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Screw the NEC, look to the Pacific Northwest for progressive rails October 30, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in Amtrak, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
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It seems like whenever anyone from the mainstream press talks about Amtrak, they bring up the Northeast Corridor as a ray of light for our favorite troubled railroad. “The density is right! (it’s always right when the station is in a city) It can fund itself! (debatable) It has high-speed rail! (even more debatable)”

Well, British national and Guardian writer Michael Tomasky is doing what Americans seem hesitant to do.. looking to our fellow citizens in the Northwest for an example of good rail road policy.

Now this is more like it. After days of airplane flights, I ditched the nightmare of security lines and uncomfortable seats for a lovely, state-underwritten, socialistic-type ride aboard the rails from Portland to Seattle.

East coasters will be stunned to learn, as I was, that a business-class seat for this trip — duration three-and-a-half hours — is…ready…$42! And that comes with a coupon that gives you $3 off any purchase in the cafe car.

How can they possibly make money on this? They don’t. They make their money on schmucks like me, riding between Boston and Washington. A business-class ticket from Boston to New York, a ride of similar duration, is north of $300 most days. I support Amtrak wholeheartedly, but I have to say I don’t mind taking advantage of the super-discount fare this once, since I have in essence subsidized my own trip a hundred times over down the years by using Amtrak exclusively on the east coast.

The Amtrak Cascades route is jointly funded by the states of Oregon and Washington as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. Is it socialism, as Tomaski suggests? Perhaps. But I find it hard to disapprove when government is able to transcend territorial and international borders in order to bring safe, convenient, and efficient transportation to its citizens.

Rail associations call on Congress to include transportation funds in economic stimulus package October 30, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
2 comments

This report comes through from Progressive Railroading. Included here is $250 million for intercity rail.

Yesterday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure, and House Ways and Means committees held a congressional hearing to review pending and delayed transportation projects that could be quickly expedited to boost the economy. Committee members are considering whether to add a transportation element to a second economic stimulus bill. 

Investing in transportation infrastructure projects would be a double bonus, transportation officials say. Not only would it create new jobs (35,000 for every $1 billion of federal investment), but an infusion of federal dollars also would foster new and improved infrastructure to meet the rapidly growing demand for transportation services. 

Several transportation groups weighed in on the hearing, including the American Public Transportation Association, which has identified 559 ready-to-go public transit projects from 170 transit agencies. Worth a total of $8 billion, the projects could start within 90 days after federal funds are made available. 

Meanwhile, the States for Passenger Rail Coalition called on Congress to set aside $250 million in an economic stimulus bill for intercity passenger-rail improvement projects. 

In addition, the Railroad Cooperation and Education Trust, in partnership with the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, proposed the economic stimulus package include $100 million in general funds over a two-year period for transit, short line and regional railroads to complete projects that could begin within 180 days and be “substantially completed” in 2009. 

Texans voice support for High Speed Rail October 29, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, United States High Speed Rail.
4 comments

OK. Logan and I have both been negligent. That means you will all get refunds of your subscriptions. Furthermore, as a sign of good will and a peace offering, here is a news item from Marshall, Texas concerning HSR in the Texas region. This one is full of details you will find fascinating.

Linda Young – AHN Editor

Marshall, TX (AHN) – Even commissioners in a small northeastern Texas county along the Louisiana border have hopped on the bandwagon of commuters and business people being able to shed their cars to get around Texas – and eventually travel to other states – as quickly as they could drive there or faster.

Harrison County Commissioners on Tuesday voted to approve a resolution supporting a bill passed by the state legislature in 2007 to develop a statewide rail transit system.

That statewide system calls for building a double-track system now under way. The system will have passenger rails running parallel to the existing tracks for freight lines, and trains would be switched between the two.

“They’re starting in San Antonio and moving toward Austin,” Bexar County Judge Richard Anderson was quoted as saying by the Marshall News Messenger.

It was Anderson who pushed the Harrison County Commission to pass the resolution.

He would like to see tracks for moving high speed passenger rail cars link Harrison County to the rest of Texas. Then he would like to see the system expanded to link Texas to Louisiana, Arkansas and Tennessee, according to the Marshall News Messenger.

