Ironic as it is, I am heading to New York by way of Amtrak this fall.

 

It was short notice, so the tickets were a little more than what you can normally get them for, but they are far cheaper than flying.

 

Round trip by plane for two is $1,245. We payed less than a third of that.

 

Any advise on riding?

^My advice, don't sit in your seat the whole time, take the opportunity to walk around. Also, hangout in the cafe car, the seats are a little more comfortable, you can get something to eat/drink, and the views outside of the windows are better. Oh, and bring something to read or something to entertain yourself.

Any advice on riding?

 

I assume you are taking trains #48/49 to/from New York? If so.....

 

> The train you are taking comes from Chicago. It is scheduled to leave there at 9:30 p.m. Central Time. If you go to bed AFTER 10:30 p.m., check "Status" on the left side of the page at amtrak.com. If #48 leaves Chicago on time, it's got a pretty good shot at arriving Cleveland on time. You can also check Train Tracker at http://www.dixielandsoftware.com/. Check both again before you leave home for the station. If the train is more than 30 minutes late, it is better to wait at home than to wait at the station.

 

> If you are checking your luggage, get to the station at least 30 minutes before departure. You can take some pretty big luggage on to the train, but there are restrictions. Check the "Riders Guide" on the Amtrak website.

 

> The train pulls into the station and you are told what car to board either by the loudspeakers or just by asking uniformed train crew members on the platform. Amtrak likes to keep passengers bound for the same destination sitting together. This is even more important for stations east of Albany, NY. The reason is that the train splits into two sections. Usually, the front five cars on the train go to Boston. The trailing 10 cars or so go to New York City. Since you are going to New York, stand somewhere in the middle of the platform (by the walkways from the station) and then await instructions or ask a train employee where to board.

 

> Seats are reserved, but only in terms that the number of seats sold cannot exceed the number of seats on the train. The only time you reserve an actual seat location is the moment you sit in one. The conductor comes around, checks your tickets and puts a tag above your seat with a three-letter station code on it. For you, it will be "NYP" for New York-Penn station.

 

> Seating suggestion #1: sit on the right side of the train. You'll have more views of the Erie Canal, the Mohawk River, and the scenic star attraction of the trip -- the Hudson River valley. Except when you get close to Buffalo, you will see very little of Lake Erie and none of Lake Ontario, so don't bother sitting on the left side.

 

> Seating suggestion #2: sit as close to the center of the car as you can (rides more smoothly, less wheel noise, stays away from bathrooms and doors between cars). Oh, and you will love how much leg room you will have in coach on a train!

 

> Expect your seating area to be less than clean. You are getting on a train that is 341 miles from its last cleaning, and 619 miles until its next cleaning. The seat you will sit in probably just had someone from the west get off at Cleveland. The Lake Shore Limited (trains #48/49) frequently sells out, so if someone books a seat from Chicago-Cleveland, Amtrak's reservations computers makes that seat available for sale for Cleveland eastward. The train's crew may not have had time to clean up around the seats vacated enroute, especially for larger stations like Cleveland where an average of 70+ people get on/off each train.

 

> For longer trips like Cleveland-New York, treat it like a 600-mile-long camping trip and you'll enjoy it much more. You can bring snacks/drinks on board (nothing sloppy/messy!), but eat them at your seat only. Bring a real pillow or blanket. The Amtrak pillows are airline pillows and are a joke. Bring an iPod or some music -- especially if you can't get a seat away from a crying baby. And of course, bring a smart phone or laptop with WiFi. There are power outlets at most seats. You can pick up cell signals most of the way as you follow Interstates and most of the route is well populated.

 

> Don't spend the entire trip at your seat. If you do, you're missing one of the best parts of train travel. Go to the cafe car, have a beer and socialize. You'll meet people from all over the world, especially on a train like the Lake Shore. See how long it takes you to master walking through a moving, rocking train. And have at least one meal in the dining car, even though it's more expensive. The Lake Shore has a beautifully refurbished 1950s-era dining car with some terrific food. For some reason, dining at 79-110 mph is one of the best experiences in travel. Period. And don't forget to tip your waiter/waitress the same 20 percent as you do in any restaurant!

 

> When you get up from your seat, pack your belongings away and take valuables with you. Don't leave iPods out, or camera bags on your seat, or other obviously expensive items available for the taking. But you can leave bags unattended under your seat or above your seat and go to the cafe or diner or bathroom. People don't steal things on trains because there's lots of witnesses. But don't make it easy for someone, either.

 

> If you are booking a sleeper, which I doubt you are based on the fare you noted, then there different suggestions. In that case, you really do book a specific room (again get a room close to the center of the car for the same reasons as above).

 

Summary of suggestions: check train status before you leave for the station, sit in the middle of the car (on the right side of the Lake Shore), treat long-distance train riding like a camping trip, and do not stay in your seat the whole way!

^My advice, don't sit in your seat the whole time, take the opportunity to walk around. Also, hangout in the cafe car, the seats are a little more comfortable, you can get something to eat/drink, and the views outside of the windows are better. Oh, and bring something to read or something to entertain yourself.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! So are the windows larger in the cafe then?

 

Any advice on riding?

 

I assume you are taking trains #48/49 to/from New York? If so.....

 

> The train you are taking comes from Chicago. It is scheduled to leave there at 9:30 p.m. Central Time. If you go to bed AFTER 10:30 p.m., check "Status" on the left side of the page at amtrak.com. If #48 leaves Chicago on time, it's got a pretty good shot at arriving Cleveland on time. You can also check Train Tracker at http://www.dixielandsoftware.com/. Check both again before you leave home for the station. If the train is more than 30 minutes late, it is better to wait at home than to wait at the station.

