Passenger Travel in uncertain times.(EDITORIAL)

These are definitely interesting times for passenger travel. Fuel prices have headed up again, the economy continues to languish, and the word "stay-cation" has been added to our lexicon. Travel, in this context, is a very broad term encompassing not only commercial carriers and personal transport, but also lodging, food service, and recreational venues, all of which are presently suffering. Still, there is hope in all the doom and gloom.

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Though gas has steadily increased in price throughout the spring, it's still nowhere near what it was this time last year. We are a fickle bunch, aren't we? As soon as the price per gallon began falling last year, sales of fuel efficient vehicles dropped and those of SUVs headed back up. Of course, one can now purchase a hybrid full-size SUV, which seems like something of an oxymoron to me, but there you have it. The bright spot with respect to highway travel is the federal stimulus money being directed to various roadway infrastructure projects. I've expressed my concerns about our deteriorating infrastructure in this space before, so I'm thrilled that the government is at least making a start at dealing with this monumental problem. Long term, we can only be better off for this effort, which is way overdue in my opinion.

Air travel is still a bit of a mixed bag. As the poor economy has negatively affected the demand for airline services, carriers have reduced the number of flights they offer while simultaneously trying to raise fares and charge for previously free services. These actions invariably are reflected in more crowded airplanes, higher fares, and unhappy passengers. That said, there are still deals to be had, and some fares have actually fallen. Unfortunately, service issues continue to plague many airlines. As the demand for high-fare First and Business Class seats has dropped, some carriers are pulling out those seats and jamming in more rows in Economy. In some cases, these changes result in even less pitch and legroom than passengers had in the past.

I admit to being most excited about the renewed interest in, and funding for, rail passenger service. Though I am not so naive as to think we'll have a truly viable high-speed rail system in the United States anytime soon, I am encouraged by the fact that the government recognizes the importance of revitalizing rail as a viable and attractive form of passenger transport. Indeed, while a European or Japanese style high-speed rail network may not be possible, certainly a higher-speed system than we have now is. I will follow the progress in this area with great interest.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, people are simply not traveling as much as they used to, a situation that impacts not only the transportation providers but all of the car-rental firms, lodging companies, dining establishments, and recreational venues as well. But we've been through these times before, and we'll weather this storm as well. The reality is that many people are still traveling, be it for work or pleasure, and as things begin to turn around, so we will all be back at it with a vengeance. We are a nation made of up folks who both need and want to travel. My hope is that America comes out of this recession with a stronger transportation system better able to support the travel needs of individuals and businesses alike as we all recover from one of the most trying economic periods in our nation's history.

Who Said That ...

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries."

ANSWER

Aldous Huxley

Dr. Kent N. Gourdin, Editor DTJ

Director, Global Logistics and Transportation Program College of Charleston

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