DRAFT letter to the editor

Having run out of credible arguments, high speed rail opponents are resorting to fabrications to get progress off track [PUBLICATION WHERE LETTER RAN, HEADLINE, DATE].

Here is one overriding fact: When given the chance, Americans increasingly flock to this clean and efficient form of travel.

In the Northeast, home to the only high speed service in the U.S.,  trains grew their share of the air/rail market between New York and Boston from 36% to 41% -- for a total of 3 million rides a year on just a few routes.  Those train fares tend to be cheaper than competing airfares, and even driving.

This is why California and Florida are planning ambitious high-speed rail networks. Their states have choked themselves with roadways and airports and still can't move people efficiently.

The same reasons are behind the enthusiastic support of Governor [NAME] and other Midwestern governors for high speed rail.

New energy-efficient trains, tracks and signal systems will unleash the true power of train travel, which other developed countries already enjoy.

Not only are these trains fast and convenient, they will lessen our dependence on foreign oil:  U.S. Department of Transportation figures show high speed rail consumes nearly 10 times less fuel than cars and six times less than planes.

The taxpayer return on public investment in rail will be as great if not greater than it with roads or airports because of the reduction in pollution and foreign oil consumption high-speed trains bring.

The choice for Americans is simple: if you think our transportation system and environment ain't broke, don't fix them. If you do, it's time to get on board with high speed rail. Fast.