railpac weekly enewsletter for may 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · railpac weekly enewsletter for may...

13
Subject: Another Oil Train Blows Up, GO Transit a model for Regional Rail, Train Days begins From: Rail Passenger Association of California ([email protected]) To: [email protected]; Date: Monday, May 11, 2015 9:31 AM RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter to your friends or someone who can use this information. If you would like to subscribe to the ENewsletter just send me your name and email address to [email protected] If you'd like to see expanded and improved Rail Passenger Service Join Us! Membership increases our strength in presenting the case for rail to policymakers at all levels!

Upload: others

Post on 12-Oct-2020

5 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 1/13

Subject: Another Oil Train Blows Up, GO Transit a model for Regional Rail, Train Days begins

From: Rail Passenger Association of California ([email protected])

To: [email protected];

Date: Monday, May 11, 2015 9:31 AM

RailPAC Weekly E­Newsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. BraymerFeel free to forward copies of this E­Newsletter to your friends or someone who canuse this information. If you would like to subscribe to the E­Newsletter just send me your name and emailaddress to [email protected] you'd like to see expanded and improved Rail Passenger Service­Join Us!Membership increases our strength in presenting the case for rail to policymakers at alllevels!

Page 2: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 2/13

This is a map for Toronto's Go Transit Regional Transportation System. The thicker solid lines are the 7rail routes which combined carry 215,000 passenger every week day. The thin green lines are for GoTransit's bus system. There are 281 miles of Go Transit rail lines, while the bus service which carries56,000 passengers on weekdays has 1,737 route miles . The buses can be used for inter­regional travel.They are also used to feed passengers to the trains and to augment rail service on off peak and weekendperiods.

Toronto's Go Transit is a Great Regional Passenger Rail ServiceBy Noel T. BraymerBy comparison, Southern California's Metrolink service also has 7 rail lines. While Toronto's greaterMetro area population is just over 6 million, that of the greater Los Angeles Metro area is 18 million.Metrolink's daily ridership is just under 50,000 and has been declining recently.

In a Car­Obsessed City, Learning to Love Mass TransitNew York Times­May 6, 2015LOS ANGELES — For the estimated 6.6 million people who visit here each year for business purposes,a good mass transit system could mean less frustration and fewer hours spent in the city’s legendaryfreeway jams....During a three­day business trip here in late February, I decided to see if I could get around by usingonly mass transit.This article is worth reading. It shows both the major improvements in the LA region withexpanded rail, and the problems with connections to get around by public transportation. NB

What 2 Battles Over Pedestrian Rights Say About L.A.'s Walkability

Page 3: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 3/13

CityLab­May 6, 2015In late April, the Los Angeles Times reported on a spate of traffic tickets given to pedestrians whostepped into crosswalks after the signal's red hand began to flash—which, as I was not aware, is indeedillegal there and in many other cities. In a four­year period, LAPD officers have distributed more than17,000 citations for this offense in L.A.'s downtown core alone, four times as many than in the nexthighest area. Tickets run an eye­popping $197, a major sum for anyone, and an especially big blow toL.A.'s low­income communities of color, who rely most heavily on public transit. As Streetsblog noted,many of the crosswalks LAPD has been targeting are adjacent to high­foot­traffic Metroentrances. Emphasis added

Metro poll suggests strong support for 2016 transportation tax hikeLos Angeles Times­May 7, 2015More than two­thirds of Los Angeles County residents support raising the countywide sales tax by half acent to bring in about $120 billion for rail and highway projects, according to a new poll paid for by theLos Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

California's budget surplus soars to new heights; schools to benefitSan Jose Mercury News­May 6, 2015SACRAMENTO ­­ In the clearest sign yet that the Great California Recovery is proceeding on pace,Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins announced Tuesday that the state's revenue has climbed as much as $8billion in the last four months...Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer wouldn't comment on Atkins' projection of increasedstate revenue of between $6 billion to $8 billion, but he said it's safe to assume the governor's Mayrevision will reflect strong personal income tax receipts, driven in part by surging capital gains revenue asCalifornia's economy quickly recovers. The surplus was originally projected to be about $2 billion.