Texas Rail Advocates, an organization supporting high speed trains in Texas says that travel on such a train traveling at 90- to 110-miles per hour between downtown Houston and downtown Dallas would take three hours less than flying there would, according to a statement on the organization’s website.

Texas Rail Advocates puts into perspective some of the benefits of building a high speed passenger rail system.

  • You can relax instead of worrying about traffic around you, accidents and construction zones
  • You can use a cell phone all the way
  • You can work on your laptop when you choose
  • You can get food and refreshments on board
  • You can read a book or sleep
  • You are using a fuel efficient form of transportation
  • You don’t have to take off your shoes at a TSA security checkpoint

Here is a sampling of travel times for between a few other select cities.

  • Fort Worth to Austin – 187 miles – 3 hours by car (average 60 miles per hour) – way under 3 hours by train (average 85 miles per hour);
  • Austin to San Antonio – 79 miles – 1 1/2 hours by car (if you could average 60 miles per hour in this congested corridor) – a little over an hour by train that averaged 80 mph with an intermediate stop; and
  • Dallas to Longview – 125 miles – about 2 hours by car and under 2 hours by train.

At a time when high gasoline prices coupled with concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and global warming have more Americans seeking ways to get from one place to another without driving alone in a car, those kinds of travel times times make sense.

Maryland commuter train cuts highlight irony of transit funding October 27, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in Regional USA Passenger Rail.
2 comments

The Baltimore Sun reported today that the Maryland Transit Administration would be cutting evening commuter trains from Washington DC to Baltimore. The popular routes are not being cut due to lack of use, but rather because diminishing gas tax revenues are affecting funds for transit just as much as for roads.

As big a blow as the state’s overall budget has taken from the ailing economy, the transportation segment is getting hit even harder. That’s because transit and road projects are financed largely by an automobile economy that’s gotten doubly walloped by the recession and credit crisis.

Taxes on gasoline and car sales, titling and registration fees, all have taken it on the chin because people aren’t buying cars and they’re driving less. More than $1 billion in upgrades have been slashed from the six-year transportation capital projects plan, and now operating funds are coming under the knife, too.

Amtrak, with its federal congressional appropriations, is insulated from this sort of crisis (at least as insulated as a company living hand-to-mouth can be), but commuter rail services such as the one mentioned are just as vulnerable as intracity transit. The great irony is that the more people get out of their cars and switch to mass transit, the less money there is for these services. Even our public transportation is dependent on the automobile! Hopefully the next administration/congress will take a serious look at how we’re financing our transit systems, which are becoming increasingly important in this energy climate.

Amtrak offers national rail pass October 20, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
3 comments

Perhaps some very smart reader can recall the history on this, but there was some sort of national plan back in the 70’s or 80’s, right?

Well, I am a bit mystified why, with rising passenger loads, this is being offered now, but here is the latest news. Your reactions welcomed, of course.

Amtrak offers USA Rail Pass to US Residents 

 Monday Oct 20, 12:48 pm ET
WASHINGTON – Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is now available for purchase in the U.S.
Until recently, the pass could only be bought by travelers who lived outside the country.
The passes are available for 15, 30 and 45 days of travel. The 15-day pass offers eight segments of travel for $389. The 30-day pass offers 12 segments of travel for $579. The 45-day pass offers 18 segments of travel for $749.
Amtrak counts a segment of travel each time a passenger boards a train or connecting Amtrak Thruway bus.
The passes are priced the same regardless of when you travel, but you must begin your travel within 180 days of purchase.
Also note that the pass is not a ticket. Passengers must also have a ticket and reservation for each train they board.
If your travels are likely to take you to multiple points in California, you might be better off with Amtrak’s California Rail Pass, which offers seven days of travel in a 21-day period for $159.
The USA Rail Pass is not valid for travel on Amtrak’s Auto Train or Acela Express. Some other restrictions apply. Details at 800-872-7245 or http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/selectpass/ for more information.

