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Is CA HSR on Track for Successful Implementation?
A small shift in priorities could produce major benefits sooner and help build public support. Commentary by Ralph James, RailPAC Member, Alta, Blue Canyon CA NOTE: This article also appears in a shorter version in the March Western Rail Passenger Review. Prioritizing the order of expenditure on public projects which may span many years can…
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CRCC Technical Committee Meeting Report
February 26, 2010 Meeting Reported by Dennis Story, RailPAC Director The Coast Rail Coordinating Council Technical Committee meeting was held at the Derby Club, Seaside Park in Ventura on Friday, 2/26/10 from 11:00AM to 12:30PM. Attendees: Pete Rodgers (SLOCOG), Bill Bronte (Caltrans Rail Division), Jonathan Hutchison (phone), Mike Powers (SBCAG), Scott Spaulding (SBCAG), Vic Kamhi (VCTC),…
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RailPAC March Review
Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President I’ve been looking back at some of my previous commentaries, particularly “High Speed Rail, Stay the Course”, and my more recent “High Speed Rail Dilemma” offering. Trying to reach a consensus among a couple of thousand passenger rail advocates in California about our largest ever public works project is…
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Introducing RailPACmobile!
Reported by Jarrod DellaChiesa, RailPAC Director and Website Editor As smartphone sales continue to grow, mobile sites are becoming increasingly popular. Mobile sites take content available on a website and reformat it to look great on mobile platforms. Today, we’re excited to announce
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RailPAC writes Boxer regarding Passenger Rail Safety
SENATOR BARBARA BOXER Fax to 202 224 0454 22 February, 2010 PASSENGER RAIL SAFETY Dear Senator Boxer: First of all may I commend you for your concern about passenger rail safety following the Chatsworth collision last year, and also for spending so much time at the Los Angeles USDOT conference last Friday. We appreciate your…
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January California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance
Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA The Capitol Corridor January 2010 ridership showed a decline compared to January 2009 and 2008. Ridership for January 2010 was down by 8.4% primarily due to the first phase of the “tie renewal program” (January 18 – February 14, 2010) between Suisun/Fairfield and Sacramento stations. Some late-morning and mid-day trains Capitol…
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The High Speed Rail Dilemma
Response to High-Speed rail system: Leaders mull benefits, fears, first published in the Burbank Leader on 2/13/10. Commentary by Paul Dyson It was great to see the Leader take a close look at the High Speed Rail project on Saturday 13th February. This huge undertaking is described as the largest public works project in our history…
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More on the Coast Starlight China
Reported by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Website Editor and CSCN Project Coordinator As reported a few days ago, the Coast Starlight is finally doing away with plastic dinnerware and synthetic tablecloths and is re-introducing full china service and linen. This is exciting because passengers will once again receive a quality Dining Car experience. Here are some additional details…
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Connectivity Works for High Speed Rail Too
Commentary by Paul Dyson Our RailPAC/NARP meeting in Las Vegas last December revealed one important nugget. Guest speaker, Desert Xpress (“DX”) CEO Tom Stone announced that the project team is planning to extend the Las Vegas – Victorville core route across the high desert to Palmdale where it will connect with the California High Speed…
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Increase Your Community’s Awareness of Local Stations
Reported by Jarrod DellaChiesa, RailPAC Director In 2009, 29,976 passengers traveled to and from the Hayward station. It is always surprising how few people even know Hayward has an Amtrak station or that a passenger train passes through our town. With plans for up to 22 round trips in 2012-2015 and 32 in 2015-2020, increased…