Joe Biden : Big Fan and Customer of Rail Transport, Amtrak
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 08.26.08
Joe Biden on a bus in 1976 (love the hat and sportsjacket matchup) and in 2004 on a train
Shortly after he was elected to the senate in 1972, Joe Biden's wife and daughter were killed in a car crash. To take care of his two sons he commuted an hour and a half from Washington to Wilmington, Delaware by train and has continued to do so ever since.
Not surprisingly, he is a big supporter of Amtrak and rail transport. In 2002 he said:
"For 30 years, I have witnessed Congress dangling a carrot in front of Amtrak's eyes, funding it just enough for it to limp along. And I'll tell you, this has to stop. Now is the time to commit politically and financially to a strong, safe, and efficient passenger rail system." ::Streetsblog
He showed up yesterday at Wilmington Station to say goodbye, saying: "I've been coming in here every single day for the last 35 years, and these guys have become my family." ::Delaware Online
TreeHugger on Amtrak:
CBS: Forget Flying, Amtrak is In
Taking the Train to New York: The Only Way to Fly
CBS: Forget Flying, Amtrak is In
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- How to Go Green: Public Transportation
- Watch the World's Smallest Working Train in Action
- Sites We Love: Green Daily
- Nick Clooney On Growing Up in Appalachia
- Ed Begley, Jr., on Denim Recycling, Solar Cars, and More
- Sites We Love: Grist, A Becaon in the Smog
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