November 17, 200816 yr California Capitol Corridor Continues Ridership Gains Northern California Corridor ridership on the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins continues double-digit growth, despite economic slowdown and falling gas prices, while the Pacific Surfliner ridership levelled off after months of growth. Ridership and revenue results for the month of October 2008 (the first of the new Federal Fiscal Year) remain strong even at a time when gasoline prices have fallen dramatically, and the economy is slowing down as well. Either the comfort and attractiveness of the trains is keeping the growth going, or the fares are still the best bargain in the travel industry, or maybe a bit of both. Of course, the sustained on-time performance record may have more to do with the ridership gains than either of the other reasons. Capitol Corridor (October 2008): 157,353 passengers +16.8% vs. 2007 This is a new October record, and keeps the Capitol Corridor third busiest route in the country, by a wide margin Passengers for 12 months of FY 2007-08: 1,716,159, breaking the 1.7 million barrier! . (last 12 months: +17.16%) $2,099,626 October revenue +19.5% vs. 2007 The farebox recovery revenue-to-cost ratio for October is 46.9%, reflecting the increased Amtrak cost base due to labor contracts and fuel adjustments On-time performance for October 'delivered to the customer' was: 91.4% , reflecting sustained Union Pacific performance at 99% and continued Amtrak operational performance. This is a good start to the Fiscal Year, and performance remains well above the premier Acela Express service on the Northeast Corridor. This is the best performance of any Amtrak-operated intercity passenger rail service in the country, whether Amtrak-dispatched or freight railroad dispatched. __________________________________________________ Pacific Surfliners (October 2008): 211,768 passengers -3.2% vs. October 2007, but still the second busiest route in the nation, by a wide margin $3,677,653 October revenue: +3.1% vs. 2007 On-time performance for October: 79.2% __________________________________________________ San Joaquins (October 2008): 79,223 passengers +22.6% vs. October 2007 $2,239,224 October revenue: +7.8% vs. 2007 On-time performance for October: 85.5% __________________________________________________________ Total California Intercity Corridor Ridership for October 2008: 448,344 Total Northeast Corridor 'Spine' ridership for October 2008: 927,331 For October 2008, the California Corridors are 48.4% of Northeast Corridor 'Spine' Boston-Washington ridership Total Northeast Corridor ridership for October 2008 with branches to Springfield, MA; Albany, NY and Harrisburg, PA: 1,157,460 For October 2008, the California Corridors are 38.7% of the total Northeast Corridor ridership Eugene K. Skoropowski Managing Director Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
November 18, 200816 yr I can't get this to format properly but here is the link http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/18/2008-11-18_mtas_planned_cuts_include_everything_fro-2.html
November 18, 200816 yr Well, imagining what NY would look like with expanded transit was fun while it lasted, but time to brace for the opposite... http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/18/2008-11-18_mtas_planned_cuts_include_everything_fro-2.html MTA's planned cuts include everything from station agents to entire train lines BY PETE DONOHUE DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Tuesday, November 18th 2008, 4:00 AM Savulich/News With fewer trains arriving, there likely will be more crowded platforms (and trains) in the future...
November 18, 200816 yr Author MTA's planned cuts include everything from station agents to entire train lines I wonder if Kucinich will blame the Euclid Corridor for this, too? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 200816 yr thanks strap. I posted that earlier but couldn't get the formating right. I hope they don't cut trains. I use the C a lot and the G, Z & M have already had significant cuts, in teh time I've been in NYC. The W is a new train line, it's only been running since 2002.
November 18, 200816 yr "- Expanded subway loading guidelines to allow for more crowding of trains." I'm curious what this is referring to. Although there's really nothing the MTA can do to cram more people onto the the lines I ride to work.
November 18, 200816 yr "- Expanded subway loading guidelines to allow for more crowding of trains." I'm curious what this is referring to. Although there's really nothing the MTA can do to cram more people onto the the lines I ride to work. I know. I take the 1 A, B, C or D. The 1 and the one is by far the worst added to that I have to transfer for the 2 or 3 and usually I have to let three or four trains pass because they are crowded. This on top of already having to let a 2 from the Bronx pass so I can wait for a less crowded 3. The A/D a close second as they are coming from further uptown and the Bronx and on any given day when the train doors open, all you see is a wall of backs. The B/C are sooooooo crowded and slow and if they cancel the C, the B will be unbearable. I give RTA good marks on managing their budget but the MTA is just a corrupt inept business. My backup is the M7 or M10 bus. Which I are 45 minute to 1:15 rides. This is going to be a nightmare.
