April 27, 201114 yr http://www.fra.dot.gov/roa/press_releases/fp_FRA09-11.shtml U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $100 Million for California to Purchase American-Made Rail Cars and Locomotives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S.Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm News -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FRA 09-11 Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Contact: Brie N. Sachse Tel.: (202) 366-4570 U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will receive a $100 million grant to purchase domestically manufactured rail passenger cars and locomotives for the Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin corridors. Both the Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin lines experienced a surge in ridership over the last decade; the Pacific Surfliner service saw more than 65percent in ridership growth, and San Joaquin service experienced a 45 percent increase in ridership. This new equipment will accommodate the ridership growth with additional cars and locomotives available for improved service. “With gas prices at record highs, President Obama is committed to making sure Americans can choose safe, efficient passenger rail options for reaching their destinations,” said Secretary LaHood. “Thanks to this investment in new, American-made cars and locomotives, Californians will continue to enjoy the congestion relief, economic growth, and affordable travel provided by these popular rail lines.” This money will allow Caltrans to purchase 27 bi-level intercity rail passenger cars and two diesel-electric intercity locomotives that comply with uniform standards that create a level playing field allowing U.S.-based manufacturers to more effectively compete. Fostering healthy economic competition will drive down costs for rail owners and operators and the traveling public. Maintenance and repair costs will be lower because of reduced parts acquisition costs. Training can also be streamlined with just one type of equipment, allowing faster turnaround for repairs. “We are very pleased to fund this first order for rolling stock under the new Next Generation design standards,” said Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These standards benefit manufacturers and suppliers, the railroad industry and overall passenger safety, utilizing the best technology available.” To date, approximately $5.7 billion dollars has been obligated throughout the country for rail projects funded by the Recovery Act and annual appropriations. President Obama’s vision is to connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail within the next 25 years. This strategic investment is putting America on track towards that goal, providing an integrated passenger rail network with trains operating at all speeds and connecting to additional transit options, serving as a core component of our nation’s future transportation network. A “Buy America” requirement for high-speed intercity passenger rail projects also ensures that U.S. manufacturers and workers will receive the maximum economic benefits from this federal investment. And, in 2009, Secretary LaHood secured a commitment from 30 foreign and domestic rail manufacturers to employ American workers and locate or expand their base of operations in the U.S. if they are selected for high-speed-rail contracts. #### ..
May 5, 201114 yr AMTRAK SPRING-SUMMER TIMETABLE EFFECTIVE MAY 9 Celebrates 40th anniversary of America’s Railroad WASHINGTON – The Amtrak 2011 Spring-Summer System Timetable takes effect on May 9 and celebrates the 40th anniversary of America’s Railroadsm. The magazine-style booklet is now available in stations and can be ordered online at Amtrak.com. Most changes in the new timetable are minor or seasonal, but the publication reflects schedules issued since the Fall-Winter 2010 timetable, including changes to he Keystone Service and Empire Service. Another schedule change of note is a 30-minute earlier origination at Chicago for the eastbound Capitol Limited (Train 30) to Washington. “The new timetable is a great planning tool travelers can use to find the right Amtrak train to get them where they are going with comfort and ease so they can enjoy the journey,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. The 40th anniversary celebration is occurring during a period of long-term growth that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010 – and Amtrak is on track to set a new record this year. Boardman noted Amtrak has added capacity to some trains by returning to service newly restored and refurbished passenger rail cars using funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Still, given increased demand due in part to higher fuel prices for personal cars and trucks, Boardman said passenger demand for Amtrak service is increasingly resulting in sold-out conditions on some trains and Amtrak must increase the size of its railcar fleet. Amtrak 40th Anniversary Background The federal government created the National Railroad Passenger Corporation during a time when the private railroads were getting out the of the passenger rail business. In the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, national leaders decided that maintaining a “modern, efficient, intercity rail passenger service is a necessary part of a balanced transportation system.” Later adopting Amtrak as our name, the railroad’s national mission was most recently reaffirmed by Congress and the President in the Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act of 2008. While the 40th anniversary provides an opportunity to look back at each of the great transitions in the history of the railroad — the formation of the company in 1970-1971, the transfer of the Northeast Corridor to Amtrak in 1976, and the introduction of 150 mph (241 kph) high-speed Acela Express service in 2000 — Amtrak is committed to providing our country with the transportation choices it will need in the future. Amtrak is actively planning for next-generation 220-mph high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor, and is beginning to implement a fleet renewal program to provide new, modern and more reliable equipment for passengers and to meet anticipated future service expansion. Amtrak is offering several ways the public can join in on the celebration, including a special fare promotion and an anniversary website at Amtrak40th.com full of historical photographs and other materials, along with a book and a documentary DVD. In addition, the Amtrak Exhibit Train will be touring the country for a one year period after making its debut at the National Train Day event in Washington, D.C., on May 7. The free exhibit showcases Amtrak history over the decades, displaying memorabilia such as vintage advertising, past menus and dinnerware, and period uniforms. About Amtrak®: Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America’s Railroadsm, Amtrak is the nation’s intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeysm at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.
