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Funding For Rail Expansion In California – Grade Separation Projects
RailPAC Policy Initiative Grade Separation Funding – RailPAC’s view. RailPAC is concerned that a disproportionate amount of passenger rail funds is spent on grade separation projects. We believe that the State of California does not spend nearly enough on this important aspect of public safety. However, we need a new funding formula and mechanism to…
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LOSSAN and the Coast Route – A Plan for 2008 and Beyond
A policy idea presented for discussion and comment.20th February, 2007 From: Paul Dyson, President, RailPAC. Summary: The current standard of service is unacceptable and is not good use of taxpayer funds.
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Mom was right: We get more done when we work together
Commentary by Noel T. Braymer The great success of the combined RailPAC, NARP and The Transit Coalition meeting in Los Angeles on March 17th can be credited to the co-operation and sharing of resources by the different groups. Also shared by the groups is a general consensus for the importance of and need for expanded…
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Amtrak needs leadership, not more managers
Commentary by Noel Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review On January 30th of this year, train 50, the CARDINAL, departed Chicago with 6 cars, one locomotive and one working toilet. Over the protests of the train’s conductor, the Chicago trainmaster ordered the train out of Chicago. The train had gone no further than Dyer, Indiana,…
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The CZ: Amtrak’s forgotten train
Report and Commentary by Russ Jackson, RailPAC As of the date this was written on February 20, 2007, the On Time Performance (OTP) of Amtrak trains 5 and 6, the California Zephyr, was 0.0%. That’s ZERO per cent, meaning NOT ONE of the trains has reached either end point within 30 minutes of its scheduled…
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CA High Speed Rail January Meeting report
Commentary and Report by Hal Wanaselja I attended the CAHSR Authority meeting in Sacramento on January 29, and as they say “there is good news and bad news.” First, let me say that the choice of Quentin Kopp as chair is a godsend. He is very astute and knowlegeable. He really belives we shoud have…
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RailPAC President’s Comments to LOSSAN Board
Chairman Brown and Members of the Board LOSSAN RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY JOINT POWERS BOARD January 10, 2007 I’d like to comment on item 6B and 6C, on time performance Ad-Hoc committee and Amtrak’s customer service and performance report. I spent a good part of the first few years of my career with British Railways investigating…
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February’s RailPAC Editorial: Growth is Amtrak’s only option
Editorial Growth is Amtrak’s only option By Noel T. Braymer Last month we republished excerpts from an article from the NEW YORK TIMES with the headline Surprising Forecast for Amtrak: Growth. This is a sad commentary on the current state of Amtrak that the media would consider a marketing plan for Amtrak surprising. But in…
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Looking ahead with delight
Editorial by Noel Braymer To get a good idea what improvements we in California can expect in the near future, the best place to look is at is the current CALIFORNIA STATE RAIL PLAN prepared by Caltrans Division of Rail. You can study the entire document on line at the Caltrans web page at www.dot.ca.gov/rail/go/dor/division-of-railreports…
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California Is The Winner In November’s Election
Editorial by Noel Braymer Transportation remains a major issue in the whole country with 70% of transportation measures winning nationwide this November 7th. This is according to the Center for Transportation Excellence in Washington. In California 10 counties were voting to enact or renew local sales taxes that would go for transportation. Tulare County passed…