Category: Commentary

  • TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report

    November 1, 2010 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director

  • October California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance

    Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA Capitol Corridor is continuing its eight-month streak of positive results.  The first month of Fiscal Year 2011, October 2010, indicates increases in all performance indicators. October ridership was 141,350, up 3.1% versus October 2009 with revenue up a remarkable 7.2% compared to the same period last year;…

  • High Speed Rail: The View on November 4th

    Report by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer November 4, 2010 — Public commentary opened and closed the meeting of the California High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) held today in the State Capitol.  In his opening remarks, San Mateo’s Assemblyman Jerry Hill announced that he will introduce legislation dealing with expenditures, transparency and disclosure by the HSRA.…

  • Your Donations are now Tax Deductible!

    Your Donations are now Tax Deductible!

    The IRS has approved our application to be recognized as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation! RailPAC filed the application with the Internal Revenue Service early in 2010.  IRS approval means membership dues and other donations can be deducted from the individual federal income tax returns of donors.  Any donation you made to RailPAC on…

  • How much does the UP want to run a daily Sunset?!

    $750 million, that’s how much. By Russ Jackson This article appeared on page one of the October 2010, Western Rail Passenger Review. On September 30, Amtrak released its plan for the Sunset Limited without a start date. A followup article will appear next month.

  • LA City Council Rail Resolution Passes Unanimously

    This morning a RailPAC resolution supporting the construction of double track between Van Nuys and Chatsworth and the building of a second platform at Van Nuys station was passed unanimously by the City Council meeting at Van Nuys. Paul Dyson, RailPAC president, spoke in favor of the motion, which was proposed by Council members Tom LaBonge and Greig…

  • Burbank Airport Authority Presentation

    Burbank Airport Authority Presentation

    On Monday September 20th, 2010, RailPAC President Paul Dyson attended the regular meeting of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, the JPA that operates Burbank Bob Hope Airport. On behalf of RailPAC Paul presented Authority President Frank Quintero with a plaque marking the occasion of the authorization by Burbank City Council to proceed with construction of the Regional Intermodal Transportation Center. The…

  • August California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance

    Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA Performance continues to improve on the Capitol Corridor compared to monthly results from 2009.  In fact, ridership has increased each of the last 6 months, closing the gap on decreases earlier in the fiscal year.  August 2010 ridership was 138,739, a 5% increase over August 2009.  Revenue mirrored the ridership…

  • Comments on HSR Thru Riverside

    Comments Compiled from a RailPAC Member We were recently contacted by a Professional Engineer who has, until recently, done a small amount of work on the CAHSR project.  This is a summary of his report.  Apparently the concept designs he cites are in the public domain (e.g. used in public outreach meetings) however the conclusions…

  • July California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance

    Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA July ridership started off weak, but ended up strong as we posted a fiscal year-best of 141,479 passengers for the month.  This is a 5.0% increase in ridership above July 2009!  Revenue continued its positive trend with +14.7% growth over June 2009. On-time performance (OTP) was 97%, the best result in…