Happening Now
We Still Need Commuter Trains
February 9, 2021
Think We'll All Work From Home From Now On? Think Again.
by Jim Mathews / President & CEO
I'm still fighting the wrong-headed perception that one of the coronavirus pandemic's lessons is that we don't need to travel for work anymore. Thankfully, however, a daily parade of Work From Home Fails continues to offer us all reminders that not everyone's job can be done remotely -- and even if it CAN be done remotely, sometimes it's a bad idea.
For your consideration, click here to watch as a hapless attorney tries to participate in a hearing -- before an actual judge -- through Zoom. Evidently someone had an entertaining filter set up before he logged on and, well...just watch it yourself. I'm willing to bet this poor fellow would give anything right now to be able to show up in person to work.
And, laughter aside, there are millions of people who rely on public transportation to get to and from work, many of whom are waiting out the pandemic and doing their best to work from home with mixed results. Congress is considering a $30 billion injection for our Nation's transit systems as part of a Covid rescue package. I think we know at least one person who can't wait for the pandemic to be over...
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.
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