 

FRA will assist Maglev studies October 20, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Uncategorized.
5 comments

I will be moving a few items to the front page today. Thanks for your input. The local and regional stories are appreciated.

Beginning October 20, 2008, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will accept applications from states or state designated authorities for $45 million in grant funding for proposed magnetic levitation (maglev) projects located east of the Mississippi River. The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 limits the eligible projects to those in or between: Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington, and Atlanta-Chattanooga. FRA may award one or more grants which can be used for preconstruction planning activities and the capital costs of the fixed guideway infrastructure.

Internet article is at this link.

For your convenience I have attached the PDF version of the Federal Register “Notice of Funding Availability” which is referenced in the FRA press release.  It can be found at this link.

This money was called out originally in the summer of 2005 when the SAFETEA-LU bill was enacted, but has just become available now.  Needless to say this is a boost for the current high-speed maglev projects around the USA.

Midwest HSR plan, Southeastern Corridor also looking to benefit from new fed legislation October 18, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail.
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Pat posted yesterday about Ohio officials seeing opportunity in the matching funds and incentives included in the recently passed Amtrak reauthorization/rail safety bill.

Seems like other regional rail advocates are paying attention too. Those close to the Midwest HSR project indicated that the Twin Cities – Chicago line (a route close to my heart), will likely see high-speed upgrades in the coming few years.

High-speed rail service between Chicago and the Twin Cities could begin within five years, U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., said this week. Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, led House efforts to get the legislation passed.

Randy Wade, passenger rail manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said he hopes Wisconsin can obtain federal funds next year for improvements necessary for high-speed rail service between Milwaukee and Madison. “Now we’ve got a funding program,” he said of the new federal legislation.

High-speed service between Milwaukee and Madison could be at least three years away, once federal funds are obtained, Wade said. And high-speed service between Madison and the Twin Cities could begin a couple years after that first leg is completed, he said. Six daily round trips are planned.

Similarly, North Carolina officials are looking to upgrade tracks from Charlotte to Washington DC. They call these improvements “high-speed” but they don’t seem to approach the 110mph standard that tends to be the federal standards these days. The times indicated in the article would make this segment of the “Southeastern Corridor” much more competitive with automobile travel, at least.

The state wants to double-track the rail corridor between Charlotte and Greensboro. That would allow for more frequent service, and for trains to run about 10 mph faster than their top speed today, which is 79 mph. It also would have to install double track between Richmond and Washington, D.C., and it would have to build a connector between Raleigh and Richmond. (Train service today meanders from Raleigh through Rocky Mount and Wilson en route to the nation’s capitol).

Patrick Simmons, director of the N.C. DOT Rail Division, said a trip between Charlotte and Raleigh would take 2 hours and 50 minutes with the improvements. A trip to Washington D.C. would be 6 hours and 10 minutes.

Baby steps, right?

Amtrak believes in a place called Hope, Arkansas October 17, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
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Henley: Amtrak stop looks positive

By STEPHANIE HARRIS-SMITH
Published: Friday, October 17, 2008 1:38 PM CDT
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Hope Star Writer

Hope may soon be part of the Amtrak Texas Eagle’s record breaking growth among long distance trains for fiscal 2008.

Plans to have the Amtrak make a stop in Hope are still in the works and all is positive, according to Hope Parks and Tourism Secretary Paul Henley.

 

The Texas Eagle route connects Chicago and San Antonio, making stops across Arkansas and would also be the train to pick up Hope travelers. It experienced the fastest growth among long-distance trains by up to 15.2 percent, according to the National Railroad Passenger Corp. The train carries a total of 251,518 passengers, according to Henley.

Henley informed the Parks and Tourism commission earlier this week of the details on a recent Amtrak meeting he attended in New Orleans.

“I was able to talk directly to the right person with Union Pacific, and Union Pacific is who will ultimately make the decision on our Amtrak stop because they own the property. He directed me to get the plans and the specifications,” Henley said.

 

The response was very positive according to Henley, so positive in fact, that Henley was able to go ahead with ordering Amtrak signage for the area.

