April 29, 2010

Dear Mr. Boardman:

Having heard no announcements regarding the proposal to introduce a daily Sunset/Eagle we conclude that negotiations are continuing with Union Pacific regarding the operating details, schedules, etc.  It seems to us that if there is capacity for a train three days a week there should be capacity daily, especially given the major investments in double tracking that UP has made over the past few years.  We hope these negotiations bear fruit in the very near future.

RailPAC strongly supports Amtrak in this initiative.  Not only will a daily train reduce the deficit attributed to the train, but by securing the service along this route it helps our long term goal of a regional corridor to the Coachella Valley, Imperial County and on to Yuma and eventually Phoenix.  These are some of the fastest growing areas in the country, with considerable numbers of retirees and other demographic groups that are strong passenger train users.  Withdrawal from that market would be unacceptable to us and to a lot of other people in California.

Please let me know if RailPAC can assist this process in any way.

Yours faithfully,

Paul Dyson, President
[email protected]