 

> If you are checking your luggage, get to the station at least 30 minutes before departure. You can take some pretty big luggage on to the train, but there are restrictions. Check the "Riders Guide" on the Amtrak website.

 

> The train pulls into the station and you are told what car to board either by the loudspeakers or just by asking uniformed train crew members on the platform. Amtrak likes to keep passengers bound for the same destination sitting together. This is even more important for stations east of Albany, NY. The reason is that the train splits into two sections. Usually, the front five cars on the train go to Boston. The trailing 10 cars or so go to New York City. Since you are going to New York, stand somewhere in the middle of the platform (by the walkways from the station) and then await instructions or ask a train employee where to board.

 

> Seats are reserved, but only in terms that the number of seats sold cannot exceed the number of seats on the train. The only time you reserve an actual seat location is the moment you sit in one. The conductor comes around, checks your tickets and puts a tag above your seat with a three-letter station code on it. For you, it will be "NYP" for New York-Penn station.

 

> Seating suggestion #1: sit on the right side of the train. You'll have more views of the Erie Canal, the Mohawk River, and the scenic star attraction of the trip -- the Hudson River valley. Except when you get close to Buffalo, you will see very little of Lake Erie and none of Lake Ontario, so don't bother sitting on the left side.

 

> Seating suggestion #2: sit as close to the center of the car as you can (rides more smoothly, less wheel noise, stays away from bathrooms and doors between cars). Oh, and you will love how much leg room you will have in coach on a train!

 

> Expect your seating area to be less than clean. You are getting on a train that is 341 miles from its last cleaning, and 619 miles until its next cleaning. The seat you will sit in probably just had someone from the west get off at Cleveland. The Lake Shore Limited (trains #48/49) frequently sells out, so if someone books a seat from Chicago-Cleveland, Amtrak's reservations computers makes that seat available for sale for Cleveland eastward. The train's crew may not have had time to clean up around the seats vacated enroute, especially for larger stations like Cleveland where an average of 70+ people get on/off each train.

 

> For longer trips like Cleveland-New York, treat it like a 600-mile-long camping trip and you'll enjoy it much more. You can bring snacks/drinks on board (nothing sloppy/messy!), but eat them at your seat only. Bring a real pillow or blanket. The Amtrak pillows are airline pillows and are a joke. Bring an iPod or some music -- especially if you can't get a seat away from a crying baby. And of course, bring a smart phone or laptop with WiFi. There are power outlets at most seats. You can pick up cell signals most of the way as you follow Interstates and most of the route is well populated.

 

> Don't spend the entire trip at your seat. If you do, you're missing one of the best parts of train travel. Go to the cafe car, have a beer and socialize. You'll meet people from all over the world, especially on a train like the Lake Shore. See how long it takes you to master walking through a moving, rocking train. And have at least one meal in the dining car, even though it's more expensive. The Lake Shore has a beautifully refurbished 1950s-era dining car with some terrific food. For some reason, dining at 79-110 mph is one of the best experiences in travel. Period. And don't forget to tip your waiter/waitress the same 20 percent as you do in any restaurant!

 

> When you get up from your seat, pack your belongings away and take valuables with you. Don't leave iPods out, or camera bags on your seat, or other obviously expensive items available for the taking. But you can leave bags unattended under your seat or above your seat and go to the cafe or diner or bathroom. People don't steal things on trains because there's lots of witnesses. But don't make it easy for someone, either.

 

> If you are booking a sleeper, which I doubt you are based on the fare you noted, then there different suggestions. In that case, you really do book a specific room (again get a room close to the center of the car for the same reasons as above).

 

Summary of suggestions: check train status before you leave for the station, sit in the middle of the car (on the right side of the Lake Shore), treat long-distance train riding like a camping trip, and do not stay in your seat the whole way!

 

 

Wow KJP!, Thanks! That was a lot of useful information, and Im glad I now know what to expect before and during the trip. I cant thank you enough.

 

You mentioned that there is power outlets at most seats. Where are the power outlets located? Are they easily visible. I want to make sure we get a seat with one. One on the right side, in the middle of the car, with a power outlet!  haha!

 

Also their isnt WiFi correct?

 

 

The power outlets are easily visible on the sides of the train.  Each pair of seats has 2 of its own regular 3 prong outlets.

 

There is no WiFi, but I have never had trouble tethering from my cell phone (in which case you'll want to plug both your cell phone and laptop into the outlets).

 

Thanks for the suggestions! So are the windows larger in the cafe then?

 

 

No, they are the same size. The cafe cars on the Lake Shore use the same basic carbody as the coaches, called Amfleet II, and thus the same sized windows. He may be referring to the diners which do have larger windows, as they are the older cars. Or he may be thinking of the two-level Superliner cars which have floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounges. But Superliner cars are used only on two routes east of Chicago -- the Capitol Limited between Chicago-Cleveland-Washington DC and the Auto Train between Lorton, Virginia and Sanford, Fla.

 

Oh, and one more tip: Keep a toiletry kit accessible in your luggage or other bag. Spending 12 hours on a train, much of which will be in coach seat and occasionally sleeping, can leave you rumpled and a tad stinky. You may be very tired when you arrive, too.

 

Wow KJP!, Thanks! That was a lot of useful information, and Im glad I now know what to expect before and during the trip. I cant thank you enough.

