I was excited to read the article on magnetic levitation (maglev) in the July 26 Transportation section. But I was dismayed to read former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sam Skinner`s conclusion of the technology-that maglev is still a train and the consensus is, Americans don`t ride trains.
As one of the hundreds of thousands of daily commuters riding Metra, I`d have to disagree. In fact, I think more people would be likely to ride trains if technology advances, such as maglevs, would increase the speed and efficiency of public transportation.
What Sam Skinner was afraid to say was that the Bush administration is fearful such an improvement in technology would deal a severe blow to the ailing automobile industry, as well as the oil industry.
When will American policy toward the environment overcome this stigma of jobs vs. the environment? When the automobile was first invented, did the government dismiss it so that the horse and buggy industry would not go downhill?
It`s time to embrace the future and not fear it. Improve the lives of American citizens by offering them the best in public transportation and alternative energy sources. Not only will new jobs be created by new technology, but, more important, alternative energy and transportation developments will ensure that in the future we will actually have a planet around in which to work.