Nearly half of states expect to confront big budget gapsU.S. News & World Report ­ May 9, 2015The nation's economy is at its healthiest since the Great Recession, but a surprising trend is emergingamong the states — large budget gaps.An Associated Press analysis of statehouse finances around the country shows that at least 22 statesproject shortfalls for the coming fiscal year. The deficits recall recession­era anxiety about plunging taxrevenue and deep cuts to education, social services and other government­funded programs.

Service Notice: Last week's eNewsletter went out on Monday May 4th. But many readers got theircopies a few days later. Most of those who were affected had AOL email addresses. No explanationwhy is happened has yet been given. I regret this delay which I can't explain. NB

Heimdal, North Dakota, Evacuated After Fiery Oil Train CrashNBCNews.com­May 6, 2015A tiny North Dakota town was evacuated Wednesday after a train carrying crude oil derailed and severalcars burst into flames, local authorities said. It is the latest in a string of explosive oil train derailmentsthat have raised concerns about the large volume of crude moving across America's tracks.No injuries have been reported from the derailment of a BNSF train near Heimdal, North Dakota. Thetown, which in 2010 had a population of 27, has been evacuated, as have farms near the crash site.While the fires burn in Heimdal the freight trains for this line have been rerouted on the line usedby the Empire Builder. This is resulting in hours of delays for Amtrak. NB

Oil on fiery North Dakota train less volatile than limit Reuters May 7, 2015

Page 4: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 4/13

Test results sent to federal investigators and seen by Reuters show the state's new rule may not bestringent enough to significantly reduce the risks of fireballs after derailments of trains carrying crude. Inthis crash, the crude on board contained about 20 percent fewer volatile gases than regulations mandate.

Oil train derails in North Dakota, days after feds unveil new rulesMcClatchy Washington Bureau ­ May 6, 2015WASHINGTON A BNSF train carrying crude oil derailed and caught fire in North Dakota Wednesday,only days after the federal government rolled out new regulations intended to improve the safety of suchshipments.Wednesday’s incident, near Heimdal, N.D., is the fifth serious oil train derailment in North America thisyear. It demonstrates again how oil by rail, which has expanded dramatically in just a few years, hasoutpaced the ability of industry and regulators to ensure the product moves safely.

BNSF Reopens Track at ND Site of Oil Train Derailment, FireABC News ­ May 8, 2015BNSF Railway resumed shipments Friday along a track in North Dakota two days after an oil trainderailed and caught fire, and cleanup continued on crude that spilled into nearby wetlands.The 109­car train was hauling crude from the Bakken oil patch in western North Dakota when the carsfilled with about 180,000 gallons of oil went off the tracks and caught fire about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) CEO To Challenge New Crude­By­RailRegulationsBidness ETC ­ May 6, 2015Norfolk Southern Corp. (NYSE:NSC) CEO Charles Wilson Moorman said in an interview with the WallStreet Journal on Tuesday that Norfolk Southern, among other railroad companies operating in the US,will be challenging the new rules for crude­by­rail transportation. The rules were passed by theDepartment of Transportation (DoT) as a result of the severe and vast amount of damages caused by thederailment of trains transporting flammable material.

UPDATE 2­US EPA cites Plains' Calif. oil train terminal for violationsReuters ­ May 4, 2015The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited Plains All American Pipeline LP'sBakersfield crude by rail terminal with a series of violations, according to a notice made public onMonday.The federal agency said in the notice the facility's owner failed to obtain valid emissions permits, installbest available control technologies or provide emissions offsets as required by the local air district,according to the notice.The terminal has been operating since November 2014 and can currently receive one 100­car unit train aday carrying oil from the Bakken shale formation of North Dakota as well as heavier tar oil sands crudefrom Western Canada.