 

You mentioned that there is power outlets at most seats. Where are the power outlets located? Are they easily visible. I want to make sure we get a seat with one. One on the right side, in the middle of the car, with a power outlet!  haha!

 

Also their isnt WiFi correct?

 

 

Glad to be of any help. On refurbished Amfleet II cars, the power outlets are on a strip below the windows (see photo below). As far as I can tell, all seats on Amfleet II coaches have them. There is no WiFi on most trains outside of the Northeast Corridor. Sorry.

 

Here are some pictures of the train accommodations you will be riding in....

 

The Lake Shore Limited is one of Amtrak's busiest and longest trains, as it carries an average of just under 550 people per train per direction (their eastbound and westbound trains would nearly fill four jumbo jets, or 10 737s, or 18 double-deck Megabus buses, every single day). Here it is in 2010 in Clyde, NY along the Erie Canal:

 

 

 

An Amfleet II coach on the Lake Shore at Buffalo:

 

 

Interior views of Amfleet II coach seating:

 

 

 

 

See the AC power outlets in the silver strip below the windows?

 

 

 

Interior views of Amfleet II cafe car:

 

 

Food prep area in center of the cafe car, which goes to/from Boston with the rest of the Boston cars (no cafe car Albany-New York City!):

 

 

 

And the Lake Shore's classic dining car refurbished to its 1950s splendor (it goes to New York City with the rest of the New York cars):

 

 

Yep, they actually serve food on real china (OK, maybe it's stoneware!) in the diner:

 

 

 

BTW, you will travel at 110 mph between Schenectady and Poughkeepsie stations (about 90 miles). Use the GPS app on your phone to verify. Its also fun to use GPS just to know where you are.

 

 

 

Here is a nice walk-through of the train. This family is traveling in a sleeper, has dinner in the diner, and then does the walk-through of the diner, coaches, the cafe, more coaches, and then the Boston sleeper (the New York sleepers are in the opposite direction from the diner). Note how many passengers have laptops, and many are using them to watch movies or do some gaming....

 

A Ride on Amtrak's Lakeshore Limited From Albany to Chicago

Great info. This should be out on the AAO website and other places.

^My advice, don't sit in your seat the whole time, take the opportunity to walk around. Also, hangout in the cafe car, the seats are a little more comfortable, you can get something to eat/drink, and the views outside of the windows are better. Oh, and bring something to read or something to entertain yourself.

 

Thanks for the suggestions! So are the windows larger in the cafe then?

 

No, they're not any bigger, it just seemed to me that you could see out of them better, plus you can see out of both sides more easily.

Sent on behalf of the FRA Administrator, Joseph C. Szabo:

 

Friends,

 

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and the State of Virginia for their recently announced Amtrak service to Norfolk. Thanks to the commitment of Governor McDonnell, this winter, Virginians will be able to board Amtrak trains in Norfolk and reach Richmond, Washington, D.C. and destinations along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

 

Today, Amtrak’s overall performance is best characterized as a Cinderella story.  Ridership is booming and robust in nearly every region of the country over the last decade, with annual ridership records set eight out of the last nine years: 

 

·        In the Northeast, Amtrak accounts for 75 percent of the Rail/Air travel between Washington and New York;

·        In the Southwest, ridership between Oklahoma City and Texas is up 28 percent;

·        In Michigan, the ridership between Detroit and Chicago is up 57 percent;

·        In the Pacific Northwest, ridership between Seattle and Portland is up 68 percent

·        In Wisconsin, the ridership between Milwaukee and Chicago is up 91 percent;

·        In California, ridership between San Jose and Sacramento is up 123 percent;

·        In Pennsylvania, ridership between Harrisburg and Philadelphia is up 128 percent;

·        In North Carolina, ridership between Charlotte and Raleigh is up 155 percent.

 

The carrier’s overall financial performance is much stronger today.  Amtrak’s total long-term debt is projected to be reduced to just 39% of what it was a decade ago. Its net unit cost per passenger mile has been reduced to a nickel – an all-time low – compared to 35 cents in 1981. 

 

The turnaround was not by accident.  It was a concerted effort by Amtrak to identify and conqueror new markets, revamp its customer service, forge new partnerships with the states to provide regional services, and reinvest in its infrastructure. 

 

With transportation congestion costing American businesses and families more than $130 billion each year, our investments in transportation alternatives, such as Amtrak, are needed to ensure our continued path to prosperity.

 

Best,

 

Joe

Amtrak Chairman keynote speaker at Ohio passenger rail luncheon forum Oct. 22 in Toledo!

 

Come hear Thomas C. Carper, Amtrak's Chairman of the Board, discuss "Amtrak and Economic Development in the Midwest." To register, print and mail the attached:

 

http://www.tmacog.org/TransportationMeetings/Passenger%20Rail%20Forum/2012/Flier_pdf.pdf

Amtrak Chairman keynote speaker at Ohio passenger rail luncheon forum Oct. 22 in Toledo!

 

Come hear Thomas C. Carper, Amtrak's Chairman of the Board, discuss "Amtrak and Economic Development in the Midwest." To register, print and mail the attached:

 

http://www.tmacog.org/TransportationMeetings/Passenger%20Rail%20Forum/2012/Flier_pdf.pdf

 

Sounds like a good chance for KJP to get some facetime to promote our North Coast Cooridor service! :)

Thanks, but I think many others will want to do so as well. This effort is being advocated by many, from Chicago to the East Coast.

