While the ownership roles of
passenger and freight are reversed in the NEC, the problems in accommodating two competing
sets of customer scheduling expectations, like two sets of distinguishable operational
specs, remain.
Finally, the juggling of unrelated schedules can lead to unforeseen
congestion. Delays can thus have complex causes, reflecting both scheduling and technical
incompatibilities. Said Mr. Hagen, "even where scheduling priorities can be worked
out in planning, problems can arise in practice. Just as on a highway, as a rail line's
traffic volume increases beyond a certain point, even small problems or variations from
schedule can cause major delays, resulting in service failures for both freight and
passenger trains."
Railroad companies were once glad to resolve such scheduling difficulties in
favor of passenger trains, because the public judged their performance on the basis of
their passenger service and their freight customers usually had nowhere else to go. But
with more pressing schedules, freight customers are demanding more priority and
considering other modes of transport.
Says Conrail's Rich, "many . . . local-haul customers are likely to
disappear as rail |
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business." Accordingly, Rich says,
Conrail will not be soliciting new business in the Corridor. "In that environment, we
simply cannot provide the service our customers expect from us."
Moreover, delays in rail freight now carry certain real and perceived social
costs. As Mr. Hagen points out, "Rail freight is important to people, too. It means
jobs and lower consumer prices. And it also represents potential truck movements. If the
public sector is investing in rail passenger service in order to reduce highway congestion
and air pollution, then what has been gained if at the same time we force thousands of
truckloads back onto the highway because of deteriorating rail freight service?"
Nevertheless, Mr. Hagen says that Conrail supports high-speed passenger
trains in the United States. And he says that Conrail stands ready and willing to do its
part in making improved passenger service a reality across its service area.
But, given all the problems, he said at the 1994 conference: "We believe
that providing separate dedicated tracks for high-speed trains represents a safer and more
cost-effective approach." |
CONEG
Policy Research Center, Inc.
The CONEG Policy Research
Center, Inc. is an incorporated non-profit organization which serves as the staff arm to
the Coalition of Northeastern Governors. As an association of the nine Northeastern
Governors, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) encourages intergovernmental
cooperation in the region through joint consideration of common problems relating to the
economic, environmental and social well-being of the Northeast states. Through CONEG, the
Governors can explore shared problems and emerging challenges, exchange information on
innovative solutions, and undertake cooperative actions. |
July  1995
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