Tar Sands Interrupted ­ A Canadian Political ExplosionForbes ­ May 7, 2015The fortunes of Canadian tar sands oil changed overnight this week. After almost 50 years in power, theProgressive Conservative Party in Alberta lost big. As in losing 60 seats. Out of 87 total...The new Alberta Premier is New Democratic Party’s Rachel Notley. She has a different view of tar sandsoil and climate change than the previous Progressive Conservative’s Premier, and certainly different fromCanada’s Prime Minister. Premier Notley has vowed to negotiate new climate policies, increase oil andgas royalties, and quit lobbying President Obama about approving the Keystone XL pipeline.Some refineries are planning to ship more Tar Sands oil to California by rail. NB

Page 5: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 5/13

Passengers waiting to board the morning Coast Starlight at Los Angeles Union. Photo by Noel T.Braymer

Unions to Senate: Get moving on Amtrak fundingThe Hill­May 5, 2015The AFL­CIO’s Transportation Trades Department (TTD) said Tuesday that the Senate should take up a$7.8 billion funding bill for Amtrak that was passed earlier this year by the House. Lawmakers have been focusing on a looming deadline involving federal highway funding that is set toexpire at the end of the month, but AFL­CIO TTD President Ed Wytkind said the upper chamber shouldalso make room on its agenda this month for Amtrak.

National Council on Disability report critical of Amtrak's lack of accessibilityProgressive Rail Roading­May 4, 2015"Although many people with disabilities use Amtrak successfully, particularly along the NortheastCorridor, Amtrak has lagged behind (despite the requirements of the ADA) in its stations, train cars,reservations capacity, and in the area of communications access," NCD officials wrote in the report.

DEA to traveler: Thanks, I'll take that cashAlbuquerque Journal­May 5, 2015Maybe he should have taken traveler’s checks.But it’s too late for that now. All the money – $16,000 in cash – that Joseph Rivers said he had saved andrelatives had given him to launch his dream in Hollywood is gone, seized during his trip out West not bythieves but by Drug Enforcement Administration agents during a stop at the Amtrak train station inAlbuquerque.

Page 6: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 6/13

An incident some might argue is still theft, just with the government’s blessing.Rivers, 22, wasn’t detained and has not been charged with any crime since his money was taken lastmonth.

Amtrak Train Days rolling exhibit stops in Salem May 16Statesman Journal­May 5, 2015All aboard! Amtrak Train Days, with family­friendly, interactive activities, arrives in Salem on Saturday,May 16.In previous years, Amtrak has celebrated National Train Day for one day. This year, in addition tomoving from the Salem train depot to Riverfront Park, it is going to be several days, with an exhibit trainrolling from town to town, said Marketing Manager Martin Tijmes.

Amtrak trains roar into townCNN ­ May 8, 2015While local municipalities debate regional transit and Amtrak fights for funding in Congress, trainscontinue to fascinate adult and child­sized enthusiasts alike.That's why Amtrak is sponsoring Amtrak Train Days starting Saturday, May 9, at Chicago's UnionStation.The celebration stretches into November ...

The San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum hosts Train Day this weekendKSBY San Luis Obispo News­May 9, 2015The all­day event at the SLORRM runs 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be food, a railroad swapmeet, kids' activities, art and more on the platform. At 1:00 p.m. The museum's 1926 Cafe­Lounge carwill be christened. SLORRM staff will break the traditional bottle of champagne and officially changethe car's name to "La Cuesta," to reflect its new life here on the Central Coast.

