See the thread on Cleveland - Youngstown - Pittsburgh. This corridor, along with five other Ohio Hub corridors, will be the subject of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Study to begin in a few months to elevate these corridors to a funding-ready status. The PEIS will take 18-24 months, but that is only the first phase of planning. The typical turnaround time from the start of planning to start-up of service is 10 years. Perhaps that could be accelerated if an interim 79 mph service is begun ala 3C "Quick Start."

Perhaps that could be accelerated if an interim 79 mph service is begun ala 3C "Quick Start."

 

No thank you.

 

But what do you mean by "start-up?"  Much of this is an existing Amtrak corridor, with trains running right now as we speak... and somehow it's 10 years behind 3C, which is entirely hypothetical?  And we're prioritizing service through Lima equally with NYC-CHI and CLE-PIT?  Really?  I don't understand addressing five different Ohio Hub lines together, when one in particular is obviously the most important.

 

I've looked at the other thread, and it doesn't answer these priority and coordination questions.  In fact, all the late 2009 posts there lead one to believe that hi-speed Youngstown service would be the highest priority, not maybe 10 years after 3C.  So how is it now still languishing at square one, 10 years away from shovel-ready?  When 3C got awarded the funding, all the hopeful Y-town talk dried up and now it's being discussed as if Amtrak goes nowhere near there several times a day.

 

Despite my clear incredulity, these are questions and not accusations.  I get asked these questions from time to time (being from Youngstown and pro-rail) and I would like to be able to do a better job answering them when they come up.

These are the corridors/segments to be subjected to the environmental impact studies:

 

> Cleveland - Pittsburgh

> Cleveland - Toledo

> Toledo - Detroit

> Toledo - Columbus

> Cincinnati - Columbus

> Columbus - Cleveland

 

I don't understand addressing five different Ohio Hub lines together, when one in particular is obviously the most important.

 

Obvious? To whom? One thing that harms 3C's revenues, costs and political support is the lack of a systems approach to planning. This EIS will address that.

 

And if you wonder why a route to Chicago isn't in this, it's because Indiana's concurrence and support is needed. The other states (Michigan and Pennsylvania) have provided political and financial support to developing the Ohio Hub study process.

 

So how is it now still languishing at square one, 10 years away from shovel-ready? When 3C got awarded the funding, all the hopeful Y-town talk dried up and now it's being discussed as if Amtrak goes nowhere near there several times a day.

 

Despite my clear incredulity, these are questions and not accusations. I get asked these questions from time to time (being from Youngstown and pro-rail) and I would like to be able to do a better job answering them when they come up.

 

Because it routinely takes 10 years to go through the planning process necessary to be eligible for federal funds (I swear I've written this somewhere before) for a project that requires a major land use change -- building a high-speed track next to an active rail corridor, or turning an abandoned rail corridor into one offering 110 mph passenger rail services. If you want trains sooner (3-5 years), then an interim passenger rail service ala 3C "Quick Start" is what you'll get. And that's probably what will happen since there is never enough funding, political will, or urban support systems (station-area development, extensive connecting local transit etc) to go from zero straight to 110 mph. I'm pretty sure I've written that before, too.

 

P.S., Amtrak doesn't travel anywhere in Ohio several times per day, least of all in or near Youngstown.

Thank you, one last curiosity on this: 

 

I know you've written about the lead times before.  What I really want to know is why do we still have 10 years of lead time remaining on Cle-Pitt but next to none left on 3C?  This gives the impression that next to nothing has been done up till now to advance the Cle-Pitt line... if not next to nothing in the absolute, then certainly in comparison with 3C. 

 

Was this an ORDC decision?  Based on that statute from 1994?  And how, if they so desired, could Valley residents, and /or Akron-Canton residents, best express their wishes to the Ohio rail powers that be?  Recall that the Valley didn't get a casino either... people there are feeling a bit unloved right now.

 

We appear to fundamentally disagree on the relationship between speed and "urban support systems" and I don't intend to resolve that issue here.  Thank you once again.   

Because no planning has started for CLE-PIT that would make that corridor eligible for federal construction funds whereas such planning has been done for the 79 mph 3C "Quick Start"

the new penn station project is slowly moving forward:

 

 

 

$83M for Penn project

 

By TOM TOPOUSIS and REBECCA HARSHBARGER

 

Last Updated: 4:16 AM, February 17, 2010

 

Posted: 3:30 AM, February 17, 2010

 

Sidetracked for nearly four years, an ambitious plan to convert the Farley Post Office into a train station named after Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan got a jump-start yesterday when the federal government kicked in $83.3 million in stimulus funds to put the project back on track.

 

The funding gives the state the $267 million it needs to begin Moynihan Station's first phase, which will create new access to rail platforms beneath the post office and expanded rail facilities in Penn Station across the street.

 

"We've got the money, now let's get to work," said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), who has been the chief backer of the project in Washington since Moynihan left office in 2000.

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/for_penn_project_rsmhUDy2kk2ajx9on8q3VN#ixzz0jU4iZ0mP

 

 

The Farley Post Office project may have been side-tracked for four years, but it's been discussed since long before that. I hope they can follow through with something appropriate to a city of New York's stature. The sad remnant of once-grand Penn Station is a disgraceful portal for a city of NY's stature; other world-class cities have nicer stations for their subways.