We're losing the argument when the national dialogue singles out Amtrak for its subsidies, and no mention is made that Amtrak covers more of its costs than highways or aviation. That dialogue needs to include what the price of a gallon of gas or the cost of an airline ticket would be if we did not have this double-standard about  ownerships/financing of the infrastructure/operator for rail vs. road and air (ie: we privatized rail infrastructure long ago, but highways or aviation infrastructure avoid inclusion in the debate)...

 

Amtrak funding in crosshairs in presidential race

By JOSH LEDERMAN | Associated Press – Sept. 10, 2012

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning to Amtrak from Mitt Romney and Republicans: You're on your own.

 

The platform Republicans adopted at their convention included a call for full privatization and an end to subsidies for the nation's passenger rail operator, which gobbled up almost $1.5 billion in federal funds last year.

 

"It is long past time for the federal government to get out of the way and allow private ventures to provide passenger service," the platform said, arguing that taxpayers dole out almost $50 for every Amtrak ticket.

 

Long a political cudgel in the halls of Congress, Amtrak is among a number of transportation functions Republicans say should be turned over to the private sector — including airport security, also on the chopping block in the GOP platform. At its core, the debate juxtaposes differing visions about what role government should play in ensuring public access to services — even if they're losing money hand over fist.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://news.yahoo.com/amtrak-funding-crosshairs-presidential-race-180414496--election.html

The latest whimsical look at transportation, brought to you by the Institute for Real World Solutions!

 

http://freepdfhosting.com/52c7e6319a.pdf

http://narprail.org/news/press-releases/2089-us-passengers-push-back-against-attacks-on-train-investment-in-small-and-rural-communities

 

American Passengers Push Back Against Attacks on Train Investment in Small and Rural Communities

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#12-10)

September 20, 2012

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail – 202-408-8362

 

Washington, D.C.—National Association of Railroad Passengers President Ross Capon defended the national passenger rail network from calls to end government investment in passenger rail at a Congressional hearing held today.

 

Convened by the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, A Review of Amtrak Operations, Part III: Examining 41 Years of Taxpayer Subsidies featured (in addition to Capon) Amtrak President & CEO Joseph Boardman, Amtrak Inspector General Ted Alves, American Bus Association President & CEO Peter Pantuso, and Cato Institute Fellow Randal O'Toole.

 

“We have strongly supported the federal government’s investment in Amtrak since its inception and believe that the investment has been worthwhile and brought important benefits to the nation, including both to passengers and to others,” said Capon in his testimony, providing facts that dispel the misconception that Amtrak is alone in receiving government subsidization:

 

“Discussion of Amtrak subsidies invariably is accompanied by understating or ignoring huge subsidies to other modes. In 2001, 41% of the $133 billion spent on highways came from payments other than the gas tax, tolls, and vehicle taxes and fees, as follows: 15.3% general fund appropriations; 9.5% bond issue proceeds; 5.8% investment income and other receipts; 5.6% other taxes and fees; 4.8% property taxes. While most of this is at the state and local levels, federal policy encourages this by offering states generous funding matches for highway investments but no match (until recently and then only temporarily) for intercity rail investments.”

 

Standing in stark philosophical contrast, Mr. O’Toole called for a complete end to all government involvement in transportation.  Some of the committee members in attendance pressed O’Toole on the practical effects of radical privatization of the transportation network.  Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) reacted with incredulity when Mr. O’Toole suggested that the government cede control of U.S.airspace to private companies, and Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) directed a pointed inquiry about how rural communities would fair.

 

“So in my district, which has rural areas, should there be any program to incentivize availability of transportation?” asked Congressman Harris.

 

“I live in a rural area… a very rural area,” responded O’Toole.  “We certainly don’t have bus service, and I don’t think the government should subsidize my bus service.  When I decided to move there, I knew I wouldn’t have access to those things.  If I need access to those things, I’ll move to a place where I need to have access.  We’re a mobile society… so if people need that at some point in their lives, they can move to a community that has that.”

 

In his written testimony, Capon offered clear and compelling evidence as to why this course would be a disaster for rural Americans.

 

“The role of long-distance trains has become increasingly important as air and fixed-route bus service is withdrawn from rural America,” said Capon, going on to cite a 2010 U.S. Department of Transportation report that found an estimated 3.5 million rural residents lost intercity transportation access between 2005 and 2010, and that an additional 3.7 million who still had intercity transportation service in 2010 lost access to at least one transportation mode during the 5-year period.  America’s senior citizens are especially vulnerable—by 2015, more than 15.5 million Americans 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation is poor or non-existent.

 

Capon’s testimony argues that coordination between Amtrak and intercity bus companies in serving markets will benefit passengers and operators alike, whether or not particular routes are part of Amtrak’s Thruway network.

 

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.

 

###

Amtrak Chief Says Railroad's Subsidy Dwarfed by Highway Bailout

By Angela Greiling Keane - Sep 20, 2012 10:16 AM ET

 

The head of Amtrak defended taxpayer support for rail fares, saying highways have received more in emergency assistance in the past four years than the U.S. passenger railroad has gotten in its 41-year history.

 

“In the past four years, the federal government has appropriated $53.3 billion from the general fund of the Treasury to bail out the highway trust fund,” Amtrak Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman said in testimony prepared for a congressional hearing today. “That’s almost 30 percent more than the total federal expenditure on Amtrak since 1971.”

 

Boardman appeared today at a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing where Chairman John Mica, a Florida Republican, said the average taxpayer subsidy for the past five years works out to $50.97 per ticket sold.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-20/amtrak-chief-says-railroad-s-subsidy-dwarfed-by-highway-bailout.html

Yep, we're spending way too much on choo-choos. Of the highway and aviation spending 50-75 percent of that has come from users, with a 50-percent and decreasing share from users in recent years. Of the passenger rail spending, 55-85 percent of that has come from users, with an 85-percent and increasing share from users in recent years......