Barnes & Noble Partners with Amtrak and HarperCollins Publishers ...Business Wire (press release)­May 7, 2015Starting May 9 and Running Throughout Amtrak Train Days, NOOK Will Offer a Curated Selection ofFree eBooks and Free eMagazines to Amtrak Passengers

Ellis' Restored Pullmans Turning Up All OverTravel Pulse­ May 7, 2015Pullman Rail Journeys is a division of Iowa Pacific Holdings. Known for its classic art­deco rail cars andexceptional service, Pullman Rail Journeys offers authentic rail travel from when Pullman was a topname in American travel. For the first time this summer, Pullman Rail Journeys will offer first­class trainservice between Chicago and Denver, departing three select weekends in July, August and Septemberfrom Chicago’s Union Station.

City to assist with Amtrak repairsDodge City Daily Globe­May 6, 2015Taking the train as a travel option is about to be a smoother ride.Dodge City commissioners on Monday approved to offer $12,500 towards a grant match if La Junta,Colorado is awarded a grant to pay for railroad repairs.The Southwest Chief Passenger Service serves the southeast Colorado train route between Chicago,Illinois and Los Angeles, California. The eastbound and westbound trains on that route has stops inDodge City daily and is in need of an estimated $100 million in repairs.

Port Authority agrees to help fund Amtrak's Hudson River rail tunnel project

Page 7: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 7/13

NorthJersey.com ­ May 7, 2015The Port Authority will “step up to the plate” to help design, fund and build new train tunnels under theHudson River, its chairman said Thursday, a sudden change in policy for the bi­state agency, which hasnot included funding for the massive project in its 10­year, $25 billion capital plan.The shift by the Port Authority comes as Amtrak continues to work on the tunnel project, known asGateway. Already, the federally chartered company has built the foundation for a new tunnel between10th and 11th avenues on the West Side of Manhattan at a cost of $185 million. Now, phase two, toextend that effort west of 11th Avenue, is under way, said Amtrak board Chairman Anthony Coscia onThursday.

Study: Most Roads Don’t Pay for ThemselvesStreetsblog USA May 4, 2015A financial analysis by the think tank found that about four out of 10 U.S. highways don’t carry enoughtraffic to generate sufficient revenue to pay for their maintenance — let alone construction.CAP analyzed individual road segments from around the National Highway System. Using publiclyavailable traffic data, researchers were able to estimate how much revenue each segment generated interms of user fees paid by drivers, namely state and federal gas taxes. Those totals were then compared toaverage maintenance costs, assumed to be two resurfacings and one major reconstruction over the courseof 30 years.

We know where the transportation money is going ...Natural Resources Defense Council (blog)­May 8, 2015So, where does transportation money come from? Of the $27 billion invested in our transportation systemthis year, 49% comes from local and regional government, 27% is state­provided, and 24% is federalmoney.And where does it go? This year, 83% went to highways and roads (2% of which is specified for walkingand biking), and 17% went to transit and rail. The good news is that much of the money allocated toroads and highways can be spent on rehab and redesign, allowing projects to improve what already existsrather than building more.

ACTA numbers good, but need to grow to better service debtJOC.com­Mmay 9, 2015The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority had a good year in 2014 in terms of the number ofcontainers it handled and the revenue it generated, but if ACTA is going to stay on track for debtservicing, container volume moving through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach must get back to 5percent annual growth.

Contractor Says California Bullet Train Project to StartBloomberg­May 7, 2015Large­scale construction on a high­speed train linking California’s major cities will begin in June, thecontractor in charge of the $68 billion project said.“There’s no question that we’ll start on a major scale in June,” Ronald Tutor, chief executive of TutorPerini Corp., said on a Thursday conference call about earnings. “That one is pretty much put to bed.”