Board sees opportunity in Exeter train station expansion

3/30/2010 By Jennifer Feals

[email protected]

 

March 29, 2010 1:50 PM EXETER -- The Planning Board is behind a grant request to purchase the Exeter train station's former baggage building with an eye towards constructing a transportation center.

 

The application for funding through the state Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program is due April 1. Members of the Exeter Train Committee approached the Planning Board on Thursday, March 25, with their grant proposal. The board approved the request.

 

“One of the reasons I moved to Exeter was because of the train,” said Planning Board member Carol Sideris. “What's most appealing to me is that you are talking about a long-term plan to develop this area.

 

Full story at: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20100329-NEWS-100329814

Colorado leaders 'connecting the dots' on high-speed rail

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 

 

A study of possible high-speed, intercity rail for Colorado has found that lines between Fort Collins and Pueblo and between Denver International Airport and Eagle County have the best "operating and cost-benefit results" of the options evaluated, The Denver Post reports.

 

The full system carries a $21.1-billion price tag, but Harry Dale, chairman of the Rocky Mountain Rail Authority, which produced the study, said the rail system would probably be built in phases. The study, which is available at rockymountainrail.org, said the most feasible option for intercity rail in Colorado assumes passengers would pay fares averaging about 35 cents a mile, with one-way trips from downtown Denver to Vail in the Interstate 70 corridor and from Denver to Pueblo in the Interstate 25 corridor, with each trip costing about $40.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/colorado-leaders-connecting-the-dots-on-high-speed-rail.html

Note two things about this....

Point 1: Eighty percent of funding for this expanded service is coming from the same federal grant program Ohio hopes to tap for 80 percent of the cost of operating its 3C trains.

Point 2: North Carolina started out with one train in 1991 which took four hours to travel the 173 miles between Charlotte and Raleigh. While the cruising speed was 79 mph, its frequent slow sections and station stops reduced the average speed to 42 mph. NCDOT spent about $200 million over the past 20 years to reduce travel times by more than 45 minutes. More investments are being made to make further travel time reductions....

___________________

 

News Release

N.C. Department of Transportation Rail Division

1553 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699

919-733-7245 Phone 919-715-6580 Fax

www.bytrain.org

 

Date: March 30, 2010 Contact: Joan Bagherpour, 919-733-7245 x261

Cell: 919-218-9004

Release No.: Distribution: Statewide

 

NCDOT Announces Two Additional Mid-Day Passenger Trains

Between Raleigh and Charlotte to Begin June 5

Deputy FRA Administrator to Address N.C. Board of Transportation

On Sustainable and Livable Communities

 

Raleigh— State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti today announced that two additional trains

providing mid-day service between Raleigh and Charlotte will begin on Saturday, June 5, increasing

the state-sponsored passenger rail service to six trains operating daily between the state’s two largest

cities.

 

“As our population continues to grow, we must provide people with travel alternatives,” said Conti.

“Train travel also provides environmental and energy benefits through reduced congestion and

improved air quality.”

 

Currently, the state sponsors four trains daily, the Piedmont and Carolinian, as North Carolina’s

Amtrak. Each train makes a morning and evening run between Raleigh and Charlotte, a trip that is auto

competitive at 3 hours and 7 minutes, including intermediate stops at Cary, Durham, Burlington,

Greensboro, High Point, Salisbury and Kannapolis.

 

The new service will add two additional trains in the mid-day giving business travelers, families and

college students more options to travel via rail. (See attached schedule.)

 

The Carolinian also provides daily service to Selma, Wilson, Rocky Mount, to Richmond, Virginia

and to the northeast including Washington D.C. and New York City.

 

Federal Rail Administration Deputy Administrator Karen Rae will address the N.C. Board of

Transportation at its meeting Wednesday, March 31 regarding the Obama Administration’s policy on

transportation choices as a part of building more livable communities and sustainability.

 

Rae, Conti and Rail Director Patrick Simmons will be available for media interviews regarding the

North Carolina’s new mid-day train service between Raleigh and Charlotte; the $545 million in

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds awarded to the state in February; and the FRA

inspection of NCDOT rail equipment, facilities and capabilities from 2:45 p.m.- 3:15 p.m. via

telephone by dialing 1-877-531-0014 and then access room# *8569289* and onsite in room 117 in

the Transportation Building at 1 S. Wilmington St.

 

To view the live Board of Transportation Web feed, visit http://wms.its.state.nc.us/dotlive.

 

***NCDOT***

 

Work on high-speed rail set to begin this year

 

By Richard N. Velotta

Thursday, March 25, 2010 | 6:03 p.m.

 

Environmental approvals for the proposed $4 billion DesertXpress high-speed rail project between Las Vegas and Southern California are taking longer than expected, but executives with the project said Thursday they expect construction to begin this year.

 

"It's all just process and working through the details," DesertXpress Enterprises President Tom Stone said in a media briefing on the project. "No environmental showstoppers have been identified."

 

Last year, developers of the 185-mile rail line that would link Las Vegas with Victorville, Calif., said they hoped they would get final environmental approvals by the end of the first quarter of 2010 and that they would be able to break ground by summer. But Stone said the process is running three to four months behind what they had hoped, although they still expect a groundbreaking before the end of the year.

