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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Coronavirus Relief Package Includes $1 Billion for Amtrak, $25 Billion for Transit Agencies
In late March 2020, RailPAC was one of over 240 signers from across the country (including elected officials, cities and organizations) on a letter written by Transportation for America (T4America) and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). The letter urged Congress to provide $13 billion in emergency funding for public transportation and passenger rail service.…
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President’s Commentary – Key RailPAC priorities for 2020
By Steve Roberts – RailPAC President [Originally published in Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2020] Greetings! In early January, members of the RailPAC Board developed options and came to a consensus on RailPAC’s policy priorities for 2020. The two major ground rules were that the priorities had to be focused and actionable in 2020. A list…
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RailPAC submits comment letter on Connect SoCal – The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) regional transportation plan is nearing completion. As described by SCAG’s Connect SoCal website: “Connect SoCal – The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy is a long-range visioning plan that balances future mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals. Connect SoCal embodies a collective vision…