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CA Corridors March 2009 Stats
By Eugene K. Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority March numbers were a disappointment in virtually every place in the country. I am not certain if the placement of Easter week in April this year is part of the cause, but we will have to wait for April numbers to make that determination.…
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TRACKING RAIL NEWS for April
TRACKING RAIL NEWS . . . . . . PHOTOS and Commentary by Russ Jackson Let’s start with good news. On Time Performance of some Western long distance trains. For the two weeks, March 8 to 20: California Zephyr #6 into Denver. Early 4 days, On Time or within 10 minutes of scheduled arrival 5…
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Salinas revelopment includes Amtrak station
and the TAMC March Meeting Report By Chris Flescher, RailPAC Associate Director Planners, working for the city of Salinas, are currently creating a plan that would significantly redevelop the downtown area. I attended a public meeting that described many aspects of the plan. The plan may be finalized in about two years from now, and…
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CA Corridor stats for February 2009
Provided by Eugene K. Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority The economic slowdown, plus one less day in February 2009 than in February 2008 (a leap year), appears to have impacted the most ‘business oriented’ corridors, the Capitol Corridor and the Pacific Surfliners. The more discretionary market on the San Joaquins, on the…
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Downtown Natomas Airport Environmental Impact Meeting Report
Presentation/Open House Report by Marcia Johnston, RailPAC Director Sacramento Amtrak Station Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Introduction: Mike Wiley, General Manager, Sacramento Regional Transit Presenter: Jim Heck, Consultant, HDR Engineering The Environmental Impact Report [EIR] is a report that documents the potential impacts of a proposed project. Under Federal and State laws, certain proposed projects require…
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Monterey County TAMC meeting report
TAMC Rail Policy Committee 2-2-2009 Reported by Chris Flescher RailPAC Associate Director, Salinas For the Monterey Branch Line (MBL) project, the alternatives analysis is happening. All alternatives will connect with the future Caltrain extension in Castroville. Two alternatives appear to be the most viable, and the service could start operation in 2014/2015. The alternatives being…
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INCREASED CALIFORNIA RAIL FUNDING FOR 2009
An interview with Caltrans’ BILL BRONTE Reported by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer with Russ Jackson, RailPAC.org editor There is good news to celebrate and some not so good news as to the future of funding for the Caltrans Rail program for the year 2009 as of the publication date of this newsletter. In late February…
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TRACKING RAIL NEWS . . .and PHOTOS
. . . and Commentary by Russ Jackson . . . March, 2009. February will go down as an important month for rail funding in the U.S. and California. As you saw in the Kerby-Jackson report, the California Rail Program received an increase, not a decrease, in operating funding for 2009! That does reflect the…
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UPDATED INFO: The Sunset Limited Derailed at the Palm Springs Station NOW repairs are being made!
A PHOTO report By Robert Manning, RailPAC Director 3/8 UPDATE: What a Difference a week can Make! Amtrak cancelled service on the Sunset Limited for the Palm Springs Train Station Sunday March 8, 2009 due to extensive track work. (NOTE: “No alternative transportation provided”) Union Pacific is replacing the spur line that comes off of…
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BURBANK AIRPORT AUTHORITY PROPOSES TRANSIT CENTER
Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President, and member, Burbank Transportation Commission. The facility would provide “moving walkway” link with the Amtrak/Metrolink station. The Burbank Glendale Pasadena Airport JPA has put forward an ambitious plan to improve public transit connections at the Burbank Bob Hope Airport. The airport already has the closest rail access of any…