 

READ FULL ARTICLE AT: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/25/work-high-speed-rail-set-begin-year/

Denver RTD, BNSF sign FasTracks accord

 

Denver’s Regional Transportation District and BNSF Wednesday signed an agreement, worth $144 million, allowing RTD to acquire existing railroad right-of-way and relocate BNSF facilities to allow expansion of the city’s FasTracks program. RTD’s Board of Directors approved the agreement on March 23.

 

RTD, in a statement, said the accord includes a Purchase and Sale Agreement for acquisition of property from Denver Union Station toapproximately 71st Avenue in Westminster, Colo.; a Relocation and Construction Agreement for relocation and construction of BNSF facilities required to make the acquired property available to RTD for use on the Eagle P3 and other commuter rail projects; and a Joint Corridor UseAgreement with the BNSF governing ongoing operations between the two entitiesin the shared corridors.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/denver-rtd-bnsf-sign-fastracks-accord.html

Minneapolis Advances Streetcar System Plan

 

When Minneapolis released its seven-line network plan for urban streetcars back in 2007, the city appeared to be at the head of its game, likely to follow Portland as one of the first U.S. cities to develop a modern trolley system.

 

Unfortunately, when the economic crisis hit and the lack of interest from the Bush Administration made clear to the city’s leaders that the only way their project would be built would be to sponsor it entirely with local funds, the program was “filed” away, to be revived at some more prosperous time. In the meantime, after Ray LaHood took reigns of the federal Department of Transportation, Detroit, Dallas, Tucson, Portland, and New Orleans received millions of dollars for their respective streetcar lines and other cities have applied for $130 million in inner city circulator grants the DOT expects to reward later this year.

 

All of which leaves Minneapolis a little behind in the game.

 

Nevertheless, tomorrow the City Council is expected to approve the 30-year vision for local rail transit corridors first laid out in 2007 and passed by the Public Works and Transportation Committee last week. In addition, it will take the first step in readying one “starter” corridor for further planning later this year, with plans to eventually ask Washington to fund 50% of construction costs.

Click on the link and look elsewhere for images of this beautiful 1896 Italian Renaissance-style station. Ironically, its 12 daily Amtrak trains and 600,000 annual passengers makes this the least busy of major-city stations on the West Coast, but it's still many times busier than any station in Ohio....

 

Friday, April 2, 2010

Union Station undergoes $9M overhaul

Portland Business Journal - by Wendy Culverwell Business Journal staff writer

 

A $9 million renovation project will repair and stabilize Portland’s historic railroad station as it faces the future of high speed travel.

 

Constructed in 1896, Union Station is one of the oldest passenger stations on the West Coast and among the most dilapidated.

 

The Portland Development Commission, which manages it for the city of Portland, says more than $40 million worth of work is needed, from roof and plumbing to mechanical systems and windows.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2010/04/05/story9.html?b=1270440000%5E3136471

Just saw a great tag line at the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission website (www.acerail.com): "Life doesn't need to be put on hold while commuting."

 

Sounds like a great one-liner for 3C: "Life doesn't need to be put on hold while traveling."

More than one way to get passenger trains on freight corridors.....

 

BNSF, CN Sell Track to Commuter Lines

Each railroad nets more than $100 million, retains freight rights

John D. Boyd | Apr 5, 2010 7:42PM GMT

The Journal of Commerce Online - News Story

 

BNSF Railway and Canadian National Railway signed new track sales accords with large commuter rail operations, in which they sold line and property for over $100 million each but retained some freight corridor rights.

 

BNSF’s deal was with the FasTracks program in Denver, which is paying $144 million to buy some track from the freight railroad and to cover the cost of relocating some tracks so BNSF can still operate freight trains in that area.

 

Reports said Denver’s Regional Transportation District is paying BNSF nearly $103 million for the property, with the remainder for relocation and construction.

 

Full story at: http://www.joc.com/rail-intermodal/bnsf-cn-sell-track-commuter-lines

St. Louis County voters OK sales tax increase for Metro   

 

 

In the latest demonstration of voters willing to tax themselves to secure rail passenger service stability, even amidst recession, St. Louis County citizens Tuesday approved Proposition A, a half-cent sales tax increase to support Metro light rail and bus service.

 

Unofficial returns showed 63% of those voting supported the tax. Turnout, however, was light.

 

More at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/st.-louis-county-voters-ok-sales-tax-increase-for-metro.html

April 7, 2010

China Offers High-Speed Rail to California

By KEITH BRADSHER

 

BEIJING — Nearly 150 years after American railroads brought in thousands of Chinese laborers to build rail lines across the West, China is poised once again to play a role in American rail construction. But this time, it would be an entirely different role: supplying the technology, equipment and engineers to build high-speed rail lines.

 

The Chinese government has signed cooperation agreements with the State of California and General Electric to help build such lines. The agreements, both of which are preliminary, show China’s desire to become a big exporter and licensor of bullet trains traveling 215 miles an hour, an environmentally friendly technology in which China has raced past the United States in the last few years.

 

“We are the most advanced in many fields, and we are willing to share with the United States,” Zheng Jian, the chief planner and director of high-speed rail at China’s railway ministry, said.

 

Full story at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/08/business/global/08rail.html?ref=todayspaper

Posted on Thu, Apr. 8, 2010

Gov. candidate Wagner offers plan for highways, rails

Tom Infield

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

Jack Wagner proposed today to undertake a major rebuilding of Pennsylvania's highways, dams and intercity rail network, and also to expand broadband Internet access in rural areas.