November 18, 200816 yr Author I'm curious what this is referring to. Although there's really nothing the MTA can do to cram more people onto the the lines I ride to work. Oh yes they can.... :-D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axwMxUBL_ws "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 200816 yr I'm curious what this is referring to. Although there's really nothing the MTA can do to cram more people onto the the lines I ride to work. Oh yes they can.... :-D In the back of mind, I think I was hoping someone would post that...
November 18, 200816 yr I wish we had those problems! No you don't. I love riding the train in Cleveland. Cars are full, but not overcrowded or spilling out the doors and people aren't overtly rude. In NYC...its a whole 'nother beast and I hate it.
November 19, 200816 yr Author http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature3-11-19 November 18, 2008 Illinois Commerce Commission approves crossing upgrades The Illinois Commerce Commission has granted approval for grade crossing upgrades at several locations around the state. ICC OKed the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates controlled by constant warning time circuitry at the South Avenue grade crossing of the Norfolk Southern track in Bluford, Jefferson County. The total estimated cost for the new automatic warning devices is $236,603. Assistance from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund will be used to pay 95 percent of the signal installation costs, less a lump-sum Village contribution of $2,500, in an amount not to exceed $222,398. NS will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices. ICC granted approval for the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates controlled by constant warning time circuitry at the Kenco Road crossing of the Illinois Central’s track near Alma, Marion County. The total estimated cost for the safety improvements is $185,460. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the installation costs, not to exceed $176,190. The railroad will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs. ICC approved the installation of automatic flashing light signals and gates at the 70th Street grade crossing of CSX Transportation’s track in Long Creek, Macon County. The total estimated cost to install automatic flashing light signals and gates is $163,242. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the warning device installation costs, not to exceed $155,080. CSXT will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs. ICC OKed the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates controlled by constant warning time circuitry, approach grade improvements, and warning sign installation at the N. 15th Avenue grade crossing of NS track near Litchfield, Montgomery County. The total estimated cost for the new automatic warning devices is $248,546. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the signal installation costs, in an amount not to exceed $236,119. NS will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs related to the new automatic warning devices. North Litchfield Township will pay 100 percent of the costs for the highway approach improvements to the N. 15th Avenue crossing. The Illinois Department of Transportation will pay 100 percent of the costs to install and maintain railroad advance warning signs on Old U.S. Route 66, which runs closely parallel to the N. 15th Avenue crossing. ICC approved the installation of automatic flashing light signals and gates and improvement of the highway approaches at the CH 21 grade crossing of the Evansville Western Railway’s track located near Maunie, White County. The total estimated cost to install the new automatic flashing light signals and gates is $149,072. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the warning device installation costs, not to exceed $141,618. Evansville Western will pay the remaining warning device installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs Also, ICC authorized the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates at the Norton Road highway-rail grade crossing of the Illinois Central track near Odin, Marion County. The total estimated cost for the safety improvements is $168,530. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the installation costs, not to exceed $160,104. The Illinois Central will pay all remaining installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs. ICC approved the installation of new automatic flashing light signals and gates, the widening and reconstruction of the crossing surface, and improvement of the east highway approach at the Broom Road crossing of the Illinois Central track near Kinmundy, Marion County. The total estimated cost for the signal improvements is $158,000. Assistance from the GCPF will be used to pay 95 percent of the installation costs, not to exceed $150,100. The railroad will pay all remaining signal installation costs, as well as all future operating and maintenance costs for the new signals. The railroad also will pay 100 percent of the surface widening and reconstruction costs, as well as all future maintenance costs for the new crossing surface. All work is to be completed by Nov. 13, 2009. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 200816 yr Author http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature2-11-19 November 18, 2008 Detroit seeks to combine two LRT plans into one Two separate plans for light rail transit in Detroit seem likely to evolve into one cohesive effort, resolving ongoing political conflicts and streamlining efforts to secure funding for LRT along Woodward Avenue. More at link above: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 200816 yr I'm so jealous!!!!!! Maybe Cleveland will get that new Amtrak station we always talk about someday..... I also like that they combined Greyhound and Amtrak..... http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/8EEA2570476B96EE862575060015ACD0?OpenDocument Amtrak begins using Gateway Center in St. Louis ST. LOUIS -- Amtrak trains began using the new Gateway Transportation Center in downtown St. Louis early today, marking the end to the "temporary" buildings passengers used for 30 years. More at link above:
November 20, 200816 yr State leaders look to tackle MARC issue Officials are mulling potential service changes. By Jenni Vincent, Journal, November 19, 2008 MARTINSBURG - While in Charleston for this week's legislative interim session, Sen. John Unger, D-Berkeley, met with state Secretary of Transportation Paul Mattox to discuss a proposed reduction in MARC Train service to the Eastern Panhandle. Click headline for more:
November 20, 200816 yr here's something i saw today that is a little different in the world of commuting. rioc, the entity that runs ri, is looking at new roosevelt island tram cars. which one do you like? more here: http://rooseveltislander.blogspot.com/2008/11/roosevelt-island-tram-design-cabin.html this is the current tram Tramway Cabin Design choices are CARVATECH, GANGLOFF, SIGMA & SIGMA SQUARE.
November 21, 200816 yr Wait a minute, is Sigma to be the hip-hop tram? Uh, I don't get it. --- I would choose either Carvatech or Gangloff, although the latter looks close to what they already have.
November 22, 200816 yr Wait a minute, is Sigma to be the hip-hop tram? Uh, I don't get it. The blacked out windows... Ah never mind, bad joke to begin with; move on.
November 22, 200816 yr True enough, but the same should apply to specialty destinations like the Lake Front area. Extending a rail line beyond that area and into one where people actually live would seem to generate far better and steadier ridership. In the case of the Water Front Line, the flow of population from the Eastern burbs could justify turning the site into an actual intermodal transit center for the North side of downtown Cleveland. I hear KJP's point. Even here in Philly, at a much busier airport than Hopkins, the percentage of riders to airport isn't huge. But I think noozer hits on something larger: while airports are sexy destinations, the wide areas often served in addition to the airport itself is what makes these extensions viable. I thought Cleveland's airport extension was really successful, at least initially, because the Brookpark and Puritas stations drew from a wide area of SW burbs, particularly with the stations being adjacent to I-71 and I-480, which operate as long-distant Rapid feeders ... As to Pittsburgh, I agree with the Allegheny Institute guy: paying the huge expense to tunnel under the river makes no sense for such a stubby extension without a plan to extend to Pittsburgh International. At least with the Waterfront Line, which absolutely should be extended along the shoreline east to Collinwood and Euclid, it’s 50 –odd million$ cost is chump change compared to $435M the Steel City is spending to tunnel its lines for an even shorter distance than the WL (1.2 miles compared to W.L.’s 2.2). ... As to conservatives and transit, Paul Weyrich one of the fathers of the current conservative movement, is (unusually) an avid transit buff who strongly, and correctly, believes conservatives should get off the: "transit only benefit the poor/minorities" B.S. to realize good transit benefits our free market system by encouraging more efficient cities with, among other things, more relaxed, on-time managers and workers.
