And they always talking about it, but connecting MARC and SEPTA to cross the gap between these systems would be a good gain. Many plans have come and gone.
How about this? It's a start at least...
- Directly-ish connects:
-- 16 of KY's top 20 largest cities*
-- 9 of TN's top 10**
(missing Franklin and Johnson City)
- Provides connection w/ existing Amtrak in west KY/TN and NKY
* note:
- Ashland is connected via Cincinnati w/ existing Amtrak
- Covington/Florence/Independence served by 1 station w/ local transit TANK, same with Jeffersontown/Louisville and TARC
- skips Richmond, Nicholasville, and Paducah for now
I just got back from Italy. Everywhere is the answer. They built everything from high speed rails to local trolley cars around 2,000 year old culture. Even hourlies to the tiny towns in Cinque Terra. It’s an embarrassment we don’t have this nationwide.
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Just a big loop with trains running in both directions, hitting airports and major universities along the way.
Something tells me that now that I've mentioned it, the state of Texas is going to jump on the suggestion and just get it done.
- Directly-ish connects:
-- 16 of KY's top 20 largest cities*
-- 9 of TN's top 10**
(missing Franklin and Johnson City)
- Provides connection w/ existing Amtrak in west KY/TN and NKY
- Ashland is connected via Cincinnati w/ existing Amtrak
- Covington/Florence/Independence served by 1 station w/ local transit TANK, same with Jeffersontown/Louisville and TARC
- skips Richmond, Nicholasville, and Paducah for now
- counting Franklin, which has bus service to Nashville via WeGo
But realistically it's probably something in Texas since those cities are larger.
I know that's not a "region" but would easily be connectable.
An average of 80mph (including stops) would make it a 6hr ride from Nashville to Chicago.
I think that would start to compete with flying.