 

The Democratic candidate for governor was reluctant, though, to say how much all of this would cost or where he'd find the money to pay for it.

 

Speaking at a news conference in Philadelphia, he said that "all options" for funding needed to be "on the table" in budgetary decisions made by the next governor and the legislature. But he clearly did not want to be pinned down in advance.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/news_breaking/20100408_Gov__candidate_Wagner_offers_plan_for_highways__rails.html

Ahem, PD and others who allege it cannot be done.....

 

 

Panel revives plan to run fast trains on shared track between Anaheim and L.A.

Local officials are concerned that hundreds of private properties would have to be condemned in Anaheim, Buena Park and other cities for the dedicated high-speed rail line along the 34-mile route.

 

By Rich Connell

 

April 9, 2010

 

A high-speed rail configuration that backers say could save up to $2 billion and greatly reduce demolition of homes and businesses across the heart of Southern California was revived Thursday by project officials.

 

In the 6-1 vote at a meeting in San Jose, the California High-Speed Rail Authority agreed to revisit a plan, discarded in 2008, to share existing rail where feasible with commuter and freight services operating along a 34-mile route between Anaheim and downtown's Union Station.

 

Upgrades would eliminate at-grade street crossings and add high-tech train control systems to permit bullet trains to operate and conventional passenger trains to increase speeds significantly, officials say.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-high-speed9-2010apr09,0,5894811.story

This $4 billion station will be the most extensive/expensive U.S. railroad station complex built since the $1.8 billion (in 2010 dollars) Cleveland Union Terminal project from 1930. See the website and the amazing video that loads automatically upon opening the page http://transbaycenter.org/...

 

Transbay Terminal pushed for San Francisco HSR endpoint

 

San Francisco's rebuilt Transbay Terminal, already expected to maximize passenger intermodalism by both land and water routes, has moved into contention as the endpoint for the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s proposed $44 billion system. Authority directors Thursday rejected by a 6-1 vote an alternate underground site at Beale Street.

 

Either site would have extended HSR beyond the currentCaltrain terminus at Fourth and King streets. That site will continue to beserved by Caltrain and possibly by HSR as well.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/transbay-terminal-pushed-for-san-francisco-hsr-endpoint.html

 

The existing station with 90+ trains per day, but is a mile from downtown....

 

 

The new Transbay Terminal is modeled after the new multi-billion-Euro Berlin train station....

 

 

San Francisco's new Transbay Terminal....

 

 

 

Here's a state-supported route where continued investment in it is paying off (a lesson for those who wonder how 3C Corridor can be enhanced once it's in place). Remember the top four reasons people ride trains: 1. low fares, 2. convenient departures, 3. reliability and 4. speed...

 

Amtrak runs on time — and ridership soars

By Ken Leiser

04/11/2010

 

For years, Amtrak service in Missouri seemed mired in time delays.

 

Disgruntled passengers would fume about arriving home hours late. The problem is that Amtrak shares track with freight railroad traffic. While passenger trains were purported to have priority, there were many instances when Amtrak trains couldn't keep up with schedules because of freight traffic.

 

But thanks to investments in the main passenger rail corridors and other factors, on-time performance has improved dramatically in recent years to about 90 percent — and with it, ridership growth.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/columnists.nsf/alongfortheride/story/290B188ABB28167486257702000996FA?OpenDocument

Cross-posted from "Rethinking Transport in the USA"...

 

A Southern Success Story for Public Transportation Offers Lessons in Livability

By JOSH VOORHEES of Greenwire

Published: April 5, 2010

 

When Charlotte's new light rail line opened, it vastly exceeded anticipated ridership figures. As the city plans an extension of the system, the federal government is revising how it distributes funding to avoid making the same mistake again.

 

"Now, as the city plans the second phase of its light-rail project, a three-car, 11-mile extension of the existing line from Uptown into northeast Charlotte, it also must retrofit the existing track to carry the longer trains. That means not only buying more rail cars, but also lengthening platforms and boosting power distribution. Estimated price tag of the retrofits: an additional $67 million.

 

The Obama administration has taken notice, vowing to prevent what happened here from happening again. DOT is in the early stages of what it has dubbed its "livability" initiative, a comprehensive rewrite of the nation's transportation strategy that includes an overhaul of how road and transit projects are picked to receive federal funding."

 

By including economic development opportunities and environmental considerations in the selection process for federal funding, the DOT is hoping to get the right amount of funding to projects in order to ensure their success.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/04/05/05greenwire-a-southern-success-story-for-public-transporta-52742.html

Plans For High-Speed Rail Draws National Attention

Rail Line To Run Between Milwaukee, Madison And Chicago

 

POSTED: 6:31 pm CDT April 15, 2010

UPDATED: 7:09 pm CDT April 15, 2010

 

MILWAUKEE -- Wisconsin's plan to build a high-speed rail line is capturing national attention.

 

Members of the Amtrak board visited The Milwaukee Intermodal Station downtown and learned more about the state's plans to create high speed rail between Chicago and Madison through its Hiawatha line.

 

"If you complete this activity, this expansion, you're going to have record ridership," said Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

 

more at: http://www.wisn.com/news/23166488/detail.html

 

The Pennsylvania Passenger/Freight Rail Plan for 2035.

 

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdBRF.nsf/RailPlan2035

 

Hopefully something will actually happen with this though they could have been a bit more imaginative.