“The number one intent is to have the tourists that go by on the train to actually get off in Hope and see the Clinton attractions and other things they may have interest in. That was our number one goal, but the other effect, of providing additional means of transportation for our local folks, is even more important,” Henley said.

Henley said he has seen a huge display of interest among the citizens of Hope.

 

“Since we got the information out that there was interest in having Amtrak stop in Hope, I have had more people express excitement that we are going to have a stop, because of what it is going to mean to their families. Many of them are older people who can’t drive anymore and they want to see their kids,” he said.

He said they can get on the train in Hope and go to Little Rock or Dallas, or their parents can get on in Dallas and come to Hope,” he said.

Henley said it is an exciting time to be in the midst of plans with Amtrak due to the high cost of other means of travel. Henley said his sister recently made the trip from Texarkana to Dallas for $26.

 

Plans for a loading platform have been completed. The platform is 612 feet long and would go from Elm Street to Walnut Street, according to Henley.

“We have showed those plans to the tourism commission yesterday and we will, in turn forward, those plans to Amtrak and they will in turn forward them to Union Pacific,” Henley said.

Henley said he was surprised to find out at the meeting that a loading platform had been in place at one time and taken up when Union Pacific purchased the track from Missouri Pacific.

 

“We would just be replacing one that was there before,” he added.

Henley said the downside to Amtrak travel is the fact that they are not known to be on schedule due to the fact that freight trains have priority over passenger trains.

“The key is to know that on the front end, but you will get there and it will cost you a lot less than going by car or other ways. Most folks interested are not in a hurry, they will just be visiting someone. They are not going for a business trip,” he said.

 

Henley said once Amtrak approves the loading platform plans, construction time should be relatively short.

More Ohio developments October 17, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail.
1 comment so far

I have been falling behind lately. Here is an item I should have moved to the front a few weeks ago. Please keep your regional news items coming.

Ohio Can Benefit From Just-Passed Rail Bill

HR-2095 Boosts Both Rail Safety & Passenger Rail

Passage of a major rail safety and passenger rail bill is a very important and positive first-step toward moving people and freight in Ohio better, faster and safer.  HR-2095, a comprehensive railroad safety and passenger rail bill was passed by a veto-proof 74-24 margin in the U.S. Senate last week and awaits President George W. Bush’s signature. 

“At a time when Ohioans most need relief from high gas prices, the passage of this bill has the potential to create critically-needed transportation options for individuals and business in Ohio”, says Governor Ted Strickland.“ Further developing passenger rail can help Ohio families save money while at the same time addressing crucial issues such as climate change and the need to reduce our dependence on oil.”

Ohio Rail Development Commission Executive Director Matt Dietrich calls the bill “a major boost for rail safety and the advancement of passenger rail and right in line with the collaborative efforts of both ORDC and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to better balance Ohio’s transportation system.” 

The ORDC is currently working on two passenger rail initiatives:

• The Ohio Hub:  the State of Ohio’s long-range, high-performance passenger rail plan that calls for 110 mph trains in seven corridors. The plan carries a potential economic impact of over $17-billion dollars to Ohio and the region, as well as the creation of over 16,700 new jobs when fully implemented.

• Amtrak 3-C Corridor: ORDC is also working with Amtrak on Governor Strickland’s request to explore establishing conventional passenger rail service in the Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati corridor. Amtrak’s planning staff is preparing to survey the corridor and develop a ridership and revenue report.

Provisions of HR-2095

The bill provides $13.1-billion over five-years for Amtrak and development of high-performance passenger rail corridors by the states. It marks the first time Amtrak has been funded on a multi-year basis in its 37 year history. This can allow Amtrak to plan for new and better services. Ohio is currently served by three Amtrak long-distance routes.

Included in the $13.1-billion authorization is a first-ever, $1.9-billion federal matching grant program for states to develop innovative new services, increase capacity on heavily used rail lines, and attract new riders. ORDC’s Ohio Hub Plan would be an eligible project under this program.  Under the program, the state would have to match an 80-percent federal funding with 20-percent of state and local dollars.