Doing the math on California's bullet train faresLos Angeles Times­May 10, 2015In the years since, the state high­speed rail agency has projected the fare would be $83, $105 and, mostrecently, $86.The current estimate would be one of the world's cheapest high­speed rail trips on a per­mile basis,assuming that it reflects a typical fare between downtown stations in Los Angeles and San Francisco, a

Page 8: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 8/13

Times analysis found.High Speed Rail fares and rail fares in general around the world are a lot like airfares, they reflectsupply and demand. You can get deals if you travel at a time demand is low. Or if you just have tobe there at this time and date, it will cost you more. This article fails to report this in its analysis ofrail fares around the world. Other High Speed Rail carriers have strongly urged the CHSRA to useairline "yield management ticketing" in California. NB

Renfe's AVE high­speed trains break recordsEuro Weekly News­May 5, 2015HIGH­SPEED and long distance rail operator Renfe’s AVE service broke existing records on May 1 bytransporting 125,467 people across Spain in one day.The holiday weekend prompted 8,302 more passengers than usual to use the high­speed rail service to getto their favourite May Day retreats, Europa Press reported. This broke the previous record, which was seton March 27 this year, the week before Easter.

Sobotka: Czechs are interested in high­speed rail to BerlinPrague Daily Monitor­May 5, 2015The Czech Republic, in cooperation with Germany, wants to modernise the rail connection between thetwo countries, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said after a meeting with German Chancellor AngelaMerkel Monday.He said the Czech Republic is interested in building a high­speed Prague­Berlin line.

Chinese cities vying for high­speed railAsiaOne­May 6, 2015"Everyone wants the high­speed rail here," Mr Tang, 56, told The Straits Times. "It'll boost ourdevelopment greatly."There is a snag though. The neighbouring city of Jingmen, located 80km to the north, wants the high­speed rail as well, triggering a modern­day battle.The clamour for high­speed rail is the latest incarnation of the competition for transport infrastructure inChina, which in the past took the form of cities or towns jostling for expressways and regular railroads.

What is to blame for the Valhalla train crashThe Journal News­May 8, 2015Three months after the Valhalla train crash that left six dead and injured 26 passengers and two railroadworkers, discerning clear responsibility for the crash remains a difficult task. It's possible that Vermonth'sTaconic collision caused the traffic that put Ellen Schaeffer Brody's SUV at the train crossing where shedied but, beyond that, ascribing fault has proven to be complex. Too complex, in fact, for some lawyerswho have filed suit after similar, previous cases.

New Mexico's commuter rail line faced with financial burdens12NewsNow.Com­May 7, 2015ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) ­ When launched in 2006, a New Mexico commuter rail line that wouldone day connect two of the state's most well­known cities was hailed as a progressive step toward takingpeople out of cars and putting them on the train.But as impressive a feat as it was for a poor state's huge foray into mass public transit, it comes at a price:The train earned $2.8 million last fiscal year in fares from more than a million riders, but cost $28.4million to operate.

SILICON VALLEY EXECUTIVES MEETING WITH SACRAMENTOLAWMAKERS

Page 9: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 9/13

KLIV AM Radio 1590 May 6, 2015"THEE" issues: transportation, housing, education, and energy. Guardino says the executives willadvocate legislation that addresses these issues, such as local state senator Jim Beall's bill calling forCaltrain electrification and extended funding for the BART extension into San Jose.

Caltrain to roll out six­car trainsSan Mateo Daily Journal­May 7, 2015In response to growing ridership, Caltrain will add an extra car Monday, May 11 to all Bombardier trainsets currently in operation. The sixth car will provide an additional 150 seats and increased standing roomduring the peak­hour commute, according to the transit agency...Caltrain was able to put four of the 16 cars into service almost immediately, following some maintenanceand minor repair and conversion work.The other 12 cars require more extensive repair work and will be rolled into service as they are ready,according to Caltrain.Caltrain purchased 16 used rail cars earlier this year in response to the growth indemand on the railroad and significant overcrowding on many of its peak hour trains.

Caltrain ridership hits all­time high — againSan Mateo Daily Journal­May 8, 2015Average weekday Caltrain ridership is at an all­time high at 58,245 passengers, a 71 percent increasesince 2010 when it was at 34,120, according to initial findings of an annual ridership count presented tothe Board of Directors Thursday.

