This page was last updated on July 31, 2004.

Mr. Robbins is Director of Communications for U.S. Senator Arlen Specter.  His letter was in response to a letter by Eugene Atkinson.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“A recently published letter to the editor questioned U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter’s efforts to bring a high-speed magnetic-levitation (maglev) train system to Pennsylvania.

“In fact, Sen. Specter has taken the lead in bringing maglev to the commonwealth, helping to secure more federal funding for Pennsylvania’s maglev system than any other state has allocated.

“Through his efforts as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s transportation subcommittee, he has secured $19.65 million for maglev, to be used for environmental and engineering/preconstruction activities on the 54-mile Pittsburgh airport-Downtown-Greensburg segment.

“Due to the senator’s efforts, Pennsylvania remains the leading contender in the $950 million national competition for maglev funding.”

[RWC] Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) voted Arlen Specter “Porker of the Month” for October 2003 and “Porker of the Year” for 2003.¹  As a result, it should come as no surprise that Mr. Specter would support the boondoggle known as maglev.

Assuming the cost for the Pittsburgh airport to Greensburg is ratable, the cost for the entire system would cost nearly $22 billion.  Where is the money coming from?

“When finished, the maglev line will travel at speeds of approximately 300 mph from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, with an estimated trip time of 2 hours, 7 minutes.  The train will make stops in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Altoona, Johnstown and Greensburg.”

[RWC] Note that Mr. Robbins never claims the maglev line would be economically and time competitive with airline travel without massive taxpayer subsidies.

“Such a system will greatly improve travel within the commonwealth, provide tremendous economic opportunities and create manufacturing jobs for Pennsylvania residents.”

[RWC] Exactly how would a money-losing maglev line between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia help travel in northern Pennsylvania?  Can Mr. Robbins provide verifiable proof of his claims of “tremendous economic opportunities and manufacturing jobs for Pennsylvania residents?”  Don’t hold your breath waiting for the proof.

“Sen. Specter has made maglev a priority for the commonwealth and continues to press to bring this 21st century transportation marvel to Pennsylvania at the earliest possible date.”

 [RWC] Once again, Mr. Specter is a champion of wasteful spending.  His lifetime CAGW rating is only 51%, where 100% is best.

1. Senator Arlen Specter is Porker of the Year for 2003; Citizens Against Government Waste; February 5, 2004.

2. Congressional Ratings - 108th Congress (1st Session); Citizens Against Government Waste; 2003.

© 2004 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.