Other passenger rail provisions include:

• High-Speed Rail Corridors:  Grants are provided to plan and develop 11 federally-designated high-speed rail corridors. The Federal Railroad Administration has previously designated the 3-C Corridor as well as the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland and Chicago-Cincinnati corridors as future high-speed rail corridors. Also included is an extension of Pennsylvania’s “Keystone Corridor” from Pittsburgh to Cleveland.

• On-Time Performance: DOT and the Surface Transportation Board (STB) must investigate Amtrak delays and determine if they are the fault of the host railroad. If so, host rail carrier may be ordered to pay Amtrak monetary damages.

HR-2095 would also require installation of positive train control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2015, on all main-line tracks where intercity passenger and commuter railroads operate, and where toxic-by-inhalation hazmat is transported.  This provision follows the recent, tragic and fatal collision of a commuter and freight train in California.  PTC would automatically stop trains from entering on to a track with another on-coming train. 

Quick Ohio Rail Facts:

Ohio ranks 5th in total railroad miles (5,275 miles) in the United States and is served by 36 railroads including three Class-1 carriers.  In 2006, almost 67-million tons of rail freight originated in Ohio and over 100-million tons of rail freight terminated here.

Amtrak serves Ohio with three long-distance trains:

• The Capitol Limited (daily Chicago-Cleveland-Pittsburgh-Washington, D.C.)

• The Cardinal (tri-weekly Chicago-Cincinnati-Washington, D.C.-New York)

• The Lake Shore Limited (daily Chicago-Cleveland-Buffalo-Boston/New York)

In 2007, over 110-thousand boardings and alightings were made at Ohio Amtrak stops.

The last train to serve Columbus was Amtrak’s National Limited on October 1, 1979.

(The Ohio Rail Development Commission is an independent agency operating within the Ohio Department of Transportation.  ORDC is responsible for economic development through the improvement and expansion of passenger and freight rail services and railroad grade crossing safety. For more information about what ORDC does for Ohio, visit our website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail/)

 

City of New Orleans service restored (under budget) to Memphis Central Station October 17, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
1 comment so far

OWNTOWN MEMPHIS 
Amtrak’s City of New Orleans train service will return to Memphis Central Station at 6a.m. today with the scheduled arrival of the southbound train. In April, a sinkhole that spread to within a foot of the train track forced Amtrak to t bus passengers to temporary boarding locations. Repairs were delayed much of the summer while the city, Canadian National Railroad, which owns the tracks, Amtrak and Sprint Nextel worked out liability and cost issues. 
The project, first estimated at $1 million, ended up costing $750,000. The city will pay about $345,000 and the railroad will pay the rest, said Pete Aviotti Jr., special assistant to Mayor Willie Herenton. 
– From staff reports 
Memphis Commercial Appeal 10/17/08

Bush OKs $13B for Amtrak upgrades October 17, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
1 comment so far

Generally, this is good news. It is interesting, however, that old lies live on. The northeast corridor is not by any means covering operational expenses. Scroll down and observe the ridership and revenue growth on the long haul routes. 

Friday, October 17, 2008
BY HERB JACKSON
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT  

 