May 6, 201114 yr Author FYI... LaHood will announce awarding more of the $2 billion, originally granted to Florida, to Michigan and NY. Illinois was awarded $186 million of the Florida money earlier in the week. So Ohio is surrounded by passenger rail improvements.... MEDIA ADVISORY U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Make Major Announcement On Monday, May 9, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will hold press conferences in New York, NY and Detroit, MI to make a major announcement about high-speed intercity passenger rail. WHAT: Press conferences in New York, NY and Detroit, MI. WHEN: Monday, May 9, 2011 10:00 a.m. EST – New York, NY 2:30 p.m. EST – Detroit, MI WHO: U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood WHERE: Penn Station, 234 W. 31st Street (between 8th Ave and W. 31st/33rd Streets) Detroit Station, 11 West Baltimore Avenue For members of the media who cannot attend, Secretary LaHood will also hold a press conference call at 1:30 p.m. EST. Please email Caitlin Harvey at [email protected] to RSVP and receive the call-in information. ### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 7, 201114 yr Considering the growing public pro-passenger train sentiment and the expression of dissent with ant-train governors in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Florida even by some Republican legislators and mayors, the chances for real increased passenger train coverage keep growing. Because so much of the growth is promoted for the eastern and midwestern states, it focuses on Chicago's Union Station. I haven't read every post, so perhaps it's already been discussed here, but are there any plans for accomodating the trains and their passengers there? The waiting room capacity, though cramped, possibly would be adequate with more-frequent, smaller trains, but even at the current level if traffic, Union Station often chokes. The last time I arrived on the Lake Shore Limited, we arrived in Chicago 45 minutes late, missed our station time slot, and sat another full hour in the station throat waiting for access to a platform. The latest MHSRA newsletter spoke of plans for sixty daily round trips out of Chicago. The way it's configured now, I don't think Union Station could ever handle that level of traffic.
May 7, 201114 yr Author There are plans to redevelop Union Station's passenger waiting and ticketing areas, but I don't think there's much that can be done to expand the station's track capacity. Where would they put the extra tracks and platforms? Fill in the Chicago River? Midwest HSR Association has been pushing the Downtown Airport concept for expanding Union Station. So far this has been the only announced improvement..... http://www.midwesthsr.org/quinn-announces-amtrak-to-renovate-chicago-union-station Also, see: http://www.downtownairport.com/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 8, 201114 yr Thanks for those links, Ken. The comprehensive Downtown Airport concept includes some of what I had in mind, and takes it farther. I had thought, "Raze 222 South Riverside, build a modern overseas-style open, bright, and airy concourse at street level, and run elevated stub-end tracks to that level so they terminate on either side of the new concourse. Add some through tracks on the existing lower level (at present I think there's only one), and let the long sleeper trains use those. Provide escalator and elevator access to from the concourse to the lower-level platforms. Commuter trains and Amtrak day trains could be allocated between the two levels according to traffic demands and track availability. I hadn't taken into consideration the improved access to CTA trains and local/regional and intercity buses, or the bigger-picture approach to improving passenger train movement through the current freight-dominated infrastructure approaching the station. Connecting Ogilvie and Union Station would add a lot of flexibility. If I remember correctly what I read once, originally there were more tracks approaching the station throat but some were eliminated probably thirty years ago.
May 8, 201114 yr Author You mean this? :) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 8, 201114 yr Author Gas costs should pump support for train travel Sunday, May 08, 2011 By Brian O'Neill, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gasoline is back around four bucks a gallon, which is about as surprising as another drink in Charlie Sheen's hand. The only thing that knocked gasoline prices down was a worldwide recession, and nobody wanted that to last. So here we go again, looking at crazy, scary tabs at the pump. Some people chant that we can drill our way out of this, but we need to wake up and smell the chai tea. An industrialized Asia makes this different from the 1970s. This is an issue of permanent demand, not temporary supply. Don't bet on gasoline ever being consistently cheap again, even if we get more homegrown oil into the international market. Nobody is suggesting that trains can replace cars, but they give vacationers, business people and college students another option. Yet, in the past several months, four Republican governors have turned down hundreds of millions in federal rail dollars. Read More At: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11128/1144669-155-0.stm#ixzz1Lm78sLFt "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 9, 201114 yr Author Another $268.2 million is awarded to building 21st-century locomotives and rail cars for Midwest services, including Detroit-Chicago. Today'sdirect $198 million award is on top of $161 million awarded in October 2010 and $40 awarded in January 2010. Plus, another $204 million was awarded to Illinois and Indiana for portions of the Detroit-Chicago rail corridor in those two states (which also benefit Ohio-Chicago trains too)... Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: Michigan to get nearly $200M for high-speed rail Published: Monday, May 09, 2011, 9:01 AM By The Associated Press The federal government is pumping nearly $200 million into high-speed passenger rail projects in Michigan. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Monday the funds are part of a $2 billion investment stretching from the country's northeast corridor, through the Midwest and on to California. Lahood says the investments will help create jobs and spur economic development. About $195 million will be used to upgrade tracks and signals between Kalamazoo in southwestern Michigan to Dearborn, just outside Detroit. The work also will increase train speeds to 110 mph between Chicago and Detroit. Another $2.8 million will be used for an analysis of a new station in Ann Arbor. READ MORE AT: http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/transportation_secretary_ray_l.