November 29, 200816 yr Omaha council split as streetcar study advances www.railwayage.com Omaha, Neb.'s city council has committed $350,000 for a new master plan that includes $40,000 to evaluate streetcar lines, but the 4-3 vote shows the idea still hasn't convinced a substantial portion of the city's population. More at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml
December 1, 200816 yr Minneapolis suburbs plan development ahead of LRT www.railwayage.com Minnesota's proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit line from Minneapolis to suburban Eden Prairie is by no means a done deal, but four municipalities--Eden Prairie itself, St.Louis Park, Hopkins, and Minnetonka--are anticipating its arrival by planing future economic development and zoning. More at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml
December 2, 200816 yr Lawmakers mull train options Letter says $1 fare boost could go a long way to keeping MARC service By Naomi Smoot, Journal, December 2, 2008 CHARLES TOWN - Eastern Panhandle legislators met Monday evening to come up with a plan to save MARC Train No. 883. Click headline to read more:
December 2, 200816 yr Author http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature5-12-2 December 1, 2008 Austin weighs a second passenger rail line Austin, Tex., remains on course to open its 32-mile diesel light rail transit (DLRT) Red Line next March, linking the state capital with Leander, but members of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Monday began reviewing plans for a second line to link Austin, Manor, and Elgin, Tex. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.rtands.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature6-12-2 December 1, 2008 TARC to study commuter rail service in Louisville The Transit Authority of River City plans to spend as much as $150,000 to hire a consultant and study the possibility of establishing commuter rail service between Louisville and points southwest of the city, including Fort Knox, local newspapers report. While it's unclear how much a commuter line would cost, and how popular it might be, the study "is the next logical step" in assessing alternative modes of transportation for the region, said TARC Executive Director Barry Barker. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 3, 200816 yr december is break out the vintage collection season for the mta! :mrgreen: December 2, 2008 Vintage Buses Rolled Out to Match Vintage Subway Cars If you rode the V line on Sunday, you may have lucked out with a seat on one of the old 1930s-era subway cars deployed as part of the MTA's holiday train revival (note: the old subway cars run every sunday in december on the 'v' line). But there's nostalgia rolling above ground too! Buses from the '60s and '70s are now operating during morning and evening rush hours on the M8, M14, M20, M23, M34, M42, M57 and M79 lines, and the Q32 in Queens, through January 2nd. A spokesman for New York City Transit tells the Post that while the older buses have less window space and weaker engines, they actually get better gas mileage than some modern buses: three miles per gallon of diesel, as opposed to two miles per gallon today. (Hybrids get about four miles per gallon.) Of course, the fare isn't vintage; a city bus cost 20 cents per ride until 1969, but these old timers have been retrofitted to take you $2 via MetroCard. http://gothamist.com/2008/12/02/vintage_buses_rolled_out_to_match_v.php#comments
December 3, 200816 yr ^Exciting. I'll be in NJ and NY during the last week of the year. I hope to go out of my way to ride the V on Sunday the 28th. :)
December 3, 200816 yr ^Exciting. I'll be in NJ and NY during the last week of the year. I hope to go out of my way to ride the V on Sunday the 28th. :) Just go to any local stop on sixth avenue and have at it!
December 3, 200816 yr ^Exciting. I'll be in NJ and NY during the last week of the year. I hope to go out of my way to ride the V on Sunday the 28th. :) I certainly hope you will be able to find time to go to Times Square for a small gathering of New Years Festivities. :-) You can't be in New York then and not go...
December 3, 200816 yr ^Exciting. I'll be in NJ and NY during the last week of the year. I hope to go out of my way to ride the V on Sunday the 28th. :) I certainly hope you will be able to find time to go to Times Square for a small gathering of New Years Festivities. :) You can't be in New York then and not go... Honey avoid TS. Its to "controlled" now. Its no longer fun. but thas for another thread.
December 3, 200816 yr ^Exciting. I'll be in NJ and NY during the last week of the year. I hope to go out of my way to ride the V on Sunday the 28th. :) I certainly hope you will be able to find time to go to Times Square for a small gathering of New Years Festivities. :-) You can't be in New York then and not go... Oh, I have quite the trip ahead of me. Train from Cincy to NYC on Xmas Eve, commuter train from NYC to New Brunswick, NJ (near where I'll be for the 5 days during that week), commuter back to NYC, bus from NYC to Rochester and back, train from NYC to Chicago, and a bus from Chicago to Cincinnati. In short, I'll be in Cincinnati for New Year's Eve...by 90 minutes. ;)
December 4, 200816 yr I can't believe they are sereiously considering a commuter line between Louisville and Fort Knox.
December 4, 200816 yr Metro gets fed OK for Dulles extension Wednesday, December 3, 2008 - 4:44 PM EST | Modified: Thursday, December 4, 2008 - 10:30 AM Washington Business Journal - by Tierney Plumb Staff Reporter The $5.2 billion, 23.1-mile extension of Metrorail got the OK from the Federal Transit Administration Wednesday. Read more at: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/12/01/daily64.html
December 4, 200816 yr Author That's big news there in DC. Great news, actually. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 200816 yr On ten separate occasions during September, trains operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between South Bend and Chicago were delayed by signal failures caused by theft of signal system cables. Other South Shore news from the September 26, 2008 NICTD board meeting minutes may be found here. All the new bi-level cars should be in the US by now, with the first two slated for delivery to Michigan City from the assembly plant in Milwaukee in late November, to begin testing in December.