 

 

Under the federal Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act of 2008, every state must develop by 2010 a 25-year freight and passenger rail plan. As one might expect, some states put more effort into it than others.....

Ohio's is very close to final form and should be released soon.... or so I am told.

A new intermodal transportation hub (for people) in North Carolina....

 

Raleigh will consider new transit proposal

 

RALEIGH -- Raleigh's planning director will unveil a proposal today for a transportation hub that could create a new urban growth center on the western edge of downtown, bringing together riders on buses, light rail, local streetcars and interstate trains.

 

The proposed "Union Station" plan will be part of a three-hour City Council discussion today on how to untangle a messy confluence of three railroads and to meet pressing demands for Amtrak, Triangle Transit and local bus service. City officials want to prepare for a shifting mix of transit prospects on Raleigh's horizon.

 

Federal funds would be sought for 80 percent of the cost, estimated at $150 million to $210 million, with Raleigh and North Carolina splitting the rest.

 

Full story at: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/04/23/450487/transit-plan-rethinks-raleigh.html

Under the federal Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act of 2008, every state must develop by 2010 a 25-year freight and passenger rail plan. As one might expect, some states put more effort into it than others.....

 

Ken:

 

Understood. But I must admit to being somewhat underwhelmed that their only mention of the Keystone Corridor West* was to mention that Conrail had eliminated two of the four tracks suggesting that this ROW could be used for passenger travel, but then said nothing more about it

 

And their brief mention of the Capitol Limited from DC to Pittsburgh suggested that they had all but given up on making any improvements to this segment. There was only slight mention of Pittsburgh-Youngstown-Cleveland and no mention of the Panhandle Line. And for this they met for over a year!

 

*When it was initially proposed, it was simply the Keystone Corridor but I guess it is a little more honest of them to recognize that there are really two corridors since Harrisburg->West seems to be the ugly stepsister of Harrisburg-Philly.

 

 

Like I said, some states put more effort into it than others.

Among those asking are two GOP legislators. Sure would be nice to see such bi-partisanship in Ohio.

And I'm surprised they wouldn't want the new service to start in Battle Creek just 22 miles farther east...

 

Michigan asks Amtrak for another Kalamazoo-to-Chicago train

By Gabrielle Russon | Kalamazoo Gazette

April 30, 2010, 8:07AM

 

KALAMAZOO — The state has asked Amtrak to add another train from Kalamazoo to Chicago’s Union Station.

 

Although it is too early to determine how likely the expanded service is — or how it would be funded — Amtrak could make a decision by the end of the summer, said Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesman for the Chicago regional office.

 

“It’s not a route that’s unfamiliar to us,” Magliari said. “We’re not starting from scratch, since we already operate from Chicago to Kalamazoo. That should shorten the amount of time to look at this.”

 

The proposed train would leave Chicago at 11 p.m. EST, stopping in Hammond, Ind., New Buffalo, Niles and Dowagiac before reaching Kalamazoo. It would remain in Kalamazoo overnight then leave at 6 a.m. and make the reverse trek back to Illinois, said Janet Foran, a Michigan Department of Transportation spokeswoman.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/04/michigan_asks_amtrak_for_anoth.html

I guess highways having a monopoly over the transportation marketplace isn't enough. And we thought Ohio had the market cornered on this....

 

TxDOT taking rail funds for roads

By SENS. JEFF WENTWORTH and WENDY DAVIS and REP. RUTH JONES MCCLENDON HOUSTON CHRONICLE

May 2, 2010, 9:30PM

 

Transportation advocates won a hard-fought victory during the 2009 legislative session by securing $182 million in financing for the Texas Railroad Relocation and Improvement Fund, created by the voters through a constitutional amendment passed in 2005 but never funded. Sadly, the state's transportation bureaucracy at the Texas Department of Transportation is using a budgetary shell game to thwart the will of the Legislature and steal this victory from the public.

 

“This is wrong,” as Chairman John Carona told the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee last fall. “It smacks of trickery.”

 

The case for improving and expanding the state's railroad infrastructure is compelling. Dollars spent on rail reduce traffic congestion, get trucks off our crowded highways, move hazardous materials out of populated areas, improve safety and air quality, provide new corridors for passenger rail and offer significant economic development opportunities. With Texas facing a doubling of population and quadrupling of NAFTA trade flow over the next two decades, rail is a critical component of our transportation future.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6986704.html

I guess highways having a monopoly over the transportation marketplace isn't enough. And we thought Ohio had the market cornered on this....

 

TxDOT taking rail funds for roads

By SENS. JEFF WENTWORTH and WENDY DAVIS and REP. RUTH JONES MCCLENDON HOUSTON CHRONICLE

May 2, 2010, 9:30PM

 

Transportation advocates won a hard-fought victory during the 2009 legislative session by securing $182 million in financing for the Texas Railroad Relocation and Improvement Fund, created by the voters through a constitutional amendment passed in 2005 but never funded. Sadly, the state's transportation bureaucracy at the Texas Department of Transportation is using a budgetary shell game to thwart the will of the Legislature and steal this victory from the public.

 

“This is wrong,” as Chairman John Carona told the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee last fall. “It smacks of trickery.”