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 9, 201114 yr Author U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $2 Billion for High-Speed Intercity Rail Projects to Grow Jobs, Boost U.S. Manufacturing and Transform Travel in America http://www.fra.dot.gov/roa/press_releases/fp_DOT_57-11.shtml U.S.Department of Transportation Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm News DOT 57-11 Monday, May 09, 2011 Contact: Brie Sachse Tel.: 202-366-4570 Unprecedented Investment in the Northeast Corridor, Expanded Service in the Midwest and New, State-of-the-Art Rail Equipment Top List of Rail Dollar Recipients WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards providing an unprecedented investment to speed up trains in the Northeast Corridor, expand service in the Midwest and provide new, state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars as part of the Administration’s plan to transform travel in America. Twenty-four states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak submitted nearly 100 applications, competing to be part of an historic investment that will create tens of thousands of jobs, improve mobility and stimulate American manufacturing. "Earlier this year, President Obama and I made a commitment to improve and expand America's transportation system, including the development of a modern, national high-speed rail network," said Vice President Biden. "And today, we’re announcing investments that will continue our progress toward making this vision a reality. These projects will put thousands of Americans to work, save hundreds of thousands of hours for American travelers every year, and boost U.S. manufacturing by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in next-generation, American-made locomotives and railcars." “President Obama and Vice President Biden’s vision for a national rail system will help ensure America is equipped to win the future with the fastest, safest and most efficient transportation network in the world,” said Secretary LaHood. “The investments we’re making today will help states across the country create jobs, spur economic development and boost manufacturing in their communities.” Broadcast quality video and audio of Secretary LaHood discussing today's high-speed rail announcement is available for download via the following links: Video: https://dotmediacenter.onehub.com/d/j1vz/ Audio: https://dotmediacenter.onehub.com/d/977o/ The Department’s Federal Railroad Administration selected 15 states and Amtrak to receive $2.02 billion for 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects as part of a nationwide network that will connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail in 25 years. The dedicated rail dollars will: Make an unprecedented investment in the Northeast Corridor (NEC), with $795 million to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections of the corridor. The investments will increase speeds from 135 to 160 miles per hour on critical segments, improve on-time performance and add more seats for passengers. Provide $404.1 million to expand high-speed rail service in the Midwest. Newly constructed segments of 110-mph track between Detroit and Chicago will save passengers 30 minutes in travel time and create nearly 1,000 new jobs in the construction phase. Upgrades to the Chicago to St. Louis corridor will shave time off the trip, enhance safety and improve ridership. Boost U.S. manufacturing through a $336.2 million investment in state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars for California and the Midwest. “Next Generation” rail equipment will deliver safe, reliable and high-tech American-built vehicles for passenger travel. Continue laying the groundwork for the nation’s first 220-mph high-speed rail system in California through a $300 million investment, extending the current 110 mile segment an additional 20 miles to advance completion of the Central Valley project, the backbone of the Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor. Nearly 100 percent of the $2.02 billion announced today will go directly to construction of rail projects, bringing expanded and improved high-speed intercity passenger rail service to cities in all parts of the country. Thirty-two states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia are currently laying the foundation for high-speed rail corridors to link Americans with faster and more energy-efficient travel options. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and annual appropriations have, to date, provided $10.1 billion to put America on track towards providing rail access to new communities and improving the reliability, speed and frequency of existing lines. Of that, approximately $5.8 billion dollars has already been obligated for rail projects. A strict “Buy America” requirement for high-speed rail projects ensures that U.S. manufacturers and workers will receive the maximum economic benefits from this federal investment. In 2009, Secretary LaHood secured a commitment from 30 foreign and domestic rail manufacturers to employ American workers and locate or expand their base of operations in the U.S. if they are selected for high-speed-rail contracts. Rail project highlights include: NORTHEAST CORRIDOR (NEC) Amtrak – NEC Power, Signal, Track, Catenary Improvements – $450 million to boost capacity, reliability, and speed in one of the most heavily-traveled sections of the Northeast Corridor, creating a 24-mile segment of track capable of supporting train speeds up to 160-mph. Maryland – NEC Bridge Replacement – $22 million for engineering and environmental work to replace the century-old Susquehanna River Bridge, which currently causes frequent delays for commuters due to the high volume of critical maintenance. New York – NEC Harold Interlocking Amtrak Bypass Routes – $295 million to alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. Rhode Island – NEC Kingston Track, Platform Improvements – $25 million for design and construction of an additional 1.5 miles of third track in Kingston, RI, so high-speed trains operating at speeds up to 150-mph can pass trains on a high-volume section of the Northeast Corridor. Rhode Island – NEC Providence Station Improvements – $3 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work to renovate the Providence Station. These upgrades will enhance the passenger experience, keep the station in good working order and improve transit and pedestrian connectivity. NORTHEASTERN REGION Connecticut – New Haven to Springfield Track Construction – $30 million to complete double-track segments on the corridor, bringing added intercity rail service to a route that plays an important role in the region, connecting communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts to the NEC, as well as Vermont. Massachusetts/Maine – Downeaster Track Improvements – $20.8 million to construct a 10.4-mile section of double track between Wilmington and Andover, MA. Track upgrades will increase schedule performance and dependability for passengers traveling on the Northern New England Downeaster corridor. New York – Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements – $58 million to construct upgrades to tracks, stations and signals, improving rail operations along the Empire Corridor. This includes replacement of the Schenectady Station and construction of a fourth station track at the Albany - Rensselaer Station, one of the corridor’s most significant bottlenecks. New York – Rochester Station and Track Improvements – $1.4 million for a preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for a new Rochester Intermodal Station on the Empire Corridor, connecting passengers with additional transit and pedestrian options. Pennsylvania – Keystone Corridor Interlocking Improvements – $40 million to rebuild an interlocking near Harrisburg on the Keystone Corridor, saving travelers time and improving passenger train schedule reliability. REGIONAL EQUIPMENT POOLS Next Generation Passenger Rail Equipment Purchase – This state-of-the-art rail equipment will provide safe and reliable American-built vehicles for passenger travel, while boosting the U.S. manufacturing industry. Midwest Corridors – $268.2 million to purchase 48 high-performance passenger rail cars and 7 quick-acceleration locomotives for 8 corridors in the Midwestern States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri. California Corridors – $68 million to acquire 15 high-performance passenger rail cars and 4 quick-acceleration locomotives for the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin, and Capitol Corridors in California. MIDWESTERN REGION Illinois – Chicago - St. Louis Corridor – $186.3 million to construct upgrades on the Chicago - St. Louis Corridor between Dwight and Joliet, IL