December 4, 200816 yr Author On ten separate occasions during September, trains operated by Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between South Bend and Chicago were delayed by signal failures caused by theft of signal system cables. Too bad the fuckers didn't try to steal the overhead electric wires.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 200816 yr I can't believe they are sereiously considering a commuter line between Louisville and Fort Knox. Fort Knox is part of the national base realignment program, and because of other base closures and consolidations, Fort Knox is seeing a massive influx of new residents... to the tune of 6,000 in the next three years.The corridor from Louisville to Elizabethtown is becoming heavily populated, and this is a natural focus point for a rail line.
December 5, 200816 yr Too bad the f$&kers didn't try to steal the overhead electric wires.... That thought occurred to me, too. With 1500-volt catenary just a few feet away, it shouldn't be terribly difficult to devise a scheme to disincentivize antisocial behavor by implementing Darwinian concepts.
December 5, 200816 yr Author "Well geez, that's some high-quality copper wire up there that isn't energized this time of night. What kind of man are you that you can't set up an aluminum ladder to reach those wires? I'm sure your brave buddies are willing to hold the ladder steady, too..." "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 5, 200816 yr Too bad the f$&kers didn't try to steal the overhead electric wires.... That thought occurred to me, too. With 1500-volt catenary just a few feet away, it shouldn't be terribly difficult to devise a scheme to disincentivize antisocial behavor by implementing Darwinian concepts. Give them time.
December 9, 200816 yr Author December 8, 2008 Kansas commits funds to Amtrak extension study Kansas state transportation officials have committed $200,000 for the state's portion of a study to evaluate extension of Amtrak's Heartland Flyer north of Oklahoma City to a new terminus in Kansas City, Mo. http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature1-12-9 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 9, 200816 yr seatless transit? ugh. coming soon --- prepare to stand a lot more! Seatless subway cars debut in Boston and trial program's chugging this way BY BEVERLY FORD and PETE DONOHUE DAILY NEWS WRITERS Tuesday, December 9th 2008, 12:52 AM A nearly seatless subway car debuted Monday in Boston - months before a similar pilot program launches in New York - and Beantown straphangers were unfazed. "I haven't gotten a seat in the last three months, so it makes no difference to me," Richard Sullivan, commuting on Boston's Red Line, said. "Besides, people who need seats can always get on a different car." More at: commentary: http://curbed.com/archives/2008/12/09/will_anyone_notice_subway_cars_without_seats.php
December 9, 200816 yr seatless transit? ugh. coming soon --- prepare to stand a lot more! Most modern streetcars are seatless or primarily seatless. But streetcars operate at a slower speed and people usually aren't riding them as far as passengers of a subway.
December 10, 200816 yr 12/10/2008 11:34 AM Business Leaders Ask State To Spend $12 Billion On Infrastructure By: NY1 News Labor and business leaders are calling on Governor David Paterson and state lawmakers to spend $12 billion rebuilding roads, parks, and mass transit. news video: http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/90380/business-leaders-ask-state-to-spend--12-billion-on-infrastructure/Default.aspx?ap=1&Flash
December 10, 200816 yr approved! now thats tri-county/business/gov cooperation :clap: Tuesday, December 9, 2008 Metro Detroit mass transit plan OK'd Jim Lynch / The Detroit News DETROIT -- Top elected officials from the Metro Detroit area gave unanimous approval Monday to a regional mass transportation plan linking the three surrounding counties to the downtown heart of the Motor City. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081209/METRO/812090374
December 10, 200816 yr Dec 10, 2008 10:36 am US/Eastern East-West Light Rail Line Gets Backing Reporting Gigi Barnett BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―The push to create a light rail line that connects the east to west here in Baltimore is gaining more support. http://wjz.com/local/light.rail.east.2.884010.html
December 10, 200816 yr ^^So did they just approve a regional transit plan in Detroit, or is there actual money on the table to build this thing?
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