President Bush reversed his seven-year opposition to a nationally subsidized railroad Thursday and signed a bill authorizing more than $2.6 billion a year over five years to upgrade and expand Amtrak.
The law requires that Amtrak upgrade the Washington-to-Boston Northeast Corridor, which crosses New Jersey from Trenton to North Bergen, to a “state of good repair.” That means replacing or upgrading aging tracks, switches, signals and even bridges that frequently cause delays on the corridor, which NJ Transit uses to carry roughly 100,000 commuters daily.
Without comment, Bush bowed to broad bipartisan support for a bill sponsored by Sen. Frank Lautenberg that combined Amtrak funding with new railroad safety standards.
“New Jersey commuters depend on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor every day, and this law will make sure our trains run more smoothly and reliably,” said Lautenberg, D-N.J., the chairman of the Senate’s surface transportation subcommittee.
The law also includes a provision sought by Lautenberg and others requiring trash-handling facilities run by railroads to comply with state fire safety, air pollution and water pollution regulations.
T he issue became a federal case in the Meadowlands in recent years. New Jersey had tried to punish railroads that did not seek state permits before opening transfer stations in North Bergen that were accepting truckloads of garbage and construction debris for loading onto railcars.
Operators appealed and won a court ruling that said only the federal Surface Transportation Board, not state regulators, can control such operations.
New safety standards include limits on hours worked by signal workers and train crews and mandatory controls to automatically stop trains carrying passengers or hazardous materials if something happens to the engineer. The law requires Amtrak to build partnerships with states to establish rail service between major cities, but advocates were unsure if that would mean new routes in New Jersey.
The last long-term federal commitment to Amtrak was signed by President Clinton and expired in 2002, requiring the railroad to wait for Congress’ annual appropriations each year to know how much money it could spend.
“After a decade of starvation diets by the Bush administration and inaction of the Republican-controlled Congress, we stand together to rebuild Amtrak and provide the necessary resources to construct a network of high-speed rail corridors across America,” said Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House transportation committee.
The Northeast Corridor covers its operating expenses and has gained riders, but critics have said the law does not do enough to force Amtrak to drop money-losing long-distance lines in the South and West.
E-mail: jackson@northjersey.com

 

From the United Transportation Union…

Progressive transport policies in action: Texarkana ticket office may close UPDATE: and good news too! October 16, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
4 comments

This is no small station either. This a town without much air service and a need for reliable scheduled intercity service. Here is the lead and a link. 

An Amtrak station in Texarkana that’s been in the area for over 20 years may shut down for good.

Arkansas State Representative Steve Herrelson says the sole employee of the Texarkana Amtrak station will be retiring later this month, and Amtrak has not made any plans to replace the employee.

However, negotiations have been going on between Harrelson and Amtrak officials to consider leaving that position open.

Two notes.

Steve Harrelson is an outstanding legislator and deserves a lot of credit for his consciousness of balanced transportation policy. 

Also, we know this blog is read around the world. Please forward local Amtrak news items to me or Logan. We want TFA to be a one-stop clearing house for rail passenger information.

UPDATE: Our friend, State Rep. Steve Harrellson, sends news that the station will continue with one full-time and one part-time employee. Here is a link to the local paper’s story.

PBS show about sprawl features California High-Speed Rail, interviews “expert” October 12, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in United States High Speed Rail.
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PBS’s “Now” program is doing a series on America’s infrastructure, and last Friday they kicked it off with a piece about America’s transportation woes. It’s a short and sweet piece that ties together long automobile commutes, lagging funding for public transit, high gasoline prices, and our current financial and housing turmoil.

In relation to HSR, they highlight Obama’s support for HSR and McCain’s dismissal of anything that doesn’t have rubber tires. They bring up California’s promising vote this November, although they follow it up with an interview with James Elliot Moore, who informs us that in his professional opinion, the bonds for CAHSR would be better spent on airport infrastructure upgrades. Clearly, this is a man with his finger to the pulse of fuel prices, climate change, and land use. He then informs us that city buses should be privatized too. Because, you know, that worked out so well for the British in the 80’s. One might also look at his University of Southern California faculty profile and see that at least half of the publications listed have to do with freeways and none of them relate to rail transportation or mass transit. Was this guy really the best pick?

This gripe aside, I’d encourage you all to give the video a watch. It’s only about 25 minutes long, and it’s a well done piece.

Southern region HSR summit October 12, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail.
3 comments

Ida Brown in the Meridian Star files this.

National and state leaders convened at downtown Meridian’s Union Station Friday to plot a strategy for high-speed rail.

A first for the Southern High-Speed Rail Commission, the summit’s intent was to look at and talk about proposals for bringing passenger rail to Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.

“Several lines are being proposed, but the most important thing is to get all the states’ governors and senators and the leaders of the city to really appreciate that investing in rail that would connect the cities will create a lot of jobs, stimulate reinvestment in all the cities where the train stops, and it will give people an affordable way to travel,” said Shelley Poticha of Reconnecting America, a national non-profit organization working to integrate transportation systems and the communities they serve.