with trains operating at 110 mph for more than 220 miles of track. This investment will reduce trip times, enhance safety and add more seats on the corridor, increasing the number of people who can conveniently travel by train. Michigan – Kalamazoo-Dearborn Service Development – $196.5 million to rehabilitate track and signal systems, bringing trains up to speeds of 110 mph on a 235-mile section of the Chicago to Detroit corridor, reducing trip times by 30 minutes. Michigan – Ann Arbor Station Project – $2.8 million for an engineering and environmental analysis to construct a new high-speed rail station in Ann Arbor, MI, that will better serve passengers and allow more than one train to serve the station simultaneously. Minnesota – Northern Lights Express – $5 million to complete engineering and environmental work for establishing the Northern Lights Express – a high-speed intercity passenger service – connecting Minneapolis to Duluth, with 110-mph high-speed rail service. Missouri – Merchant’s Bridge Replacement – $13.5 million to advance the design of a new bridge over the Mississippi River on the Chicago to St. Louis Corridor, replacing a bridge built in the 1890s. SOUTHERN REGION North Carolina – Charlotte to Richmond Service Enhancement – $4 million for environmental analysis on the Richmond to Raleigh section of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR). This advances the goal of extending high-speed rail service on the NEC into the southeast, with 110-mph capable service. Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston Core Express Service – $15 million for engineering and environmental work to develop a high-speed rail corridor linking two of the largest metro areas in the U.S., Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston. CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWEST REGION California – Central Valley Construction Project Extension – $300 million for a 20-mile extension along the Central Valley Corridor. This will continue to advance one of the highest priority projects in the nation that will ultimately provide 220 mph high-speed rail service from Los Angeles to San Francisco. The work funded in this round will extend the track and civil work from Fresno to the “Wye” junction, which will provide a connection to San Jose to the West and Merced to the North. Oregon – Eugene Station Stub Tracks – $1.5 million for analysis of overnight parking tracks for passenger trains on the southern end of the Pacific Northwest Corridor, adding new capacity for increased passenger and freight rail service. Washington – Port of Vancouver Grade Separation – $15 million to eliminate a congested intersection and bottleneck between freight and passenger tracks. By elevating one set of tracks over the other, travel along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor will experience reduced delays and passenger trains will not have to wait for crossing freight traffic. #### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 9, 201114 yr FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#11-15) May 9, 2011 Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail – 202-408-8362 [mobile: 202-320-2723] Passengers Applaud Speed and Judgment Shown in $2 Billion for High-Speed Trains Vice President Joseph Biden and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced $2.02 billion in high-speed and intercity rail grants today at an event held in New York's Penn Station. The money will be distributed between 15 states and Amtrak for 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects. “We are pleased with the speed and intelligence shown by the Federal Railroad Administration in redirecting Florida’s money” said NARP President & CEO Ross Capon. “Americans should be concerned, however, that this $2 billion in high-speed rail funds represents the last money appropriated for this popular, over-subscribed program. To meet the transportation and energy needs of our growing population, Congress needs to look ahead—and not in the rear-view mirror—when making funding decisions for next year’s budget.” The awards represent a redirection of $2 billion in federal funds rejected by Florida Governor Rick Scott, killing the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail project. In a positive response to the governor’s unfortunate decision, 24 states—along with the District of Columbia and Amtrak—submitted nearly 100 applications for that money. Applicants included 11 Republican governors. A full list of projects can be found on the U.S. DOT's website. About the National Association of Railroad Passengers NARP is the only national organization speaking for the users of passenger trains and rail transit. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by over 22,000 individual members. ###
May 9, 201114 yr Author http://allaboardohio.org/2011/05/09/ohio-in-the-void-of-it-all/ Ohio: In the Void of it All! For Immediate Release May 9, 2011 Contact: Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, 216-288-4883 [email protected] See today's USDOT press release at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/roa/press_releases/fp_DOT_57-11.shtml Statement by Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio: "With Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York all receiving funds in this round, and Indiana receiving funds in an earlier round, Ohio is now officially the doughnut hole between Chicago and the East Coast. As native Ohioan Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders once sang, 'Way to go Ohio'. "However, we will continue to work with our Congressional leaders, Amtrak and others to promote capital improvements to Amtrak routes and stations across Ohio to link up Chicago and the East Coast. For the next few years, this may be the only way to bring civilized, energy-efficient, first-world transportation choices to millions of Ohioans who can't or won't drive." END "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 11, 201114 yr http://allaboardohio.org/2011/05/09/ohio-in-the-void-of-it-all/ Sorry if this comment seems offensive, but the recent news showing that Al Qaeda was targeting passenger trains in the US shows how misguided they were. All they needed to do was to contribute to Republican gubernatorial candidates's campaigns.
May 11, 201114 yr http://allaboardohio.org/2011/05/09/ohio-in-the-void-of-it-all/ Ohio: In the Void of it All! For Immediate Release May 9, 2011 Contact: Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, 216-288-4883 [email protected] See today's USDOT press release at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/roa/press_releases/fp_DOT_57-11.shtml Statement by Ken Prendergast, Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio: "With Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York all receiving funds in this round, and Indiana receiving funds in an earlier round, Ohio is now officially the doughnut hole between Chicago and the East Coast. As native Ohioan Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders once sang, 'Way to go Ohio'. "However, we will continue to work with our Congressional leaders, Amtrak and others to promote capital improvements to Amtrak routes and stations across Ohio to link up Chicago and the East Coast. For the next few years, this may be the only way to bring civilized, energy-efficient, first-world transportation choices to millions of Ohioans who can't or won't drive." END Ohio is a vacuum that nature abhors and that vacuum begins with its political "leadership." As the rest of the country advances, we will be falling farther and farther behind, but our leaders are oblivious to this. They'd rather deal with such pressing issues as allowing guns in bars instead of doing anything meaningful for their constituents.
