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Who should pay to have PTS done?
Author: Dragoman
Date: 09-12-2015 - 16:56
I don't want to start a (or more than one!) argument here, but should the government be paying for this? Isn't this a safety issue? We don't pay companies for complying with OSHA (or FRA) rules making workplaces safer, nor for producing less-dangerous consumer products. Yet all of those requirements add to companies' costs.
The commuter roads may be another question, because they are largely taxpayer-supported in any case.
But the "freight" railroads? They sure are quick to point out that they are private enterprise and private landowners when Amtrak or a commuter road wants to run more trains, and they should be compensated (to the point of the government paying for infrastructure that the companies will then own!). If they are private enterprise, then they can pay to make their operations safer. (And let's be clear -- while only required where there are passenger and/or hazardous freight operaions, it will make ALL operations safer.)
The commuter roads may be another question, because they are largely taxpayer-supported in any case.
But the "freight" railroads? They sure are quick to point out that they are private enterprise and private landowners when Amtrak or a commuter road wants to run more trains, and they should be compensated (to the point of the government paying for infrastructure that the companies will then own!). If they are private enterprise, then they can pay to make their operations safer. (And let's be clear -- while only required where there are passenger and/or hazardous freight operaions, it will make ALL operations safer.)
