Senator Barbara Boxer
Washington DC
Via Fax
22nd January, 2010
CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATION ON AMTRAK BOARD
Dear Senator Boxer:
California needs and deserves a representative on the Amtrak Board of Directors. At present there is no Amtrak Board member domiciled west of Illinois.

Consider that:

The State of California pays Amtrak almost $100 million per year for the state rail program.

3 of the 5 busiest routes in the country are in California.

4 of the 7 western long distance trains operate to and from California.

Amtrak’s investments (95% of capital expenditure) and management focus are centered on the Northeast Corridor. While this is an important service, Amtrak is supposed to operate a National system.

There is still one vacancy on the Amtrak Board. It’s time for California to have the representation it deserves. There are many well qualified candidates on the state rail boards and transportation commissions.

RailPAC is an all volunteer advocacy group with 1,000 members and 3,500 affiliates. We have been campaigning for environmentally friendly passenger rail service since 1977.

Yours faithfully,
Paul J. Dyson, President.