May 12, 201114 yr Author Amtrak ridership up nearly 10 percent in April Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Amtrak ridership surged in April to be the best April on record and extends Amtrak's streak to 18 consecutive months of year-over-year ridership growth. Ridership for April 2011 was nearly 2.7 million passengers, which represents an increase of 9.9 percent over April 2010 and keeps Amtrak on the path to set a new annual ridership record. This performance is part of a long-term trend that has seen Amtrak set annual ridership records in seven of the last eight fiscal years, including more than 28.7 million passengers in FY 2010. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/amtrak-ridership-up-nearly-10-percent-in-april-3998.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 13, 201114 yr When are the growing number of people who actually ride trains going to realize that nobody rides trains anymore? :roll:
May 18, 201114 yr Faster northern border traffic being sought Sen. Schumer wants ways to pre-screen truck and train traffic By DAN FREEDMAN Hearst Newspapers Published 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, May 18, 2011 WASHINGTON -- Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin said Tuesday that he would work to speed up train and truck traffic crossing into the U.S. from Canada, which is often delayed by lengthy inspections for drugs and other contraband. At a Judiciary subcommittee hearing chaired by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Bersin said he would work with Amtrak to examine the feasibility of pre-screening U.S.-bound railroad passengers in Montreal. Amtrak's Adirondack passenger train, which runs between Montreal, Albany and New York City, is routinely stopped at the border for inspections that take up to two hours. "It's a real impediment," Schumer said. Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Faster-northern-border-traffic-being-sought-1384157.php#ixzz1MiMeNtZR
May 18, 201114 yr Author I am selfish that this doesn't get resolved soon. If it becomes easier/faster for passenger trains to clear the border, then any passenger trains between Buffalo and and Detroit may go through Canada instead of via Erie, Cleveland and Toledo. Right now, it's faster and more reliable to run a train through Ohio than it is through Canada. If Schumer is successful, Ohio can be completely bypassed if there is a desire by Amtrak to link any of its Wolverine Corridor trains with any of its Empire Corridor trains, as has been considered in the past. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 18, 201114 yr ^ That's kind of true. It would require domestic travelers to carry passports and go through screening, however, which is hardly desirable.
May 18, 201114 yr Author Consider these regular cruising speeds: Chicago - Detroit: 79 mph current, 110 mph planned east of Porter, IN as a result of funded improvements; Windsor-Aldershot-Niagara Falls: 95 mph current; Niagara Falls-New York City: 79 mph current, 90-110 mph planned as a result of funded improvements. So if Amtrak can haul ass at 90-110 mph almost the entire way from Chicago to New York City via Canada (and the Customs clearances are simplified), why should any Amtrak trains continue to travel via Ohio? Now, if the rail corridor from Buffalo through Cleveland and Toledo were upgraded to 90 mph (110 mph doesn't save much more time but costs MUCH more), then Amtrak might not be tempted to go through Canada. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 18, 201114 yr Consider these regular cruising speeds: Chicago - Detroit: 79 mph current, 110 mph planned east of Porter, IN as a result of funded improvements; Windsor-Aldershot-Niagara Falls: 95 mph current; Niagara Falls-New York City: 79 mph current, 90-110 mph planned as a result of funded improvements. So if Amtrak can haul ass at 90-110 mph almost the entire way from Chicago to New York City via Canada (and the Customs clearances are simplified), why should any Amtrak trains continue to travel via Ohio? Now, if the rail corridor from Buffalo through Cleveland and Toledo were upgraded to 90 mph (110 mph doesn't save much more time but costs MUCH more), then Amtrak might not be tempted to go through Canada. I understand that 110 MPH costs much more than 90 MPH, but wouldn't it cut more time off the trip (a 20 MPH increase) than going from 79 to 90 (an 11 MPH increase)? To me, it seems as if it's more important to fix the bottlenecks than increase the top speed by 11 MPH. The trains to Chicago seem to get to South Bend really fast and then creep into Chicago. You always think "man we're gonna get in ahead of schedule" and then you find a way to be late thanks to the approach to the city.
May 18, 201114 yr Author You are right about the removing the bottlenecks between South Bend and Chicago. Fortunately, much of that is being addressed by $203 million worth of improvements to lay added tracks and crossovers between the main tracks from Porter, IN to the Illinois state line, and to grade-separate a busy rail-to-rail crossing in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago where the NS/Amtrak mainline crosses Metra's Rock Island commuter railroad line. But the difference between 90/110 is that the increase in speed from 79 to 90 mph doesn't cost anywhere near as much as going from 79 to 110 mph, or even from 90 to 110. The reason is that 90 is the fastest speed which most freight railroads will allow on their tracks due to the capacity-reducing impacts of speed differential with slower freight trains. To increase speeds from 79 to 90, a project sponsor typically needs to to do the following: + Install Positive Train Control or similar traffic control system which interacts with a locomotive's controls (could cost about $200K per track-mile); + Lengthen constant-time warning circuits at road-rail grade crossings to reflect the speed increase (perhaps $25K to $50K per crossing -- there is an average of one grade crossing every route mile); + Increase curve super-elevation (banking) so trains can maintain 90 mph around most curves (perhaps $10K per curve, depending on the curve spiral and if crossings or bridges are involved). For passenger trains to travel at up to 110 mph, a project sponsor typically needs to to do the following: + Install Positive Train Control or similar traffic control system which interacts with a locomotive's controls (cost: see above); + Lengthen constant-time warning circuits at road-rail grade crossings to reflect the speed increase (cost: see above); + Build passenger-only track with a centerline that is at least 25 feet from the centerline of the nearest active freight track (this may require property acquisition, structural demolitions/relocations, utility/fiber optics relocations/interducts, earthmoving, etc.) and could cost $1 million to $10 million per mile. That last item is the big cost factor. So if you have to do that, in some cases it may make more sense to invest a little more into grade crossing separations to increase speeds to at least 125 mph. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 18, 201114 yr So if Amtrak can haul ass at 90-110 mph almost the entire way from Chicago to New York City via Canada (and the Customs clearances are simplified), why should any Amtrak trains continue to travel via Ohio? Now, if the rail corridor from Buffalo through Cleveland and Toledo were upgraded to 90 mph (110 mph doesn't save much more time but costs MUCH more), then Amtrak might not be tempted to go through Canada. Reasons: 1) People would need passports to travel domestically. 2) Some people ride trains to avoid security screening. 3) VIA Rail tickets are more expensive than Amtrak, and this is likely to be reflected in prices on this route. That said, it does pose some competition for the Ohio route.
