View from the Cordillera

A Commentary on Achieving Excellence in Local Government
Read by Municipal Leaders on 4 Continents
Published by the Cordillera Institute (Vol. 4, Issue 8)

Restoring Our Disappearing Rail Services (part 2)

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Summary of This Commentary
In the previous issue, we saw how poor senior-government policy choices have stacked the deck against rail in the competition for our transportation dollars.  In this issue, we see how to begin levelling the playing field so that, ultimately, all modes of transportation will be treated equally by government at all levels.  Where should we look for solutions?  Should they be market-based or should they rely on the intervention of senior government?  What should be done about monopolies in our transportation systems?  What is the challenge with an open-access solution?  How should open access be structured?  How can we avoid the creation of new monopolies and promote the benefits of competition?  How should abandoned railroad rights-of-way be handled?  What should happen to rail lines which are no longer profitable?  How should rail networks be expanded?  This commentary provides some answers to those questions.  Their purpose is to show how rail's house could be put in order and to offer a model for doing the same with other modes of transportation.

As always, we welcome your comments.

David Barber
Director
Cordillera Institute
(416) 293-9300
CordInst@istar.ca
http://pages.istar.ca/~cordinst/

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Each week, View from the Cordillera covers some aspect of excellence in local government.  It may examine one of the success elements; it may present a case study; it may introduce a resource (an individual, a group, a publication, etc.) which is advancing excellence; it may advocate a new direction for local government; or it may identify a wrong turn in public policy and offer an appropriate remedy.  This electronic publication is being sent to those who govern, manage, support, and sustain our municipalities.  For more information, just click on the About VFC button below.

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