households struggle financially.
1124 12
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
75yrs of car-centric development is bankrupting CA. LA is struggling because of it. Santa Clara just took on $400 million in debt to that won't fix half of a $1 billion infrastructure maintenance backlog. The state has more highways than it can afford to maintain. @strongtowns.org
010 1
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Autonomous vehicles may have some uses, but they are not the solution they are being touted to be. Alternatives to driving remain the best way to deal with car traffic and all of the costs driving foists onto society.
165 6
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Rail Passengers Association @railpassengers.org · 29/05/2026
Soccer fans from across the globe are about to trade their high-speed, reliable transit for the US’s struggling infrastructure. Will the upcoming World Cup be the ultimate wakeup call for American transit, or just a massive logistical nightmare?
twp.ai
fortune.com
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure | Fortune
194 9
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Originally published in 1985, long before today's level of airport security. Some things never change.
Bloom County comic from 1985. Steve Dallas is going through airport security. He gets embarrassed as the airport security officer at the x-ray machine reads off what she sees of Steve's belongings on the monitor: 16 pairs of men's black satin official penthouse peek-a-boo binkini briefs, Dr. Scholl's foot and odor-eater pads (while Steve begs: "Lady, would you keep yer voice down"?, etc. She says "Next". Next in line is Opus. Opus says: "Uh, I'll go Amtrak, thank you".
042 4
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
How many more reasons do we need to clean up our transportation system? Especially providing more alternatives to cars. Don't our kids' lungs matter?
032 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We agree. The Build America 250 Act in its current form falls way short of what's needed for passenger rail, public transit, and other alternatives to driving. It's time for the nation to move on from perpetual highway expansions. elpc.org/blog/congres...
elpc.org
Congress, White House All Talk, No Action on Passenger Trains
Congress' new reauthorization proposal puts passenger rail future on shaky ground
032 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Please join RPA in taking action on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization to help ensure guaranteed funding for passenger rail. It takes less than a minute, and your senators and congress member will be notified of your support:
033 3
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Rail Passengers Association @railpassengers.org · 20/05/2026
We need your help to voice your support for guaranteed funding for rail in the next transportation bill. TAKE ACTION:
twp.ai
action.railpassengers.org
Take Action to Preserve Guaranteed Funding for Passenger Rail
175 7
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Instead of forcing people to improvise, Congress should generously fund alternatives to driving: www.msn.com/en-ca/news/u...
Photo of a man at a gas station who converted a toy Barbie car to run on a small engine. It's a screenshot of the article: "High gas prices spur Americans to improvise, from bus rides to toy cars"
063 6
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Mr. P. Lane vs. Ms. T. Rain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSOO...
youtube.com
Train vs Plane - follow Mr P. Lane & Ms T. Rain on their journeys between London & Scotland
YouTube video by Virgin Trains Ticketing
032 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Good to see the city of Elyria, Ohio working with Amtrak to move the Elyria Amtrak station to a better location. Our proposed Great Lakes Limited gets a mention too: chroniclet.com/news/465676/...
chroniclet.com
County seeks federal funding for Elyria Amtrak station move
Lorain County Transit is actively negotiating with Amtrak on a $10 million plan to move Elyria's Amtrak station to the Lorain County Transportation Center.
073 7
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Nice write-up about Amtrak's car order for the LD trains. Our thinking aligns: Lots of attention to passenger experience, comfort, and other considerations. We applaud it. Big improvement, but touches to make interiors memorable and make the train feel special could use improvement.
railpassengers.substack.com
New Long-Distance Spec: Better Cars Yes, But How About Soul?
An early dive into Amtrak's single-level long-distance fleet replacement RFP, thanks to a recent FOIA request.
022 2
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
We hear you sir!
010 1
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Try again: 50% of the cost of hwys is covered by fuel taxes and user fees. 60% of the costs of our aviation system are paid for by user fees. Moving freight is more profitable than moving people for every transport mode. When have you seen an airline build an airport or Greyhound build a highway?
010 1
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
So what? Brightline's operating deficit is narrowing. It's close to break even and will likely have an operational profit by the end of this year. The problem still remains that they are paying off $5b in infrastructure debt that their competitors never have to worry about. That's the problem here.
000 0
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Why we need federal passenger rail policy reform. Brightline could hold out until they reach operational profitability IF they weren't paying off infrastructure investment. Airlines don't have to pay off airports, bus companies don't have to pay off highways. This double-standard needs to end.
