Year: 2004

  • The Future of Intercity Passenger Service

    “Business as usual is a recipe for failure.” — Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta in referring to Amtrak, July 2003. by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Norman Mineta is an old trusted friend, a former Congressman from California, the only Democrat in the Bush Cabinet; he is no right wing ideologue. His Department of…

  • How Are Trains Doing In The State’s Budget?

    by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Things can be confusing with all the political battles being fought over the California State budget. The budget proposed by the Governor keeps in place the current level of subsidy for Rail Operations. This means no cuts can be expected for state-supported rail services if the Governor’s budget…

  • On the Release of the High Speed Rail Draft Environmental Report

    PRESS RELEASE — The Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC) is the largest statewide membership organization working since 1985 for the expansion and improvement of passenger rail service in California and Nevada. RailPAC has been an enthusiastic supporter for the establishment of a high speed rail system that will serve the entire state. Transportation in…

  • Time To Kill The “Metroliner Experiment”

    by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — If I were to date the true beginning of Amtrak it wouldn’t be in 1971. Instead I would say 1964 with the creation of the Metroliner experiment. In the wake of the very successful introduction in Japan of the Shinkansen Trains with speeds of 125 mph, the call…

  • Plan now for the next Emergency

    by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — In both the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge Earthquakes, Caltrain, BART and Metrolink proved the value of passenger rail service as a transportation alternative in an emergency. It is not too soon to plan ahead for the next disaster and the role rail can play in it.…