There is no more vital transportation need locally, regionally or nationally than the restoration, expansion and modernization of commuter rail service. Rail is the missing tooth in our transportation mix. Currently the only alternatives are driving and flying — both of which are energy inefficient. Flying will become unaffordable for large segments of the public in the near future and doesn’t address medium distances in any event. That leaves driving, the cost of which will track the escalating costs of fuel and roadway maintenance.

What is the alternative? Shall we delay while the level of service on our road system continues to degenerate and the cost of private motoring becomes confiscatory before making the decision to fund this essential alternative? Now is the time to spend public dollars to create public goods.