May 18, 201114 yr Author However.... Amtrak could possibly run closed-doors/nonstop through Canada, but it hasn't made any decision to do so. Based on existing schedules of VIA and the proposed schedule for CHI-DET after the HSR improvements are done, a BUF-CHI schedule of 9 hours is possible through Canada without border inspections. The current BUF-CHI schedule through CLE & TOL is 10.5 hours. Here is a comparison of routes..... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 19, 201114 yr Author Proposal to remove Amtrak from direct congressional funding gets hearing By Keith Laing - 05/17/11 02:56 PM ET Obama administration officials on Tuesday defended the president's proposal to place Amtrak under an executive agency budget instead of being reliant on direct appropriations from Congress. Currently, Congress subsidizes Amtrak operations, but President Obama in his 2012 budget proposal called for placing its funding under the Federal Railroad Administration. FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo told a Senate committee the plan makes sense. READ MORE AT: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/161693-proposal-to-remove-amtrak-from-direct-congressional-funding-gets-a-hearing "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 20, 201114 yr Author Me likey this commercial.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 23, 201114 yr ^ Now, if they would only adapt that to an ad about train travel in general and not just the Northeast Corridor. On another note: Amtrak high-speed rail business plan to include private investors Amtrak has issued a request for proposals to develop a business plan for Northeast Corridor next-generation high-speed rail service that would include private investment. “Amtrak will aggressively pursue private investment, in combination with funding from the federal government and from other public sources, to achieve our goal of initiating true high-speed rail from Washington to Boston,” Amtrak Vice President of High-Speed Rail Al Engel said during a press conference yesterday. Amtrak issued the RFP in April; proposals are due by June 10. So far, 26 entities have requested the RFP, but Amtrak doesn’t expect to receive 26 proposals, Engel said. Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=26666
May 24, 201114 yr GOP to press Obama for private bids on $117B rail project By Emily Cahn - 05/23/11 12:12 PM ET Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will use a Thursday hearing to press the Obama administration to rely more on private investment for a high-speed rail project in the Northeast. Committee leaders noted the benefits high-speed rail would provide to cities in the Northeast in a memo distributed by Republican staff, and stressed that the corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., was an ideal location for the investment. Still, the memo also highlighted that a future project must be supported by private investors and not rely too heavily on federal funds. Read more at: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/162651-gop-to-use-hearing-to-press-obama-for-private-bids-on-high-speed-rail
May 27, 201114 yr Mica, Shuster call for privatizing Northeast Corridor Yesterday, U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) and rail subcommittee Chair Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) called for legislation that would separate the Northeast Corridor from Amtrak’s operation so that a public-private partnership could design, build, operate and maintain the corridor’s high-speed rail (HSR) service. Mica and Shuster plan to introduce legislation to transfer the corridor to a separate entity and begin a competitive bidding process, they said in a prepared statement. Amtrak’s $117 billion plan to develop the corridor’s HSR service over 30 years is too costly and would take too long, the congressmen said. Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article/Mica-Shuster-call-for-privatizing-Northeast-Corridor--26731
May 27, 201114 yr Author That's cool. Are they also going to privatize I-95, the New Jersey Turnpike, National Airport, BWI, Philly International, Newark, LaGuardia, Logan? It never ceases to amaze how the double-standard is allowed to survive. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 27, 201114 yr That's cool. Are they also going to privatize I-95, the New Jersey Turnpike, National Airport, BWI, Philly International, Newark, LaGuardia, Logan? It never ceases to amaze how the double-standard is allowed to survive. You should send them a letter and ask that very question.
May 27, 201114 yr You should send them a letter and ask that very question. Perhaps All Aboard Ohio needs to send such a letter.
May 27, 201114 yr Author I've posed the question instead through a rail campaign basecamp website. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 29, 201114 yr Indiana privatized its turnpike and Ohio has talked about it. Virginia has a number of privatized roads. Amtrak was nationalized, so I don't see a problem handing it Carl Lindner.
May 29, 201114 yr Indiana privatized its turnpike and Ohio has talked about it. Virginia has a number of privatized roads. Amtrak was nationalized, so I don't see a problem handing it Carl Lindner. Amtrak was not nationalized. It's a semi-government run corporation, a sort of bastardized stepchild instead of a truly national system. This was done in 1971 to relieve the privately owned freight railroads of their passenger losses. The idea of a corporation (for profit, no less) was put in place to placate conservatives. I may be wrong, but I believe Lindner is only an opportunist looking for an easy payoff on worthless Amtrak stock. He's not interested in actually running a railroad.
