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It's too early to characterize it as good news -- but it definitely is hopeful -- that another study is being launched regarding additional passenger rail service between Altoona and Pittsburgh.
Unfortunately, the proposal is not without a window for second-guessing.
First, it must be acknowledged that passenger rail service west and east through here cannot reach its full usage potential without service that meets the needs of potential riders. One train west and one train east between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg each day amounts to an anemic commitment to rider needs.
Potential riders are being cheated by the current lack of reasonable accommodation of their travel needs -- especially business travelers needing efficient transportation to Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and, beyond that, Philadelphia and other points.
Not only would business travelers have time to work while on trains, that mode of travel would free them from congested city and rush-hour traffic, high parking fees, expensive gasoline costs, wear-and-tear on their personal or company vehicles and personal fatigue.
Train travel can be a win-win but only if it's convenient and efficient, which it currently is not.
It is hopeful news that an avenue is being established for possibly expanding the now-anemic Amtrak service with which Altoona, Johnstown and points west and east have been living.
According to a Sept. 22 Mirror article, the PennDOT has hired a consultant to review previous expanded-rail-service studies, gather data on past and potential ridership and freight activities and to make determinations of what trackside improvements might be necessary to accommodate more train traffic on the right-of-way owned by freight carrier Norfolk Southern.
The new study also will focus on train-speed limitations and how those could be overcome.
The Sept. 22 article made clear that there is no intention to propose building another right-of-way for passenger trains, which would be too costly and probably involve decades of planning and work, although this city "built" by the railroad industry never should completely give up hope that high-speed rail might someday be possible.
As the Wall Street Journal reported on Sept. 18, a Florida company has agreed to acquire the operator of a planned high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas, Nev., and Southern California, in a deal that it's hoped will breathe new life into that long-delayed project.
Unlike past studies involving Pennsylvania passenger-rail service, the new study, which is expected to be completed next spring, will focus only on the potential for additional trips between Pittsburgh and Altoona, not Harrisburg.
According to a PennDOT spokesman, the agency believes it's better this time to take an "incremental" approach to adding service.
While that's a somewhat reasonable argument, the study plan is nonetheless shortsighted, because to unlock the full passenger-demand potential that's possible, passengers need additional access to points east to Philadelphia, where they will have the option to continue on to points such as New York City.
For now, the proposed study should be regarded as just an important beginning.
Because of that, whatever pessimism currently exists should be put on hold.