 

The case for improving and expanding the state's railroad infrastructure is compelling. Dollars spent on rail reduce traffic congestion, get trucks off our crowded highways, move hazardous materials out of populated areas, improve safety and air quality, provide new corridors for passenger rail and offer significant economic development opportunities. With Texas facing a doubling of population and quadrupling of NAFTA trade flow over the next two decades, rail is a critical component of our transportation future.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6986704.html

 

It actually sounds like what TxDOT is doing is illegal; surreptitiously undermining the will of the people.  Let's hope the Texas AG is up to the task of piercing the veil of that agency -- but this is Texas, and I don't know the political stripe of the AG...

 

There are some similarities in the conservatism of Texas and Ohio, but the major difference is that Texas is sunbelt and growing (meaning its big cities) whereby Ohio is Rustbelt/Frostbelt and shrinking (its cities, that is, while State-wide growth is very small).  The growth of Texas' big cities, along with a more enlightened attitude transit-wise, is why there has been much positive rail growth in some Texas cities like Dallas, Houston and Austin, while San Antonio, last I looked, is still in the Dark Ages. 

 

This plus the very fact that voters created the Texas RR Relocation and Improvement Fund tells me that, despite Texas' obvious extreme conservatism, politically, the State appears considerably more progressive on transit/passenger train issues than Ohio, which often operates like it's 1950.

Hello, Ohio?

 

Amtrak looks to connect more cities

Cassi Toney/The Daily

Monday, May 3, 2010

 

Amtrak’s plans to expand its rail service could connect Oklahoma City to Wichita, Kan., and add one extra train to the Heartland Flyer route.

 

...Stair said the legislative bills for the train extension were passed with 95 percent bipartisan support in Kansas. He said the additional train to Kansas City would connect Oklahoma to half of the national train system.

 

The benefits of adding the train outweigh the costs, and part of President Barack Obama’s High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program in the American Recovery Act of 2009 gives $8 billion to develop various rail programs, Stair said.

 

Stair said the most expensive operational scenario would have Oklahoma paying $3.4 million per year in addition to $2.3 million each year for the Heartland Flyer. He said the cost is very low compared to the $9 million it costs to pave a one-mile stretch on the interstate.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.oudaily.com/news/2010/may/03/amtrak-looks-connect-more-cities/

Hello Ohio? News from North Carolina, which started its Charlotte-Raleigh passenger rail service in 1991 with an initial end-to-end average speed of just 41 mph. Today it's 10 mph faster, has double the train service, and has seen ridership triple. Next month, more trains will be added and then top speeds will be increased to 90 mph....

________________

 

04/21/2010 06:03 PM

Companies look to land high speed rail contracts

By: Ed Scannell

 

GREENSBORO -- Representatives from 600 companies attended a workshop to learn about contracting opportunities in the design and construction of the future Southeast High Speed Rail project.

 

The rail line would connect Raleigh to Charlotte with stops in several other cities including Greensboro.

 

Companies were optimistic about their chances to get in on the project's ground floor.

 

READ MORE AND SEE THE VIDEO AT:

http://news14.com/triangle-news-30-content/headlines/624839/companies-look-to-land-high-speed-rail-contracts

enough with peanuts, lets talk billions!

 

 

 

MTA Board Approves Capital Construction Plan

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted today to send its Capital Construction Plan to Albany for final approval.

 

The $26.3 billion, five-year program is for 2010-2014.

 

It includes plans for new subway cars, station improvements, new signals on the Number 7 subway line, new environmentally-friendly buses and larger-scale projects including the Second Avenue subway line and the East Side access for the Long Island Rail Road.

 

http://www.ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/news_beats/transit/117723/mta-board-approves-capital-construction-plan/

 

***

 

going straight to the white house hat in hand to get that other station reinstated into the #7 train extension? why not!

 

 

 

City Officials Seek Federal Assistance For 7 Subway Extension

 

Some New York officials will be traveling to Washington, D.C. Wednesday to try and get the federal government to cover the cost of another station for the 7 subway line extension.

 

Members of the Real Estate Board of New York will meet with Vice President Joe Biden's staff tomorrow to ask the White House to provide $500 million to build a stop at 41st Street and 10th Avenue.

 

The city is funding the $2 billion project but is only paying for a station at 34th Street and 11th Avenue.

 

The 41st Street station was in the original plan, but was eliminated when costs escalated.

 

(the short video news clip has a peek in the tunnel!)

http://www.ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/news_beats/transit/117672/city-officials-seek-federal-assistance-for-7-subway-extension/

 

Since 3C critics have made an issue of the initial schedule not allowing same day travel to and from evening events in destination cities.... here's how Amtrak and the State of Missouri's DOT are addressing the issue.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2010 ATK-10-066

Amtrak Contact: Marc Magliari

312 880.5390

MoDOT Contact: Kristi Jamison

573 526.2482

Tourism Contact: Sarah Luebbert

573 522.5501

 

 

AMTRAK Celebrates MISSOURI Travel and Trains

with “Catch a Train, Catch a Game” sweepstakes

 

JEFFERSON CITY – Sit back, relax and let an American icon take you to enjoy America’s favorite pastime?  Now, due to America’s love for trains, travel and baseball, you have an opportunity to do that and more in Missouri -- for free.

Amtrak, the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Division of Tourism are partnering to celebrate National Train Day (May 8, 2010) and National Travel and Tourism Week (May 8 – 16, 2010) with the “Catch a Train, Catch a Game” Sweepstakes.  Two grand prize winners will be selected, one for a St. Louis Cardinals prize package and one for a Kansas City Royals prize package.

