Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 9, 1993 TAG: 9309090166
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"There is [an NS] corporate interest in this, but there is also a public interest to be considered," Bowers said Wednesday.
Bowers said NS should be included in talks about the proposed passenger service because the train would use the railroad's lines through Virginia.
A longtime acquaintance of Goode's, Bowers said he respects the railroad and Goode's views on the Amtrak proposal.
But Bowers believes that what he perceives to be widespread public support for the passenger train should be considered, too.
"You can't please everyone," Bowers said. "There is always going to be some opposition."
Last week, Goode said he doubted there was a market for passenger service through Roanoke as part of a proposed New York-Atlanta route. The NS chief said he doesn't think there is sufficient demand for passenger service in Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee to make it feasible.
Passenger service also could restrict and hinder the schedules for NS freight trains, he said.
Goode also predicted the cost for the new route would be much higher than Amtrak's estimate of $60 million for equipment and a $10 million annual subsidy.
Despite Goode's misgivings, Bowers and other supporters of the Amtrak route will meet with Sens. Charles Robb, D-Va., and James Sasser, D-Tenn., this month to seek their support.
Bowers said many cities, towns and chambers of commerce along the proposed route have endorsed the idea.
Bowers continues to push for passenger service in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia even though Amtrak holds out little hope.
Bowers said the talks are still in the early stages, and there is time for NS to be included to avoid conflicts with schedules for freight trains.
"This a five- or six-year project, and we are just in the first year," he said.
Bowers said he agrees that a market study is needed to determine support.
State Sen. William Wampler Jr., R-Bristol, has asked state officials to determine whether rail service from Washington to Richmond and Southwest Virginia could break even. Bowers said this would be a marketing study.
If the equipment could be leased, Wampler said, there would be no start-up cost and service could be provided much sooner than through Amtrak.
by CNB