-
Steel Wheels, 3rd quarter 2020 available online
Download the pdf of Steel Wheels magazine, 3rd quarter 2020 by clicking here. In this issue: RailPAC and Steel Wheels Coalition to Amtrak: “Daily is Minimum Acceptable Standard for Long Distance Trains”, and Amtrak’s reply, with Russ Jackson’s reply to Amtrak, Paul Dyson response. High Speed Rail update Tri Weekly and the Heartland Flyer Orange…
-
RailPAC presentation to Amtrak’s Rick Peterson
On Wednesday September 2nd, a group of former colleagues gathered to join RailPAC’s Vice President, South, Paul Dyson, Vice President Long Distance Trains James Smith, and RailPAC member Mark Ehrhardt to commemorate Rick Peterson’s retirement. Rick’s career at Amtrak spanned 44 years, but he is best known for his work in establishing and managing the…
-
Amtrak long distance trains: does less than daily make any sense?
Amtrak has recently requested additional funds to cover operating costs and reduced revenue because of the Covid-19 pandemic. A corollary to this request is a plan to reduce long distance service from daily (in most cases) to three or four times a week. RailPAC President Steve Roberts replies: Amtrak’s request for funds – How should…
-
RailPAC comments at Metrolink special board meeting, May 29, 2020
Click here for Metrolink May 29, 2020 meet agenda link showing the Item 8, draft recovery plan. May 28, 2020 Chair Brian Humphries and BoardSouthern California Regional Rail AuthorityLos Angeles, CA SPECIAL BOARD MEETING FRIDAY 29 MAY, 2020 PUBLIC COMMENT RailPAC, the Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada has been a consistent supporter of…
-
RailPAC submits letter to San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority in response to proposed cuts to Thruway Bus Network
May 28, 2020 Honorable Vito Chiesa, Chair San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority 949 East Channel Street Stockton, CA 95202 May 29, 2020 SJJPA Board Meeting Agenda Item 7, Thruway Bus Network Changes Dear Chair Chiesa and Board Members. At this difficult time the Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada recognizes that with the reduction…
-
RailPAC submits comment letter on California High Speed Rail Authority’s Draft 2020 Business Plan
California High Speed Rail Authority’s Draft 2020 Business Plan was issued February 12, 2020. The public comment period is open until June 1, 2020 RailPAC’s submitted public comment letter is below: California High-Speed Rail Authority 770 L Street, Suite 620Sacramento, CA 95814 May 21, 2020 Dear CHSRA Board Members: After review of the 2020 California…
-
RailPAC co-signs letter highlighting opportunities to cut the costs of extending Caltrain into the Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco
May 14, 2020 Dear Mayor Breed, This letter comes from groups committed to the idea that that getting Caltrain connected to 10 other rail lines and over 40 bus lines in downtown San Francisco would be a major move toward seamless transit and therefore deserving of a high priority. The attached report…
-
RailPAC Commentary on Metrolink Antelope Valley Line Improvements
RailPAC has been urging LA Metro and Metrolink to double truck the line between Burbank and Santa Clarita for more than two decades. We finally have a down payment from the State, with some matching funds from other sources. Why am I less than excited by this news? Two and a half decades have passed…
-
2020 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Grants Awarded
This past week the California State Transportation Agency announced the 2020 grants distributed as part of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Created by SB 862 in 2014, the TIRCP utilizes revenues from the State of the California’s cap-and-trade program and vehicle registration fees to fund capital projects that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs)…