Author: Russ Jackson

  • Taking Initiative on San Joaquin Service

    A Report from Fresno on “Collaboration” By Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer In a five step plan, AMTRAK and Caltrans on March 27th presented results to the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee (SJVRC) of a performance enhancement initiative that began in mid-2007. The first of these steps elevated service delivery, fare structure and marketing changes for…

  • Coast Starlight News from Amtrak’s Richard Phelps

    Official letter received March 21, sent by e-mail to RailPAC President Paul Dyson. Dear Mr. Dyson: Thank you for your email (not posted here) that I received yesterday. At the direction of our President and CEO, Alex Kummant, Amtrak is already in the process of reviewing our current operation of the Coast Starlight as we…

  • Auburn Amtrak station dedicated to the late Bob Conheim

    Report and photos by Marcia Johnston, RailPAC Sacramento Director Ceremonial cake created by Toni Tidman, CC Rider, in honor of Bob. I attended the Robert F. Conheim, aka “Lord Mayor,” Auburn Station Dedication on Friday, March 14, 2006. I boarded Capitol Corridor train 536 at the Sacramento station with the CC Riders Group to participate…

  • February Capitol Corridor statistics

    From the CCJPA. For a full report of each train’s on time performance, go to www.capitolcorridor.org The February 2008 statistics show a continued upward trend in the growth of Capitol Corridor’s ridership and revenue. — even factoring in that there was an extra day in the month, and in comparison to low ridership and poor…

  • Amtrak and Metrolink maintenance work north of Oceanside will delay weekend trains until May

    Special report from Ed von Nordeck Starting April 12, each Saturday and Sunday through May 4, Bridge work, north of Oceanside, along with replacement of street crossings will see cut back of Amtrak and Metrolink service. Metrolink will operate between Laguna Niguel and Los Angeles. Bus service provided for points south of Laguna Niguel. Amtrak…

  • Letter from Senator Feinstein re Amtrak and the Coast Starlight

    This letter was received by RailPAC Sacramento Director, Marcia Johnston, in reply to her inquiry of the Senator about needs for Amtrak survival. It is apparent that the Senator needs educating on the subject, and the principal reason is her statement we have highlighted in bold. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:25…

  • RailPAC followup letter to Amtrak about Coast Starlight resumption

    RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA 1017 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 March 10, 2008 Mr. Alex Kummant President and CEO National Railroad Passenger Corporation 60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20002 COAST STARLIGHT CONTINUED TRUNCATION Dear Mr. Kummant: I have reviewed Amtrak’s statements about the suspension and truncation of the Coast Starlight and the lack…

  • RailPAC Participates! Dyson and Dukakis in Santa Barbara

    “COAST,” the COALITION FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION Meeting Report for March 1, 2008, in Santa Barbara COAST is a Santa Barbara County regional organization promoting environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable transportation and reduced dependency on automobiles. The following report is from the COAST newsletter. RailPAC Director, Dennis Story, (shown with Gov. Dukakis) is a COAST member…

  • TAMC Rail Policy February Meeting

    Reported by Chris Flescher, RailPAC Associate Director, Salinas The TAMC Rail Policy Committee met on 2-25-08 For the Caltrain extension to Salinas, the capital budget is fully funded through phases 1 and 2. There is some funding for some of the needed ROW purchases and funding for some of the needed construction. TAMC is applying…

  • RailPAC’s Dyson writes Amtrak IG re Deely letter

    28 February, 2008 Mr. Fred Weiderhold, Jr Inspector General NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION P.O. Box 76654 Washington, DC 20013 6654 Via FAX to 215 XXX-XXXX CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN RAILPAC AND AMTRAK RE-COAST STARLIGHT SUSPENSION – CLAIM THAT LETTER FROM J. DEELY IS FAKE – REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION Dear Mr. Weiderhold: Our organization, Rail Passenger Association of…