Rail and Hyperloops | Luther for Congress

As an Amtrak rider and fan, I know all too well the benefits of riding a train. I even rode a train when I used to work in Syracuse. But I also know the disadvantages. Very often, trains are delayed due to construction, freight transport, and other major barriers that causes headaches. But imagine just needing transportation to get to a job in another city. That is very hard enough. Not to mention Amtrak is inconvenient for travel in Western New York in and of itself with limited schedules.

Currently, in the United States, we are behind in transportation for those who especially cannot drive or who would prefer rail travel to get to a destination. As Europe and Asia outpaces rail transportation, we are behind enough. Not to mention, how is someone going to get to a work or a business meeting, even to a place in a timely fashion without new railroad structure. It also puts tourists at a great disadvantage and

Enter my proposal known as Operation All Aboard. Operation All Aboard is where our nation's railroads are upgraded and passenger rail service privatized. It starts with the rapid transition and construction to high speed rail and the addition of maglev and hyperloop lines within two years. It will connect cities previously not served by Amtrak.

Here is how this system will work. As part of an effort to put more people into jobs and out of poverty, the Hands Up approach, the welfare-to-work, and other approaches will be used to get Americans (especially veterans, those with records in need of a second chance, young adults, able bodied adults, and those in grave poverty) will be given training on this plan. No high school diploma will be required. After Americans have filled up the position, immigrants who go through legal channels and a detailed background check will continue to fill. They will be trained, and English-On-Site will be the plan. When the exact number of jobs are filled (most likely will be in the billions), the workers will be part of Operation All Aboard.

Operation All Aboard will take our nation's current rail system and upgrade the system to High-Speed Railroads. The railroads will be bought out to create a two-way passenger railroad system fully owned by Amtrak. A third railroad line (with an occasional fourth line) will be used for freight transportation used by private companies such as CSX in the Rochester area. Additionally, Maglev will be used as another option for rail travel between cities and towns, especially in areas with elevated levels. Hyperloop will be used for ultra-speed travel between major cities where demand and population is greater. This will increase passenger transportation nationwide and trigger a system that will go beyond a 21st century transportation model. Only private companies will operate passenger rails and tubes, whereas Amtrak would be responsible for law enforcement, stations, and management of the railroads. Amtrak will also be responsible for scheduling paratransit for people with disabilities and auto trains to different destinations, while private companies would provide paratransit trains and Auto Trains. Within a maximum of three years, the nation's new railroad, maglev, and loop systems will be 100% complete and for the first time, cities nationwide not served will be served, and more scheduled trains will take people places more than ever. At train stations nationwide, companies and organizations will have the ability to sponsor a station for a certain amount of time, giving naming rights for each station to increase participation. Outdated train stations will also be rebuilt, new train hubs will be made, and our nation's bridges and tunnels at risk of collapse and destruction will be remodeled. Amtrak service during the three years will be provided as Thruway service, meaning that bus service will be provided. For freight transportation, it will be partially done by trucks to temporarily accommodate the fixture of railroads.

In Rochester, there will be two train stations. The first is the Louise Slaughter Station. The second would be in Henrietta. The Louise Slaughter station will have Maglev (including direct access to High Falls, Orleans County, and Lake Ontario communities) and regular, open-source high-speed rail, and a monorail that will connect passengers between Downtown Rochester and Henrietta, as well as the Frederick Douglass Airport. The Henrietta station (will be known as a central hub for commerce, innovation, and trade, along with mass weather tracking) will be home to Rail, Maglev, a direct line to Letchworth State Park, Hyperloops, a direct path to RIT and U of R, a gateway for indoor pedestrian highway, and a central bus terminal for RTS (both RTS Connect and RTS On Demand - Henrietta, RTS Livingston, RIT, UofR, and intercity passenger buses. The station and commerce center will also be part of a major megaplex that will serve as the Rochester area's center for science, research, innovation, business, shopping, media production, dining, healthcare, office functions, government offices (including the possibility of having the Western New York satellite office for the Governor of New York), water facilities, athletic centers, and a major weather center that includes a tower thousands of feet high that will track snow and major weather situations before it happens. This will also trigger snow emergencies and cause prompt action before it happens, resulting in lives saved and efficient responses (including homeland security responses) instead of lives lost and major burdens. Learn more about the Henrietta Project by clicking here.

When the rail system is completed, freight rail will have x amount of two way rail for every x amount of one way rail, and would abide by the same train traffic rules currently in place. Passenger rail will have their own lines, and will have the right of way at all times.