May 29, 201114 yr That's cool. Are they also going to privatize I-95, the New Jersey Turnpike, National Airport, BWI, Philly International, Newark, LaGuardia, Logan? It never ceases to amaze how the double-standard is allowed to survive. Indiana's Governor Mitch Daniels perseveres in his plan to extend I-69 southwest from its present terminus at Indianapolis and is adamant that it will not be a toll road. More burden, direct and indirect, will be passed on to local, state, and federal taxpayers to create a subsidized expressway for truckers operating in direct competition with an already-established, tax-paying freight rail system serving the same intended origin/destination (Great Lakes to Mexican Border).
June 7, 201114 yr Author Latest update from Amtrak shows that, so far in the FY2011 fiscal year (October 2010-September 2011), ridership is up on all three Ohio Amtrak trains and revenues are up even higher. It's great to see ridership up, but it's wonderful to see revenue is way up.... RIDERSHIP TICKET REVENUES PCT% CHANGE VS. FY2011 FY2010 PCT% FY2011 FY2010 BUDGET 2010 BUDGET CARDINAL 73,678 65,195 +13.0 $4,617,588 $3,752,349 $4,483,011 +23.1 +3.0 CAPITOL 145,508 135,104 +7.7 $12,373,416 $10,846,122 $11,478,603 +14.1 +7.8 LAKE SHORE 253,517 226,162 +12.1 $19,080,884 $16,031,011 $16,360,378 +19.0 +16.6 SYSTEM TOTAL 19.8M 18.56M +6.7 $1.236B $1.115B $1.170B +10.8 +5.6 EDIT: the numbers are for the first eight months of FY2011 vs. FY2010, and therefore do not include the busy summer travel season. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 7, 201114 yr I highly doubt they will post a profit- but their farebox recovery is getting better and better every year. The only two lines that traditionally make a profit are the NEC and Acela- most other lines however are losing less money than they usually do. Every month they post major revenue gains- As long as expenses aren't rising by the same amount, this could be a GREAT year for the efficiency of Amtrak.
June 7, 201114 yr Given recent increases in the cost of fuel and healthcare, Amtrak's costs are certainly not going down.
June 7, 201114 yr Author The most recent numbers I saw is that all revenues earned by Amtrak are covering 85 percent of total costs, which is up from 75 percent two years ago. The numbers posted above show only the ridership/ticket revenue side of the equation and compare those numbers to last year's and to the projected amount of revenue budgeted for 2011. So Amtrak is earning 5.6 percent more revenue so far this fiscal year than they expected, and 10.8 percent more than last year. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 7, 201114 yr Author BTW, OCtoCincy, Northeast Corridor includes Acela and Northeast Regional. The Northeast Corridor contributed about 35 percent of system ridership (7.3 million of 19.8 million) and half of the system's ticket revenues ($660 million of $1.236 billion). So they are at least getting super close to breaking even. That is great. I think if they expanded service on routes where they already have limited service (cough, cough -- OHIO!), Amtrak could start to enjoy some economies of scale. The stations are already there. Servicing and support facilities already exist. But the east-west routes through Ohio have just one daily round trip on them, which puts a big financial burden on those lone trains. The Lake Shore Limited is seeing the fastest growth in ridership and revenue among any of Amtrak's 15 long-distance train routes. And consider that the one daily round trip of the Lake Shore is generating more ticket revenue ($19 million so far in FY2011) than the 32 weekday/16 weekend day trains in the Bay Area-Sacramento Capitol Corridor ($16.7 million) although the Capitol Corridor (not to be confused with the Chicago-Washington DC Capitol Limited) carried 1,122,377 riders so far in FY2011 vs. 253,517 riders on the Lake Shore. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 7, 201114 yr Author 110 mph doesn't get you much more travel time savings than 90 mph, yet it increases capital costs dramatically. And it is more palatable to the track-owning freight railroads as shown in this article..... Group endorses higher rail speed Passengers association backs push for a 90 mph limit By ERIC ANDERSON Business editor Published 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011 ALBANY -- The state's major passenger rail advocacy group, in an effort to get tens of millions of dollars worth of stalled rail projects rolling across upstate, has endorsed CSX Transportation's push for a 90 mph speed limit west of Schenectady. The state Department of Transportation had sought a top speed of 110 mph, which CSX said would endanger its freight trains and crews, who share the tracks with Amtrak. The Empire State Passengers Association issued a statement Monday backing the 90 mph plan. "The immediate needs of New York state's rail passengers are for reduced trip times and improved on-time performance reliability," said Bruce Becker, the association's president. "It is critical that New York state and CSX finalize the agreements necessary to allow the currently funded incremental improvement infrastructure projects to proceed forward as quickly as possible, particularly the vital, 110 mph second main track between Albany and Schenectady." CSX welcomed the association's move. Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Group-endorses-higher-rail-speed-1412485.php#ixzz1Od052jH3 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 7, 201114 yr BTW, OCtoCincy, Northeast Corridor includes Acela and Northeast Regional. The Northeast Corridor contributed about 35 percent of system ridership (7.3 million of 19.8 million) and half of the system's ticket revenues ($660 million of $1.236 billion). I meant Acela & Northeast Regional- Silly me! But KJP! I'm sure you'll be happy to know you're wrong... by about $200,000,000 dollars! FY10 ticket revenue for Acela Express was $440,119,294 and Northeast Regional revenue was $458,105,798. And your total ticket revenue is off by $500,000,000. Total system wide ticket revenue was $1.74 billion in FY10. I'm always happy to correct you when it's for such good news. So they are at least getting super close to breaking even. That is great. I think if they expanded service on routes where they already have limited service (cough, cough -- OHIO!), Amtrak could start to enjoy some economies of scale. The stations are already there. Servicing and support facilities already exist. But the east-west routes through Ohio have just one daily round trip on them, which puts a big financial burden on those lone trains. The Lake Shore Limited is seeing the fastest growth in ridership and revenue among any of Amtrak's 15 long-distance train routes. And consider that the one daily round trip of the Lake Shore is generating more ticket revenue ($19 million so far in FY2011) than the 32 weekday/16 weekend day trains in the Bay Area-Sacramento Capitol Corridor ($16.7 million) although the Capitol Corridor (not to be confused with the Chicago-Washington DC Capitol Limited) carried 1,122,377 riders so far in FY2011 vs. 253,517 riders on the Lake Shore. Definitely-- And while some lines will never ever come close to being profitable (Sunset Limited lost an average of $400 per rider in FY09) others that only lose a $20-30 per rider might finally be breaking even. My ideal Amtrak situation would be where the government no longer subsidizes operating costs, and is then able to increase federally funded capital projects (thereby making the lines better overall, and increasing operating revenue further, etc.) Amtrak would never be expected to be so profitable that it could continue to expand it's lines and buy new equipment, etc. without state support, but it's within reason that they can balance their operating budget soon.