 

“Missouri is a diverse and scenic state with many family friendly things to experience,” said Missouri Tourism Director Katie Steele Danner.  “Amtrak provides the perfect opportunity to take in the beauty of our state while providing a convenient and affordable way to get to many destinations.”

The sweepstakes is open to all U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.  No purchase is necessary to win.  Only one entry per person is allowed.  Enter to win online at www.morail.org between May 8 and June 8.

 

The Cardinals Grand Prize consists of four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four tickets to the Cardinals baseball game on July 17, 2010; a one night stay for two at the Millennium Hotel-St. Louis; and four passes to ride a tram to the top of the Arch. 

 

The Royals Grand Prize includes four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four ticketsto the Royals baseball game on June 26, 2010; a one night stay for two at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; and four passes for Science City at Union Station Kansas City.

 

“The Missouri River Runner really is an exciting way to travel across the state and we want more people to experience it,” said Rod Massman, MoDOT’s rail administrator.  “There’s nothing better than letting Amtrak do the driving while you enjoy great views of Missouri scenery from a comfortable seat.”

 

“Whether you’re a fan of the American League or the National League, Amtrak has you covered in Missouri,” said Anne McGinnis, Amtrak Market Manager.

Sweepstakes entry forms will also be available at all 10 Amtrak Missouri River Runner stations, all of which will host open house events in celebration of National Train Day on May 7 or 8.  They are located in St. Louis, Kirkwood, Washington, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg, Lee’s Summit, Independence and Kansas City. 

 

        National Train Day commemorates the anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad‘s inception by bringing to life the rich narrative of how trains transformed America.  For more information, visit www.nationaltrainday.com.

 

National Travel and Tourism Week, sponsored annually by the U.S. Travel Association, highlights the powerful economic, social and cultural impacts of travel.  For more information, visit www.ustravel.org/marketing/national-travel-and-tourism-week.

 

About Amtrak

 

As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

 

About MoDOT

Our mission is to provide a world-class transportation experience that delights our customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri. For more information, visit www.modot.org or call 888-ASK-MODOT (within Missouri).

# # #

 

Phoenix's Valley Metro sets ridership records in April

 

Last month, Phoenix’s Valley Metro set records for the most riders in one month and one day, and the highest average weekday ridership since the light-rail system opened in December 2008.

 

April ridership totaled 1.2 million, with an average weekday ridership of 44,932, average Saturday ridership of 34,533, and average Sunday and holiday ridership of 20,573. The previous records set in March were 1.16 million total monthly riders and an average weekday ridership of 41,413.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23235

courant.com/news/opinion/hc-mckay-scrap-busway-for-rail.artmay02,0,7317464.story

 

Courant.com

TRANSIT

Busway? Restoring Rail Is A Better Way To Go

Busway Is A Dead End — Restoring Rail Would Serve More People Better

By MOLLY MCKAY

 

May 2, 2010

 

The proposed 9.4-mile New Britain-to-Hartford busway — a paved corridor exclusively for buses that would connect only four communities: New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford — could cause the permanent loss of rail rights-of-way and deal a drastic blow to the state's passenger and freight rail service.

 

The busway is estimated to cost $570 million. And that's just the estimate.

 

This costly project will harm passenger and freight rail systems in Connecticut and throughout New England. It would pave over an existing rail right-of-way between Newington and New Britain. That right-of-way is part of the former Highland Line, which provided passenger service from Waterbury to Hartford. Much of that track is still used by freight trains, but it could, for a relatively reasonable cost, be restored for passenger rail. Ideally, double-tracking is the best solution for passenger and freight rail in a shared right-of-way, but for less money, a single track will work, with a few sidings, improved signaling and proper scheduling.

 

Full story at above link:

SERVICE ALERT

2010 TEMPORARY WEEKEND CONSTRUCTION OUTAGE SCHEDULE

 

The South Shore is alerting passengers to a series of seven (7) planned temporary weekend construction outages.  The first weekend outage is scheduled for May 15.  The second outage is planned for August 7.

 

South Shore Line will not operate trains in either direction between South Bend and Gary Metro Center on the following weekends from 2:30 a.m. Saturday thru 3:00 a.m. Monday:

 

•May 15-17

•August 7-9

•August 28-30

•September 18-20

•October 2-4

•October 23-25

•November 6-8

The South Shore will operate regular weekend train service between Gary Metro Center and Chicago.

 

The South Shore will not provide shuttle bus service between South Bend and Gary Metro Center during these temporary weekend outages because of the high number of weekend passengers and variability of demand.  Stations affected by this outage include South Bend, Hudson Lake, Carroll Ave. and 11th St. in Michigan City, Beverly Shores, Dune Park, Portage/Ogden Dunes, and Miller.

 

During these weekend outages passengers are encouraged to drive to East Chicago Station.  East Chicago is conveniently located 2.6 miles north of I-94 on Indianapolis Blvd (5615 Indianapolis Blvd).  It is a modern station with restrooms, plenty of parking and high level boarding for improved accessibility.

 

more ...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/os-locomotives-sunrail-train-20100510,0,1778821.story

ORLANDO SENTINEL

SunRail gets set to buy trains

By Dan Tracy,

May 10, 2010

 

Short of actually driving the first spike into a new piece of steel track, builders of the SunRail train are poised to make their most high-profile move in creating the commuter system: Buying the locomotives and coaches.

