Imagine
You board a sleek passenger train for a meeting in a city 200 miles away. You stroll to the dining car for breakfast. Comfortably seated, you plan your meeting over coffee, then, respond to email, google the closest transit stop. Done, you read two chapters of that new novel. Before you realize it, you’re there, refreshed and ready.
Or, perhaps…You decide to drive and bring the family. Your husband wants to take the kids to the zoo during your meeting. In place of the harrowing ride through all that interstate construction you used to dread–sandwiched between heavy trucks–your family’s car is surrounded by open space. The tension is gone. You enjoy the landscape.
These two scenarios of the future could be the result of deciding now to face our national transportation crisis. We must adopt a more livable course. Stop building more and wider highways; instead, construct the North American Steel Interstate System. The Steel Interstate is faster, safer, greener, cleaner, cheaper, and better for business.
If we build the Steel Interstate System, good things will happen…
“My family life has improved since I stopped driving over-the-road. I’ve lost 20 pounds even though I’m home for dinner every night. Driving between that new Steel Interstate terminal and the customers is fine by me.”
“When I began to suffer from macular degeneration, they took my license away. I was isolated. Now, I take the bus to the station and go to see my relatives in Canada, with just two train changes.”
“During that last oil shortage, I waited in line in the 98 degree July heat for three hours. They limited me to 10 gallons. So today, I’m taking the train to Atlanta instead of driving. I hadn’t realized how relaxing it would be!”
“My company started using the new ‘just-in-time’ service introduced by BNSF. We’ve been very pleased with the on-time reliability of the service and the prices can’t be beat.”
“My parents come to visit from Ohio by train. I used to worry all day about Dad’s driving. Now, I look forward to their visits and the kids get to see their grandparents more often. Imagine, Dad says he may sell the car!”
“The EPA was pretty much shut down new business in our town when we were ‘non-attainment’…or whatever. It WAS smoggy, but now most long distance trucks are riding straight through on that new Steel Interstate. The skies cleared; EPA eased-up. Bye, can’t be late for my job interview.”
“I dreaded sending Jasmine on the plane to visit her dad. She hated all that security—made her worry even more. Since he took that new job, the train helps him to stay in her life. Since we’re divorced, she needs that.”
“Michael is in sales. He travels lots. I used worry when the snow started to fall with him on that icy road. Now, I imagine him sipping coffee and catching up on the sports page as he comes home to me.”
“I used to feel guilty flying home for Thanksgiving. What a carbon bootprint! But the Steel Interstate runs on wind power, and you’re not packed in like a sardine. I love arriving to smiles at the station!”
“Me? I’m happy it’s here. Makes my rig more productive. I sleep and eat on the train with the truck following behind, making time. Down time used to be a loss. Now, I’m moving when I’m sleeping. Take that, I.C.C.!”
“Man, do I hate airport security and sitting on the tarmac with the air off. Last month, they cancelled my flight for the last time. Today, I’m traveling civilized, and fast on the new ‘City of New Orleans’. Thank you Steel Interstate.”