 

 

Larger version available here:

http://www.northeastbizalliance.org/federal_spending.png

Road/air subsidies: huge, growing & safe; Amtrak’s are small, shrinking & attacked

kjprendergast on September 21, 2012

 

Some graphics tell a story better than words. The above graphic from the Northeast Business Alliance does that very well. It shows how tiny our nation’s federal funding support is for rail and how out of control federal spending is for highways and aviation.

 

Yet rail is constantly under attack by so-called budget hawks who claim we’re spending too much on trains. And this year has seen a renewed assault. Why? For several reasons…

 

READ MORE AT:

http://allaboardohio.org/2012/09/21/road-air-subsidies-huge-growing-safe-amtraks-are-small-shrinking-attacked/

oops!

jeepers!

 

 

Today at 5:58 PM 1Comment

More Amtrak Conductors Are High or Drunk on the Job Than Ever Before

By Andre Tartar

 

 

Passengers beware: A new report out by the Amtrak inspector general — yes, that's a real person — shows higher rates of conductors, mechanics, and engineers testing positive for drugs and alcohol than at any time in the past six years. And that's with Amtrak only testing about a third of its 4,400-strong workforce and only firing those who fail twice, the AP has learned. "These conditions increase the risk that a serious accident will occur that involves drugs or alcohol," the report warns, prompting Amtrak to up its drug test rate to at least 50 percent from now on. Which should totally put commuters' minds at ease.

 

 

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/09/amtrak-conductors-are-high-drunk-on-the-job.html

 

Friday, September 21, 2012 23 Comments

UPDATE: Reminder: Amtrak Subsidies Pale in Comparison to Highway Subsidies

by Tanya Snyder

 

UPDATED 9/24 with chart.

 

House Transportation Committee Chair John Mica continued his “holy jihad” against Amtrak yesterday, holding the third full-committee hearing in a series on “Reviewing Amtrak’s Operations.” He’s planning at least three more hearings during the lame duck session after the election.

 

Mica went after subsidies in this one, and he clearly thinks this is a winning issue. After all, Amtrak has gotten nearly $1 billion a year in federal funds over its 41-year existence. The per-ticket subsidy over the past five years has averaged nearly $51. Mica compared that to other forms of transportation: Using 2008 data, he showed that the average per-ticket subsidy to aviation was $4.28, for mass transit was 95 cents, and for intercity commercial bus service 10 cents.

 

What’s missing? Highways, of course. Luckily, Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman was on hand to remind him. “In the past four years, the federal government has appropriated $53.3 billion from the general fund of the Treasury to bail out the Highway Trust Fund,” Boardman told the committee. “That’s almost 30 percent more than the total federal expenditure on Amtrak since 1971.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/09/21/reminder-amtrak-subsidies-pale-in-comparison-to-highway-subsidies/

Amtrakks new 5 year strategic plan.....

http://t.co/z070riBh

 

Looming fund cuts endanger Amtrak's Keystone line

October 08, 2012|By Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff Writer

 

The popular Keystone rail service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Amtrak's fourth-busiest route, could face serious cutbacks next year because of reduced federal subsidies.  Amtrak will end its $8 million-a-year contribution for running the service on Oct. 1, 2013, to comply with a 2008 law that requires Amtrak to shift operating costs to the states, Amtrak spokeswoman Danelle Hunter said.

 

Pennsylvania, which already spends about $9 million a year to underwrite Keystone operations, has its own financial woes and is negotiating with Amtrak to avoid service cuts.

 

Story http://articles.philly.com/2012-10-08/business/34306866_1_amtrak-s-keystone-northeast-corridor-keystone-line

http://allaboardohio.org/2012/10/11/amtrak-breaks-ridership-records-nationwide-including-in-ohio/

 

Amtrak breaks ridership records nationwide, including on trains through Ohio

October 11, 2012

 

+ For Amtrak’s press release, route-by-route ridership data, and 21st century ridership trendline, CLICK HERE

 

Ohio highlights:

 

Lake Shore Limited (daily Chicago – Toledo – Cleveland – New York/Boston) up 4.3 percent to 403,700 rides*

 

Cardinal (thrice-weekly Chicago – Cincinnati – Washington DC – New York) up 4.9 percent to more than 116,373 rides**

 

Capitol Limited (daily Chicago – Toledo – Cleveland – Washington DC) up 0.1 percent to 226,884 rides***

______

 

* The Lake Shore Limited‘s Fiscal Year 2012 record tally of 403,700 rides is the fourth-highest ridership experienced by any single daily round-trip train in Amtrak’s nationwide system (each daily round trip has a train traveling in each direction — ie: eastbound and westbound — for a total of two trains per day). This is also the highest one-year ridership for this train which has been in continuous operation for 37 years by Amtrak since Ohio’s Congressional delegation urged that the Lake Shore Limited be started as Amtrak’s “Experimental Route for 1975.” Its 2012 ridership breaks Amtrak’s previous record for this train service of 387,986, set in 1986. As recently as about a decade ago, annual ridership had fallen to near 300,000 due to reliability and service quality issues.

