Passenger rail service could be expanded under legislation to make federal matching funds available to states that invest in Amtrak service.
Washington and Oregon should continue to invest, with incremental infrastructure improvements to make trains an alternative to driving or flying. A similar bill was bottled up in Congress last fall but apparently has a better chance with Democrats in control.
Several trains daily between Portland and Vancouver are currently funded by the states, a subsidy that works out to less than for buses and other forms of transit, according to The Columbian. The matching funds could be used for infrastructure, while leveling the transportation playing field by charging more for use of airports and highways.