FRA FAQ on HSR

Could not help myself. Here is the link.

Filed under: United States High Speed Rail

Idaho anticipates Amtrak Pioneer report

The Idaho Statesman has a decent story concerning the much anticipated report on restoring the Pioneer service. This one is a lot more politically sensitive than the situation of the Sunset. In Idaho, people need reliable transportation year-round and care about Amtrak. Get this.

The city has owned the Boise Depot since 1996 and has reserved space in it for Amtrak.

The city owns about 18 miles of track to the east of Boise, a line that branches off from the main line that the Pioneer would use.

That line, which was set to be abandoned by Union Pacific before the city bought it in 2000, was purchased so the Pioneer would have a way to come into Downtown Boise if Amtrak ever restored the route.

What city along the Sunset route is prepared to make any contribution to restored Amtrak service? Mobile? Would they put up actual money?

No, life is not fair.

Filed under: Amtrak

Recession drags Amtrak ridership

The trend continues throughout the transportation sector and Amtrak is no excluded, according to this report in the Washington Post. Highlights: Acela hard hit, long distance trains less so.

The total number of passengers fell 8.4 percent to 2.5 million from a year earlier, according to Amtrak. Ridership on short-distance routes dropped 9.6 percent. Long-distance ridership retreated in July for the third straight month, dropping 4.9 percent.

Filed under: Amtrak