 

All Aboard Ohio — namely Al Mladineo, Jim Stevenson, Bill Hutchison and others — worked closely with the Ohio Congressional delegation and Amtrak back in 1975 to bring the Lake Shore service to Ohio. We applaud Amtrak and members of Congress from both parties who are from communities along this route. They supported this train service that has produced steady ridership, but has been experiencing tremendous growth in popularity in the 21st century. With rising costs and stresses of driving and flying, we urge all stakeholders to pursue adding more trains along this route so that Ohioans served by the Lake Shore‘s stations in Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria and Cleveland can enjoy more conveniently scheduled arrivals and departures. If that happens, All Aboard Ohio is certain that more Ohioans will include Amtrak in their future travel plans.

 

** The same goes for the Cardinal route through Cincinnati and along the cross-river towns of Kentucky and West Virginia like Maysville, South Portsmouth, Ashland and Huntington. Ridership grew strongly on this route in 2012, even though it is served by only three trains per week in each direction. Amtrak has projected that ridership would nearly double on this route if it were able to offer daily service. However, more frequent service is hampered by freight train congestion in Virginia, between Clifton Forge and Charlottesville. The provision of one or more long passing sidings along this hilly stretch of railroad may be sufficient to relieve rail traffic congestion and provide daily passenger service on this route for the first time since 1981. All Aboard Ohio will continue to push for this strategic investment.

 

*** The Capitol Limited‘s ridership growth is limited in large part by the unchanging number of cars in its train despite its frequent sold-out conditions. Amtrak was able to add cars to lengthen Ohio’s other two trains, but not the Capitol which uses double-deck Superliner cars. All Aboard Ohio is hopeful that as bilevel cars are built and delivered for short-distance trains, especially in California, it may free up some cars for long-distance, frequently sold-out trains like the Capitol.

 

END

Dems tout Amtrak ridership record

By Keith Laing - 10/10/12 03:40 PM ET

   

A pair of New Jersey Democrats in the Senate touted Amtrak’s ridership record Wednesday, arguing that the new passenger high showed Congress should invest in the national passenger rail service instead of threatening to cut its funding.

 

Amtrak announced Wednesday that it carried 31.2 million passengers on its trains through the Sept. 30 end of the 2012 fiscal year.

 

Republicans in the House have argued for most of that time span that Amtrak’s rail service, which is subsidized by Congress, should be privatized. But Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Mendenez said Wednesday afternoon that the record ridership showed Amtrak needed more money from lawmakers, not less.

 

“The record number of travelers choosing Amtrak is a testament to the reliability and convenience of our national rail system,” Lautenberg said in a statement released by his office. 

 

Read more at: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/261309-dems-tout-amtrak-ridership-record

What's even more amazing is that the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland-New York/Boston "Lake Shore Limited" ridership has grown from 303,087 in Fiscal Year 2000 to 403,700 in FY2012.

 

That's a 33 percent increase!

Under "federal" passenger rail news, enjoy reading this updated list of planning and construction grants awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration in the last few years. Please note the total absence of Ohio projects or funding. Every state around us is doing something, even Indiana.......

 

http://www.fra.dot.gov/rpd/HSIPR/ProjectFunding.aspx

 

Ohio's decision to sit this out is not a very effective way for the state to keep its transportation system relevant and economy competitive in a nation and world where driving is on the decline and train/transit use is booming.

Every state around us is doing something, even Indiana.......

 

I don't see KY on the list.

Sorry, I keep forgetting about them! I guess I'm guilty of only looking east-west. And a little bit north.

That is alright, KJP.  Isn't KY the neighbor you'd just as soon not have?

If its always about money...I ponder the question again... How much productivity is LOST when we have to sit behind a wheel paying attention to traffic, or just sitting in it? Can anyone even begin to place in dollars and cents the amount of work time LOST...which equals companies/businesses losing revenue.... I know I lose a lot of productive time.  Much lost work time can be done on lap tops and with briefcases while on the trains!

What's even more amazing is that the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland-New York/Boston "Lake Shore Limited" ridership has grown from 303,087 in Fiscal Year 2000 to 403,700 in FY2012.

 

That's a 33 percent increase!

 

That's a huge increase and great news!

If its always about money...I ponder the question again... How much productivity is LOST when we have to sit behind a wheel paying attention to traffic, or just sitting in it? Can anyone even begin to place in dollars and cents the amount of work time LOST...which equals companies/businesses losing revenue.... I know I lose a lot of productive time.  Much lost work time can be done on lap tops and with briefcases while on the trains!

 

This number is well known among transportation policy wonks and has ranged from $67.5 billion to $100 billion in lost productivity per year, which represents nearly 1 percent of the nation's GDP. The organization that compiles much of this data is the respected Texas Transportation Institute. TTI finds that the annual cost of congestion for each driver was approximately $1,000 in very large cities and $200 in small cities.

 

Read more here:

http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/congestion-data/

 

 

And adding lane-miles is a financial loser. According to whom? How about the Federal Highway Administration:

 

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/fhwahop08039/cp_prim1_02.htm

 

"Construction costs for adding lanes in urban areas average $10–$15 million per lane mile. In general, the funding for this type of construction comes from taxes that drivers pay when buying gas for their vehicles. Overall, funds generated from gas taxes on an added lane during rush hours amount to only $60,000 a year (based on 10,000 vehicles per day during rush hours, paying fuel taxes amounting to about 2 cents per mile). This amount is grossly insufficient to pay for the lane addition."

Published: 10/26/2012

 

Getting Ohio on track

 

Nationwide, Amtrak had record ridership last year, carrying more than 31 million passengers — a 3.5 percent increase from 2010. Trains are especially attractive for destinations of fewer than 500 miles, with far lower fares than air travel and competitive commute times.