San Jose: Fire on Caltrain tracks causes delays for Cinco de Mayo ...San Jose Mercury News­May 5, 2015A fire on the train tracks between the Diridon and Tamien stations has caused major delays for Cinco deMayo travelers, officials said.The fire was reported around 8:45 p.m., according to Caltrain officials.Investigators are working to figure out what may have caused the blaze.

Commuters find way home after nightmare day for BARTSF Gate May 6, 2015BART riders, accustomed to delays, endured an unusually trying day Wednesday when a broken rail —discovered during the heart of the morning commute — curtailed San Francisco service and caused asystemwide slowdown that lasted for more than six hours.As if that wasn’t enough, a PG&E power outage hit BART in the afternoon, prompting a three­stationshutdown in the East Bay just as workers finished repairing the busted metal back in the city.And there were two more morning delays spurred by debris and reports of a person on the tracks inContra Costa County.

Calif. Assemblywoman Introduces No­Strike BART ClauseNBC Bay Area­May 6, 2015Assemblywoman Catharine B. Baker (R­San Ramon) presented a bill on Wednesday in Sacramento thatwould prevent BART employees from striking during contract negotiations if the BART employeesalready had a no­strike clause and were continuing to be paid under the expired contract.

BART strike ban could be latest Republican casualtySacramento Bee­May 6, 2015The Republican bill graveyard is already stocked with fresh arrivals.Gone are measures that would overhaul teacher employment rules in response to last year's Vergararuling, expedite dam construction and remove transportation fuels from cap­and­trade. Proposals to undopast bans have faltered, as well: legislation lifting California's new plastic bag prohibition died in

Page 10: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 10/13

committee, and a bill reversing the lead ammo ban has not gotten a hearing.

Redlands City Council updated on Redlands Passenger Rail projectRedlands Daily Facts­May 6, 2015The project, which proposes to extend rail service 9 miles from downtown San Bernardino to theUniversity of Redlands, was environmentally cleared in March and is headed toward a two­year finaldesign phase, according to Mitch Alderman, director of transit and rail programs at San BernardinoAssociated Governments, the county’s transportation planning agency otherwise known as SanBAG.SanBAG officials expect to start the final design phase in September, which could take two years.Construction is anticipated to start in late 2017 with operations starting in late 2019, Alderman saidTuesday.

Light rail from Los Angeles to the Inland Empire on trackInland Valley Daily Bulletin­May 10, 2015“Continuing the Foothill Gold Line to Montclair will be a game­changer with more than 18,000 peopletaking the train every day between Azusa and Montclair alone,” said Habib Balian, chief executiveofficer, of the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority. “Those are people going towork, school, shopping, etc., and not using their cars. That reduces pollution, congestion and improvesthe overall quality of life.”He added that each city along the route is planning land­use developments around their future stations,allowing more people to live and work closer to public transit.“We have seen the benefits all along the Gold Line since it began operating in 2003, and it is significant,”he said.

Signs of restoration and remodeling around Los Angeles Union Station. On this covered walkway the

Page 11: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 11/13

original 1939 roof tiles are being pulled to reroof the walkway by the old Harvey House. Photo by NoelT. Braymer

We Get EmailsRe:Food on AmtrakI just returned from a trip to Houston, TX via the Coast Starlight and the Sunset Limited. We heard therumor that Amtrak is going to test feeding the passengers frozen dinners that you would pick out from awall unit so that there is no dining staff. Any truth to the rumor?LindaWhile anything is possible, no one at RailPAC has found any substance to this rumor. The pointremains: Amtrak will lose more money from lost revenue by cutting corners on food service than itwill save. NB

Re: Food and privatizationIn reply to the comments by Fr James Babcock, please don't assume privatization will make the foodservice on trains any better. Privatization of the railway network in the UK happened in the mid 1990's.Hot food prepared and served on trains is a rarity ­ even on long distance routes. Southampton toManchester is four and a half hours on a super railcar and the best you will get is a trolley with instant teaor coffee and biscuits and snack food. ( Gone are the days of freshly cooked fried egg sandwiches oncommuter services between Southampton or Portsmouth and London.)Is it any wonder there is an expanding market in take away shopsand supermarkets on and around majorstations in the UK? Regards, Neil Kearns PS The Swiss Railways can manage on train cooking on the metre gauge routes ­ check out the GoldenPass services on Zentralbahn and MOB, as well as the Glacier Express. They may be "private railways"but are funded by Cantonal and Federal government.

