Energy conservation has been on the mind of most people lately, and intercity passenger rail is proving to be energy efficient. Statistics from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory show that Amtrak is 1.6 times more energy efficient than domestic airlines when measuring BTUs per passenger mile. Ross Capon, executive director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, notes the following benefits of rail:

• Short distance rail corridor services are more energy efficient than Amtrak as a whole.

• Rail passengers are more likely than plane travelers to reach their "line haul" conveyance by public transportation.

• Rail stations are more likely to be located in and enhance the viability of energy-efficient downtown areas.