030 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
A high-quality passenger rail network with high-speed trains, fast & frequent conventional trains, and European-style night trains powered by electricity produced domestically would allow airlines to focus on more lucrative long-hauls, and the mess we are currently in wouldn't be so deep.
184 8
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
The headline is all you need to know. They are in financial trouble because they are struggling to pay their lenders. What the article likely doesn't say, is what I said in the OP.
020 2
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Brightline has to pay off the cost of track construction. Airlines don't pay for airport construction. Flixbus/Greyhound, Peter Pan, Boltbus, etc., don't pay for highway construction. We'll never have good passenger rail until Congress stops this double standard. Federal passenger rail reform now!
bloomberg.com
Florida’s Brightline Seeks Rescue to Avoid a Possible Bankruptcy
Florida’s Brightline high-speed rail project is seeking options to address its debt load that avoid sending the Fortress Investment Group-backed firm into a possible bankruptcy, according to people fa...
714331 143
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
can't afford higher taxes to cover the maintenance obligations, the last thing thing the feds should be doing is incentivizing new-build highway projects.
030 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Is it time for the federal gov't to get out of the business of funding new lane miles? Considering we have been in diminishing returns with highway expansions for at least 3 decades, the answer is becoming obvious. When you can't maintain what you have, and people (cont'd...)
Strong Towns graphic saying "Mission Accomplished" about the US interstate highway program, with the following additional thought: "We achieved the objective of the interstate highway system, but we struggle to stop building"
153 5
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
When 9/11 happened, the aviation system was shut down. The country ran out of rental cars. At Chicago Union Station a stranded American said to an Amtrak ticket agent (true story!): "Whaddya mean there is no train to Columbus?!?!?" A robust passenger rail system would have kept America moving.
0113 11
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
🚝High-speed rail runs on electricity produced domestically. This makes HSR a national security issue 🚝🚌🚃🚲More high-quality travel options means more freedom: Freedom from car debt if you want. Freedom to leave the car keys at home if you want. Freedom to avoid flying hassles if you want.
030 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
Flights are being cut due to jet fuel shortages. Ticket prices on remaining flights are spiking. Millions of Americans are underwater on their car loans. Car loan debt surpassed student loan debt in 2023. We need high-speed rail. Here's why:
174 7
Reposted by Lakeshore Rail Alliance
Eddie Dee SV @eddiesv.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Transportation and land use are closely linked. This is part of Silicon Valley (I took this pic a few days ago). Designing everything around the car + all that exclusive R1 zoning is why there is a housing shortage here. It's also why virtually all of the cities (cont'd)
Photo of part of Silicon Valley (near Los Gatos), about 1,500 feet above. Picture shows the very poor land use choices that were made as this area was developed.
133 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The "Great Lakes Limited" is our proposal for a Detroit-NYC day train through Toledo, Cleveland, Erie, and Upstate NY
050 5
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Congratulations to @allaboardohio.org dohio for a great meeting this past Saturday. One of our representatives was in attendance to give a presentation on our Great Lakes Limited proposal. AAO is the best organized state-level passenger rail advocacy organization in the nation
abc6onyourside.com
Push to bring passenger rail back to Ohio gains momentum at Columbus summit
A renewed push to expand passenger rail service across Ohio is picking up momentum, as transportation leaders, lawmakers, and advocates gather in Columbus.
132 3
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
There is no American love affair with the automobile. It's a shotgun marriage.
052 5
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
One of our favorite things in @Amtrak's preliminary renderings for the new LD cars: electronic seat reservation displays. Let's hope these end up in the final design and leads to riders being able to reserve their seats when they book! It would be a huge improvement for both passengers and crews.
182 8
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
@amtrak.com released design renderings for its replacement long-distance fleet. To Amtrak's credit they are making improvements. Since this is likely just a first pass, I hope we see some new configurations for the lounges and roomettes, a lie-flat seating option, etc.
media.amtrak.com
Amtrak Takes Big Step Towards New Long Distance Trains - Amtrak Media
We’ve issued a formal request for suppliers to bid on the new Long Distance fleet replacement contract.
052 5
Lakeshore Rail Alliance @lakeshorerail.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Highly recommend this book. Tired of pain at the pump? Tired of the hassle and expense of car ownership? There is a way out. This book explains how (and how we got here in the first place). www.jalopnik.com/2144859/life...
jalopnik.com
'Life After Cars' Is The Book America Needs Right Now - Jalopnik
The changes Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon argue for offer an escape from the endless cycle of some random event blowing up your gas budget every few years.
022 2