 

The Florida Department of Transportation, which is charged with getting SunRail up and running, is negotiating the final details of an agreement to buy seven diesel-powered locomotives for $18 million from Motive Power, a manufacturer based in Boise, Idaho.

 

FDOT also is closing in on a pact with the Canadian company Bombardier to buy four double-decker coaches and nine cab cars for $30 million. A cab car features a control panel that remotely operates a locomotive, allowing the trains to go either direction without turning around on the track.

 

More at link above:

Louisiana bill is first step to passenger rail service

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Louisiana House committee took the first steps toward setting up a means to establish train or light rail services in regions of the state, House Bill 1410 would authorize two or more cities or parishes to form "rail compacts" to set up train or light rail services.

For more on this story, visit:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/louisiana-bill-is-first-step-to-passenger-rail-service.html

 

 

Rails seen as relief for North Carolina congested roads

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

 

North Carolina Railroad Co., fully owned by its namesake state, commissioned a ridership study for a possible 140-mile line from Greensboro to Goldsboro, which found healthy interest in service between Greensboro and Burlington, with the biggest ridership numbers concentrated in the Triangle.

For more on this story, visit:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/rails-seen-as-relief-for-north-carolina-congested-roads.html

 

 

Washington State plans rail bypass traffic study

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

 

Washington State will do a detailed traffic study of its plan to route passenger trains traveling up to 79 miles an hour through South Tacoma, Lakewood and DuPont, despite previously calling such a study unnecessary.

For more on this story, visit:

http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/washington-state-plans-rail-bypass-traffic-study.html

Interesting story from CNN on a battle over Washington DC's streetcar project... the interesting part: both sides want it...they just want it to run differently...

 

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/05/13/bolduan.dc.streetcar.battle.cnn?hpt=C2

Good story on the impacts of rail-based transit and intercity passenger rail in Vancouver...

 

SkyTrain is not the limit (May 2010)   

Friday, May 14, 2010 

 

Nine years of preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics has given Vancouver’s TransLink incentive to expand, and market, rail and transit options. The momentum is likely to continue.

 

Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/in-this-issue/skytrain-is-not-the-limit-may-2010.html

Raleigh will consider new transit proposal

 

RALEIGH -- Raleigh's planning director will unveil a proposal today for a transportation hub that could create a new urban growth center on the western edge of downtown, bringing together riders on buses, light rail, local streetcars and interstate trains.

 

The proposed "Union Station" plan will be part of a three-hour City Council discussion today on how to untangle a messy confluence of three railroads and to meet pressing demands for Amtrak, Triangle Transit and local bus service. City officials want to prepare for a shifting mix of transit prospects on Raleigh's horizon.

 

Federal funds would be sought for 80 percent of the cost, estimated at $150 million to $210 million, with Raleigh and North Carolina splitting the rest.

 

"This will be as significant as RDU Airport - right in our downtown," Mitchell Silver, the city planning director, said in an interview.

 

Full story at: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/04/23/450487/transit-plan-rethinks-raleigh.html

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100514/NEWS15/100514051/Feds-back-Ann-Arbor-Detroit-rail-connection&template=fullarticle

 

Feds back Ann Arbor, Detroit rail connection

BY MATT HELMS

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

 

Officials from Washington and across the state expressed support and optimism for expanding rail travel options despite Michigan's economic troubles that have slowed momentum for commuter train service between Detroit and Ann Arbor.

 

More than two dozen public officials and private-sector representatives met in Ypsilanti this afternoon to talk prospects for commuter and high-speed rail at a luncheon convened by Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn. The closed meeting included Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary John Porcari, who said during a break that the Obama administration recognizes Michigan and other states in economic distress need help from Washington to move forward on rail projects.

 

"This is a very difficult time for all states," Porcari said. "We're going to have to work on ways to make sure we have an adequately funded transportation program. It's a real challenge."

 

Full story at above link:

Unfortunately NCDOT's passenger rail program suffered a setback last week when a truck drove in front of the state-owned Piedmont train operated by Amtrak....

 

Critics have the gall to say Ohio doesn't have the population density to support passenger rail.... look what "heavily urbanized" Kansas is doing..... Go Jayhawks!  :clap:

 

Study presents 4 options for expansion of rail service

May 19, 2010

 

The Kansas Department of Transportation and Amtrak officials held an open house Tuesday to discuss four options for expanding passenger rail service.

 

The plans come as a result of their joint Feasibility Study of Expanded Passenger Service in Kansas. The plans would increase the number of destinations in and around Kansas, including stops in Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The proposed expansion would mean more frequent Amtrak stops in Lawrence.

 

 

Full story at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/may/19/study-presents-4-options-expansion-rail-service/?city_local

Virginia to allot $2.1 billion for rail, public transportation

Progressive Railroading magazine

 

Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) recently released a working draft of its six-year improvement program for fiscal-years 2011 to 2016.

 

The $7.7 billion plan proposes $2.1 billion for rail and public transportation and $5.6 billion for highway construction, Virginia Department of Transportation officials said in a prepared statement.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23355

Critics have the gall to say Ohio doesn't have the population density to support passenger rail.... look what "heavily urbanized" Kansas is doing..... Go Jayhawks!  :clap:

 

 

If Ohio is dense enough to disallow hunting with high-powered rifles, it's certainly dense enough for rail service.