Attendance included 97 people from the three states – representing their departments of transportation, elected officials, city planners, chambers of commerce and tourism officials – and the rail commissioners.

“Those assembled heard from the best minds in the nation on rail policy, rail development and transit-oriented development, which Union Station is an example of that,” said Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith.

Although planned for several months, Smith said the timing for the summit was ideal, referring to last week’s passage of the Amtrak Reauthorization and Rail Safety Bill by Congress. The bill more than doubled the funding authorization for Amtrak, authorizing more than $13 billion for passenger rail development.

To be eligible for funding, states must have a rail plan crafted by their federal, state and local officials.

“My purpose in recommending that the commission hold this summit was so that we in the South can be ready for those rail improvement dollars that will flow from the next Congress in the next administration,” Smith said.

Soaring fuel prices and the financial meltdown of recent weeks only accelerate the need for other modes of transportation that are more cost effective.

“Congress has now caught up with the American people in realizing that rail is that option,” he said.

The summit featured both national and local industry leaders and high-speed rail advocates, including Alex Kummant, Amtrak president and CEO; Mike Haverty, Kansas City Southern Railway chairman and CEO; Bill Bronte, chief, California Department of Transportation’s Rail Division; Michael Dukakis, former Massachusetts Governor and former Amtrak chairman; William Ankner, secretary, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development; Frank Busalacchi, chairman, Southern High-Speed Rail Commission and former chairman, Amtrak; and Karen Parsons, executive director of SHSRC.

“The Southern High-Speed Rail Commission is going to go back and put together a plan for how to really take this idea into reality, so they have a map that shows where they would like to improve the service to go faster,” Poticha said.

“This is really exciting; something like this puts Meridian and the Southern states right on the cutting edge,” she said. “It’s a very significant step.”

Antonio Perez, president and CEO of Talgo – a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles – and Nora C. Friend, director of the company’s business and development, agrees.

“The region’s realizing the importance of getting together and the speakers coming here shows the importance of this region for the rail and transportation,” Perez said.

“And the fact that Mayor Smith has been able to pull together the high profile speakers in attendance points to the fact that the region is seriously considering implementing a transportation mode that is very important – important not only for transportation itself, but also economic development.”

Amtrak national ridership increase includs Texas Eagle October 10, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
1 comment so far

Here is a regional angle on the new passenger figures from the Arkansas NARP head, Dr. Bill Pollard. He also chairs the TEMPO marketing group for the Eagle.

Earlier today, Amtrak issued a press release which details ridership for the fiscal year concluding on September 30, 2008.

The national ridership across the system for FY-2008 was almost 29 million passengers.  This was the LARGEST number of passengers carried in one fiscal year since Amtrak began operating in 1971.  Amtrak’s press release highlights the Texas Eagle as achieving a 15.2% ridership increase (compared to FY-2007).  This increase was the largest percentage increase of ANY national network train.  The Texas Eagle revenue increase for the fiscal year was 18.8% — surpassed only by the Cardinal route, which achieved 19.0% revenue increase.

Many factors have helped contribute to the Texas Eagle’s strong showing, perhaps the most important being a core group of dedicated employees (both management and union) who are determined to see this route succeed, despite often overwhelming odds.  The determination of those employees is bolstered by the political and promotional efforts of TEMPO, ETCC, and other groups, all of whom fully expect to see not only a continuation, but an expansion of rail passenger service along the route of the Texas Eagle.

The Texas Eagle still faces many challenges, but there is no question that progress is gradually being made.  As we continue to address remaining challenges, step back for a moment, reflect on this milestone, and know that you are an important part of this success.  Thank you for your unwavering support of the Texas Eagle, and for your commitment to a modern, efficient rail passenger network for the future.

 

Bill Pollard, chair

Texas Eagle Marketing & Performance Organization (TEMPO)

Amtrak bill opens door for bikes on trains October 8, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in Amtrak.
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Via New York’s Streetsblog comes the observation that Amtrak’s new reauthorization bill allows its federal budget to be spent on making trains accessible for bicycles. From Streetsblog writer Ben Fried:

Queens Congressman Anthony Weiner got the language into the bill after prompting from Transportation Alternatives. President Bush has not yet signed it into law, but according to the Times, the White House has signaled that he will.