June 9, 201114 yr Author Looks like the House of Representatives in its transportation budget will provide no funding for Amtrak, a system that covers 85 percent of its operating costs from tickets and other revenues. My suggestion to Congress: refuse to give funding to transportation programs that do not achieve a cost-recovery ratio at least as good as Amtrak's. So the FAA Air Traffic Control system? Nope. The Federal Highway Trust Fund? Nope. Federal Transit Account? Nope. House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica calls Amtrak a Soviet-style program. But no other travel mode uses as much privately owned and funded infrastructure as Amtrak. Infrastructure for the other modes -- road, air and water -- is heavily reliant on taxpayers. In fact, Communist China uses more private financing for its new highway system than America uses for its highways. Yet Amtrak is the one on the House of Representatives' chopping block. The double-standard rears its ugly head again. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 10, 201114 yr Amtrak privatization plan is short-sighted; we should invest in rail By Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) - 06/08/11 06:35 PM ET On the heels of a historic vote to end Medicare, Republicans are picking up steam in their rush to dismantle another highly popular and successful program. Next stop on the Elimination Express? Amtrak. Under the false promise of better service and cost savings, Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will soon unveil a partisan plan to dismantle Amtrak and auction off its assets to the highest bidder. Doubling down on this risky bet, they want to hand over the conductor’s cap to the same folks who ran the stock market off a cliff. Privatizing passenger rail in the Northeast Corridor will not merely affect train service in that region; it will have a crippling domino effect on train service from sea to shining sea. Because of its national scope, Amtrak is able to invest profits from the Northeast Corridor to offset less profitable long-distance lines in other parts of the country. Read more at: http://thehill.com/opinion/op-ed/165489-amtrak-privatization-plan-is-short-sighted-we-should-invest-in-rail
June 14, 201114 yr High-speed rail's blurry and beaten path By Angela Cotey, Associate Editor On May 9, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it had allocated $2 billion in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) grants to Amtrak and 15 states. The good news: That money will be used to fund projects that will make tangible improvements to rail service throughout the country — Northeast Corridor upgrades to increase train speeds from 135 mph to 160 mph on some of the corridor’s most heavily used sections; track improvements in Michigan that will allow for 110 mph operations along a significant portion of the Chicago-Detroit corridor; an extension of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s initial construction segment in the Central Valley; and rail car and locomotive purchases in the Midwest and California for 125 mph operations on some corridors. The not so good news: The $2 billion was redirected from a project in Florida, where the federal funds would have covered almost all the construction costs for a Tampa-Orlando corridor. The project was on track to become the country’s first dedicated high-speed rail (HSR) line until Florida Gov. Rick Scott rejected the funds in February, effectively killing the project (at least for the time being). Read more at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/high_speed_rail/article/Highspeed-rails-blurry-and-beaten-path--26836
June 15, 201114 yr Committee Leaders to Roll Out Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail & Intercity Rail Privatization Plan June 14, 2011 Washington, DC – House Transportation Committee Chairman John L. Mica (R-FL) and Railroads Subcommittee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) at a national briefing on Wednesday will roll out a dramatically new approach to bring private sector competition to high-speed passenger rail in the Northeast Corridor and intercity passenger rail service across the country. “After 40 years of highly subsidized, poorly managed Amtrak operations, it’s time for Congress to change the direction of America’s failed high-speed and intercity passenger rail service,” Mica said. “This new direction will employ private sector competition to bring real high-speed rail to the Northeast Corridor, reform passenger rail service across the country, and lower taxpayer costs. After spending billions of dollars, Amtrak and its snail speed, last-century level of service have reached the end of the line.” “As high-speed trains and passenger rail service around the world speed by, America remains stuck at the station,” said Shuster. “It’s time to leave behind the decades-old, inefficient and unproductive Amtrak monopoly and deregulate passenger rail service.” Chairmen Mica and Shuster will unveil their proposal via live webcast and teleconference from Washington on Wednesday, beginning at 11:00 a.m. (EDT). Members of the media may attend the briefing in person, watch live at http://transportation.house.gov, or call the following number to listen and pose questions: (877) 229-8493 and enter the code 184163. WHO: U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL), Chairman, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA), Chairman, Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee WHAT: Rollout and Briefing: Northeast Corridor High-Speed Rail and Intercity Passenger Rail Privatization Initiative WHEN: 11:00 a.m. (EDT), Wednesday, June 15, 2011 WHERE: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Watch via live webcast: http://transportation.house.gov http://transportation.house.gov/News/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1304
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