Re:Its not easy getting to get to SacramentoI am not sure if you know.Greyhound is no longer in Downtown Sacramento.Their depot is now about 3miles from the former site.The depot is about less a half mile from the RT Green Line Station. And is inthe middle of an industrial area. Jerry MartinI didn't know that. But then again it has been a long time since I took Greyhound. Greyhound hasmoved out of several of their old bus stations to new, cheaper locations. Generally they try to be inmulti­modal locations. In San Diego, Greyhound now stops by the 12th and Imperial TrolleyStation which is a junction for all 3 Trolley lines and next to the Baseball Stadium NB

Re: Pictures from the back of the trainYour admirable news summary this week ("AMTRAK at 44") starts with the sentence "View from theback...Camp Pendleton". The second heading is about the Coaster, and if one clicks on the underlinedtitle, the newspaper article appears. The article, reasonably enough, includes a picture of a Coaster. Good.But how do I get your photograph of the "View from the back..."? I've wondered about this for years! You are doing us a great service every week, and I'd like to see your photographs.Tom StreeterIt was luck that I got the picture you mention. I happened to be in the rear car of the MetrolinkTrain which was the cab­car in pull mode. Since no one was in the cab the area was clear and I gota view from the rear. Most times the train crews pull the blinds down on the door window to thecab­car in pull mode. and the access to the cab is roped of in push mode. NB

Page 12: RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 · 2015. 5. 5. · RailPAC Weekly ENewsletter for May 11, 2015 Edited by Noel T. Braymer Feel free to forward copies of this ENewsletter

5/28/2015 Print

https://us­mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=9jal2i8t132m1 12/13

Re: Doras BriggsI wanted to convey word I saw from NARP alumnus Scott Leonard via Facebook this morning,informing of the passing of Doras Briggs.In her 96 years, Doras rode trains for 91 of them. In her retirement in Emeryville, CA, she foundpurpose living immediately adjacent to the Amtrak station as she began engaging with passengers as anunofficial ambassador and member of Amtrak's Customer Advisory Committee and of NARP.Realizing the value that passengers got from a local helping hand, Doras founded the California StationHost program, working with Amtrak and Caltrans to create a credentialed volunteer regiment of friendlyfaces to greet and assist passengers as a supplement to Amtrak staff. This program has expanded toseveral stations over the years. Serving as a model for other states, the program has been officiallyadopted by North Carolina.Sincerely,Matt Melzer

Opinions expressed in this enewsletter are those of the authors and not necessarilythose of the Rail Passenger Association of California.

The RailPAC Mission: Passenger Rail advocacy, Publications…both print andelectronic, Representation at regional meetings, and Rail education.Join us! More memberships increase our strength in presenting the case for rail topolicymakers at all levels!

You can send your comments to me at [email protected]

For those who would like an additional copy of the eNewsletter with plain text(minus photos and graphics) just email me at [email protected] with yourname and email address. NB

If you are not a member, go to RailPAC Membership…Join Us! to getinformation about RailPAC and a FREE copy of our regular newsletter .

For information about RailPAC, contact the Membership Office

Write:Rail Passenger Association of California1017 L Street, PMB­217Sacramento, CA95814­3805Email us at [email protected]

Call at (415) 7­TRACK­2 (415) 787­2252

Unsubscribe from this list.

Copyright (C)Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC) All rights reserved.

Forward this email to a friend