“In the past, Amtrak has claimed that because the funding bill did not explicitly say that the money may be spent on bikes that they couldn’t make trains bike-accessible,” says T.A.’s Noah Budnick. “Now it should be clear to the most bureaucratic bureaucrat: Federal money for Amtrak can be spent on bike-accessibility.”

The bill does not mandate bike-accessibility, so riders will have to contact Amtrak to put it on its agenda.

This makes perfect sense when you thinking about Amtrak and intercity rail’s role in a cleaner environment. If someone can bike (possibly with the help of public transit) to the train station in New York, it makes sense that they should be able to take their bike with them and use it to get to their final destination when they arrive in Washington DC. Plus, wouldn’t some of those stops on the long distance routes be a great place to have a bike to explore with?

Congress passes Amtrak reauthorization bill, Bush will actually sign it October 3, 2008

Posted by Logan Nash in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics.
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It’s funny, after months of languishing in legislative hell, the Amtrak reauthorization bill has blasted its way through Capitol Hill in a matter of weeks. It’s not the nicest thought, but it probably has a lot to do with the LA Metrolink crash and the new safety measures tied into the bill.

Perhaps the extra bit of irony here is that President Bush, an avowed enemy of a reasonable budget for Amtrak, is now planning on signing the bill, according to the New York Times. It must be a sign of the times (no pun intended). With high gas prices and declining automobile usage, the Bush administration is perhaps realizing the virtues of passenger rail in its twilight hours. Or maybe they just don’t want to make the public any more disillusioned with them than they already are. The past eight years were basically treated as a swear word in last night’s Vice Presidential debate (on that note, no mention of Amtrak last night.. oh well).

Unfortunately, Amtrak’s not out of the woods yet (is it ever?). The company and the NARP are going to have to go hunting for where these funds are coming from in Congress. But still, this is significant progress for Amtrak. Let’s hope we don’t lose the momentum with important votes about transit and rail coming up this November (CAHSR by itself is enough to get excited about).

Little Rock – Memphis corridor advanced October 2, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail.
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My pal Max Brantley and I had some fun over an important transportation development. This ran on the Arkansas Times Blog and you ought to surf over and read the comments. Of course, as one of the resident “rail heads” I took the bait.

Route of the Rockets

U.S. Rep. Marion Berry says he’s added to continuing authorization of Amtrak a provision requiring a feasibility study of a high-speed rail corridor from Little Rock to Memphis. (Would that be the old Rock Island route, hence my reference to the Rockets?)

Berry says high-speed rail would help the national transportation system and economic development and give people a way to cope with high fuel costs and highway congestion.

This corridor would be an extension of a previously designated corridor from San Antonio to Dallas and then branches to Tulsa and Little Rock.

I love trains. And no offense to the congressman. But the population density between Little Rock and Memphis seems lacking for rail service on the current U.S. model. I’m sure railheads out there will correct the record.

First, kill all the railfans. LA Times column questions role of teen hobbyists in Metrolink crash October 1, 2008

Posted by patlynch in Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail.
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Before somebody notifies Homeland Security, the headline is a play on a line from Shakespeare. 

Scott Gold has a column in the Los Angeles Times which deals with the great national menace of rail hobbyists. Now, I do not chase trains, but I will admit that when I am taking pictures of trains I lose 30 IQ points. Some railfans are nuts and some railroads are nuts in their persecution of employees who might lean toward that behavior.

It’s mostly harmless, but Gold describes it as a culture unparalleled except, perhaps, by al Queda. Here is the link. Take a deep breath and we could open a  discussion thread. Leave a comment if you like. 

For myself, it is almost as if a bunch of teenage kids with an odd hobby is being held responsible for a terrible tragedy> How convenient an excuse to overlook the engineer’s probably state of exhaustion.

It is also a clever play to dismiss including rail options in serious discussions of transportation policy. Lord knows, all of Europe must be run by railfans. 

What say you?