Additionally, for all railroad stations, every 15 miles of railroad track, and within three miles from a station or hub, will have a sponsor. Sponsorship naming rights will be a part of the system, meaning that, from 1 day up to 1 year, a company, an organization, an individual, or an entity can purchase these rights for a minimum of one day and a maximum of one year, with unlimited renewals, giving relief to the average American and in turn, contributing to the communities they serve. In addition to taxing the politicians - NOT the hardworking people of the United States, in return, bringing powerful paychecks in one's pocket. For some rails and loops, it would be owned by a particular entity (example: A loop that would go from Henrietta to State College, PA would be owned by Penn State and there would be a specific concourse in Henrietta for Penn State travelers. A direct Maglev line to Letchworth State Park would be owned by the New York State Parks Department and a specific concourse would be available for Letchworth travelers.).

If elected, Operation All Aboard will be the top priority in Washington. While it will be a short-term burden, the long-term results are near-zero taxes, less government red tape, higher efficiency, massive amounts of jobs, increased tourism, and increased economic prosperity, along with a win/win for freight and passenger customers alike. Most importantly, it will decrease Chinese and European dependency and address environmental concerns without sadistic ideas or policies by career politicians.

To better understand Operation All Aboard, here's how it will work:

1. Luring Americans and eventually legal migrants who enter through a port of entry into this work in forms of tiers (concurrent with Welfare-to-Productivity):

Tier 1: Homeless Citizens and Veterans

Tier 2: Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces

Tier 3: Frontline workers who served during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Tier 4: Unemployed Citizens and Veterans

Tier 5: Victims of Human Trafficking

Tier 6: Victims of Domestic Violence

Tier 7: Persons and Families in Poverty within Urbanized Counties (Examples include the City of Rochester and all of Monroe County, but would also include residents in cities and immediate areas such as Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, St. Louis, etc.)

Tier 8: Persons in Poverty elsewhere

Tier 9: High School and Trade Program Graduates

Tier 10: Trade Apprentices (18+)

Tier 11: Inmates and Institutional Patients Worthy of Reform

Tier 12: College and University Graduates

Tier 13: College and University Interns

Tier 14: College and University Students

Tier 15: Persons with Disabilities (who can do either a Remote Position or an On-Site Position with reasonable accommodations)

Tier 16: Older Teenagers (16 - 17) in Juvenile Detention, with Parental Consent

Tier 17: Older Teenagers (16 - 17) in Foster Care at risk of homelessness with Guardian Consent

Tier 18: Older Teen Apprentices (14 - 17) with Parental Consent (would count as a form of "educational opportunity")

Tier 19: Puerto Rican Citizens

Tier 20: Citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Tier 21: Citizens of all other territories except the American Samoa

Tier 22: Citizens and Residents of the American Samoa

Tier 23: All Other American Citizens and Residents

Tier 24: Vetted, Legal "All Aboard" Applicants from Canada and Mexico

Tier 25: Vetted, Legal Immigrants from all other countries

*The Railroad Environment in context of persons under age 18 means any occupational role, which can range from office work and artwork up to construction and engineering. Most minors would be eligible to do roles such as office work, artwork, cleanup, and photography, but many roles would require having a minimum age of 16 years or be designated as an apprentice, shadow, trade learner, or intern.

**Those who have a degree in meteorology or related fields from an eligible university or an international equivalent, or in a degree of science, technology, engineering, and/or math would be eligible to participate in research and building involvement for the new multi-thousand foot Rochester weather tower.

At least 90% out of 99% of all Americans, or the required number of American citizens, under the Prosperity Plan must be part of Operation All Aboard before any foreign national would be eligible (whichever comes first). Over 75% from Tier 24 and Tier 25 must be citizens or residents of Canada or Mexico after nearly all Americans are part of Operation All Aboard. The rest (under 25%) would be foreign nationals worldwide who must adhere to strict rules and background checks.

2. Everyone would be in training that would last 3 - 6 months per one tier. There would be no tests or exams, just hands-on learning and path to apprenticeships.

3. Once the first five tiers are trained and completed, they would begin work immediately nationwide from the building of railroads and Hyperloop tubes to building of trains and loops. English as a New Language will be on the spot as part of their work. At this phase, Passenger Rail is stopped for a minimum of three years and buses take the place. Meanwhile, freight rail would be temporarily limited.

4. After three years, provided that work is fully completed, test rides will be accomplished and passenger rail will resume under a new open-source system.

Here's what Operation All Aboard would result in (the newly reimagined Rail System and the National Pedestrian Highway System):

NATIONAL OPEN-SOURCE RAILWAY SYSTEM

NATIONAL PEDESTRIAN HIGHWAY SYSTEM

The concept of bringing high speed rail to Rochester is not new, it was an idea first brought to light by the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (Source: https://votelouise.com/issues/432/high-speed-rail) and it is long overdue to bring the system to the United States. When Maglev and Hyperloop is added, this will end the consistent talking and more action will be taken.