 

High gasoline prices have also increased ridership. Many passengers enjoy being able to work while traveling. Trains also reduce the demand for foreign oil, reduce congestion, and improve air quality by reducing traffic.

 

But Ohio has no active passenger rail program, even for planning. In a visit to Toledo this week, Amtrak Chairman Thomas Carper made clear the railroad isn’t interested in expanding in states that don’t support rail projects.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2012/10/26/Getting-Ohio-on-track.html

 

 

BTW, the above editorial followed this article about Amtrak Chairman Tom Carper who spoke in Toledo on Oct. 22......

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2012/10/23/Ohio-said-to-lack-passenger-rail-support.html

It's a year old, but worth seeing. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

 

http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x919544425/Whats-going-on-here-New-train-station-in-Alliance?photo=0

 

Amtrak put $1 million into that station. They are planning a similar investment at Elyria -- not at the Lorain County Transportation Center due to Norfolk Southern's legal department being unreasonable -- but to replace the Amshack on East Bridge Street. Amtrak's $1 million could be better spent at the transportation center to use the newly refurbished pedestrian tunnel under the tracks, and extend an elevator/stairwell up to track level along with a new platform or two.

On the busiest travel days of the year, Streetsblog writes......

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

As Highway and Air Travel Slump, Intercity Train Trips Increase

by Angie Schmitt

 

If your holiday plans happen to include taking the train to another city, you’re in good company. As has been widely reported, Amtrak has broken ridership records throughout the year. A total of 31.2 million passengers boarded Amtrak trains in the fiscal year that ended September 30; that’s an increase of 3.5 percent over the previous year.

 

What’s also interesting, as reported by our friends at All Aboard Ohio, is that as more people opt for intercity trains, highway driving is dipping and air travel is losing ground.

 

Over the past 12 years, Amtrak ridership has grown 46 percent [PDF]. Meanwhile, highway travel — excluding freight — is down 7 percent over that time. Total plane boardings grew just 3 percent over the same period, compared to U.S. population growth of 12 percent.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://dc.streetsblog.org/2012/11/21/as-intercity-train-trips-increase-highway-and-air-travel-slump/

GOP takes aim at strengthened Amtrak

By Keith Laing - 11/22/12 06:00 AM ET

   

House Republicans will hold new hearings next week on Amtrak, which Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) is targeting for funding cuts despite recent record ridership numbers.

 

The hearings are part of a year-long effort by Mica designed to prove Amtrak’s nearly $1 billion federal subsidy is a waste of taxpayer dollars.

 

The latest GOP hearings will come after a Thanksgiving holiday that is usually Amtrak's busiest weekend of the year, and after the national rail passenger carrier has earned good reviews in New York and New Jersey for its response to Hurricane Sandy.

 

Amtrak supporters believe the company has boosted its political standing.

 

Read more at  http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/269117-gop-takes-aim-at-strengthened-amtrak

Want to privatize Amtrak? Expand short-line RR 45g tax credits to passenger rail, including operating shortfall$ incurred for public benefit.

 

http://allaboardohio.org/2011/03/02/federal-report-transportation-free-market-is-side-tracked/

 

Not like the GOP will actually consider a rational idea for privatizing passenger rail. Most of those trumpeting "privatization" like Mica and Shuster are more interested in eliminating alternatives to driving to keep the sinking ship (aka: the Highway Trust Fund) afloat a little longer.

Excerpted from a larger story on cnn.com:

 

Americans are increasingly embracing train travel. Need proof? More passengers rode Amtrak this year than ever before in its 41-year history, the train company said. And there's no reason to believe the trend won't continue, say experts.

 

Better rail service and increased funding offers America its best chance in generations to get off the highways and get on the rails, according to analysts.

 

Regional inter-city rail systems in California, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia and elsewhere have been invigorated by 2009's federal stimulus legislation, said transportation expert Yonah Freemark, who runs TransportPolitic.com.

 

"Those investments are going to be built out and people are going to see better service on inter-city rail lines across the country," he said." And you'll see increasing ridership." That's good news for the nation's energy situation. Rail travel uses 20% less energy than traveling by car, according to the ASCE.

 

Read full story at:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/27/travel/future-travel/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

GOP takes aim at strengthened Amtrak

By Keith Laing - 11/22/12 06:00 AM ET

   

 

So the Congressional committee leaders are asking Amtrak food service workers why they should be paid more than fast-food employees.

 

So when do Amtrak food service workers get to ask the same question of Congress?

A couple of "beefs" with a few news articles posted here:

 

I hate when railroads are referred to by the media as "train companies."  Do they ever call American Airlines or Delta  "Plane Companies?"

 

In what world is Amtrak "strengthened?"  Sure, they are hauling more people then at any time in their history and they are doing it with far less subsidy per passenger but I would hesitate to call a federal operation that is never sure if it will survive the next Congress or Administration "strengthened."

 

Perhaps Amtrak's "strength" arises from the fact that there is not a President-Elect Romney!

Up to $10 billion for rail is included in a $50 billion infrastructure ask by President Obama in the fiscal cliff negotiations. Proposed is $4 billion for HSR, $4 billion for Amtrak and $2 billion for TIGER that can go for rail...

 

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20121203/BLOGS02/121209982?template=mobile&X-IgnoreUserAgent=1

http://buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121204/CITYANDREGION/121209691

 

Agreement reached on N.Y.-Toronto train link

N.Y.-Toronto link through Falls set

BY: RICHARD BALDWIN / NEWS NIAGARA REPORTER

 

 

 

NIAGARA FALLS – The continuation of railroad passenger service between New York and Toronto via Niagara Falls has been assured with an agreement to transfer rail operations on the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge to Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.

 

The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, operator of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge and two other bridges across the Niagara River between the United States and Canada, announced Monday that the passenger railroads of the two countries took over responsibility for operation and maintenance of the track on the upper level of the bridge effective Saturday.

 

The agreement means that the Maple Leaf passenger train that uses the bridge to make a daily round trip between New York and Toronto is continuing without interruption. The train also serves St. Catharines and Niagara Falls in Ontario as well as Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Depew, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York and intermediate cities in New York State.

 

Because of recent service reductions by VIA Rail Canada, the Maple Leaf is the only remaining daily passenger train between Niagara Falls and Toronto.

 

The upper level of the two-deck Whirlpool Rapids Bridge carries railroad traffic while the lower deck carries NEXUS-only passenger vehicles. The Maple Leaf is the only train currently using the rail portion of the steel arch bridge across the Niagara River gorge between Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Niagara Falls, Ont.

Amtrak service to Norfolk will provide a much-needed option for Northeast Corridor travelers, Virginia rail department says

 

Amtrak

By Angela Cotey, Associate Editor

 

The commonwealth of Virginia plans to soon expand Amtrak service to Norfolk, and if recent experience is any indication, there will be no shortage of riders lining up to take the train.

 

Congestion on the Interstate 95 corridor along the eastern seaboard continues to mount, making automobile trips into major metropolitan areas of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) increasingly long and stressful. That's why the commonwealth of Virginia launched a new intercity passenger-rail service to Lynchburg in October 2009 and another one to Richmond in July 2010. The state-supported service to Norfolk, scheduled to launch Dec. 12, will add yet another travel option for a growing area of the commonwealth.

 

Home to nearly 1.5 million people, the Norfolk area has the highest population density in the commonwealth without access to an intercity passenger train, says Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Director Thelma Drake. Norfolk also is home to the world's largest naval base and a number of defense contractors, and has the highest active duty military population in the country — any number of which might need to travel to the nation's capital at a moment's notice.

 

Read more at:  http://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/article/Amtrak-service-to-Norfolk-will-provide-a-muchneeded-option-for-Northeast-Corridor-travelers-Virginia-rail-department-says--33555

12/11/2012 12:00:00 PM   

 

Amtrak set ridership, ticket revenue records in Thanksgiving period

 

Amtrak's ridership and ticket revenue reached record highs during the Thanksgiving Day period, which ran from Nov. 20-26.

 

Amtrak transported a record 737,537 riders, up 1.9 percent compared with 2011 Thanksgiving period, when the prior record was set. In addition, on Nov. 21, the day before Thanksgiving, Amtrak posted the single-busiest day in its history at 140,691 riders.

 

Ticket revenue in the period soared 8.4 percent to a best-ever $56.1 million, Amtrak officials said in a prepared statement.

 

Read more at:  http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=33626

Amtrak service to Norfolk will provide a much-needed option for Northeast Corridor travelers, Virginia rail department says

 

Amtrak

By Angela Cotey, Associate Editor

 

The commonwealth of Virginia plans to soon expand Amtrak service to Norfolk, and if recent experience is any indication, there will be no shortage of riders lining up to take the train.

 

Congestion on the Interstate 95 corridor along the eastern seaboard continues to mount, making automobile trips into major metropolitan areas of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) increasingly long and stressful. That's why the commonwealth of Virginia launched a new intercity passenger-rail service to Lynchburg in October 2009 and another one to Richmond in July 2010. The state-supported service to Norfolk, scheduled to launch Dec. 12, will add yet another travel option for a growing area of the commonwealth.

 

Home to nearly 1.5 million people, the Norfolk area has the highest population density in the commonwealth without access to an intercity passenger train, says Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Director Thelma Drake. Norfolk also is home to the world's largest naval base and a number of defense contractors, and has the highest active duty military population in the country — any number of which might need to travel to the nation's capital at a moment's notice.

 

Read more at:  http://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/article/Amtrak-service-to-Norfolk-will-provide-a-muchneeded-option-for-Northeast-Corridor-travelers-Virginia-rail-department-says--33555

 

And here is the first arrival in Norfolk....

OK, who wants to document Amtrak circa 2012?

 

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/12/photographing-dawn-amtrak/4148/

 

So the GOP blasts Amtrak for going too slow, then denies it high-speed rail $$ while blessing its road/air competition with billions of tax dollars! How do these guys come to these conclusions??

 

http://mobile.thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/railroads/272951-amtrak-to-purchase-new-rail-cars-for-acela-service?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=transportation

Smart move by Amtrak. Buying all-new trains should compensate for Acela's greatest weakness which is its limited ability to tilt on the curving tracks between New York and Boston. The right train can get running times down to three hours or even less...

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2012/12/13/amtraks-220mph-nyc-dc-train-service-one-step-closer/

Smart move by Amtrak. Buying all-new trains should compensate for Acela's greatest weakness which is its limited ability to tilt on the curving tracks between New York and Boston. The right train can get running times down to three hours or even less...

 

http://blogs.wsj.com/corporate-intelligence/2012/12/13/amtraks-220mph-nyc-dc-train-service-one-step-closer/

 

New trains that have to meet FRA collision standards on a PTC line are a waste of money, it is time to change the rules that require passenger trains to be much heavier than they need to be with one that realizes the effect of advance signal management systems , and the superior accident avoidance performance of lighter trains.