Rail Passenger Association of California & Nevada

A SPECIAL REPORT by Anthony Lee, RailPAC director, Oakland — The proposed schedule is designed to provide advance train schedule of the Coast Starlight train 11/14, since the Coast Starlight is often sold out during peak periods such as holidays and during the summer period

Given the significant population growth along the Central Coast as well as Southern and Northern California, the reduction of Greyhound and airlines service, and increased congestion on the US101 Corridor: The proposed new train will provide an alternative and niche for those wanting to travel to the Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area-Northern California or Los Angeles and Southern California by train.After reviewing comments, suggestions and reviewing old and current train timetables of Amtrak, Caltrain, Metrolink, Coaster and Southern Pacific Lines, I came up with the following schedules and service suggestions for the proposed Coast Daylight. Continue Reading »

(Op-Ed from the San Jose Mercury News, Published July 23, 2006) By Arthur L. Lloyd and Paul Bendix — Bay Area Amtrak service to Seattle and Los Angeles has declined so dramatically that state rail agencies must intervene.

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By Paul J. Dyson, RailPAC President — It may come as a surprise that a 40 year veteran of passenger and freight rail advocacy is opposed to the idea of reopening the former Southern Pacific line linking Santa Clarita with Ventura (”the Santa Paula line”). The line parallels the busy state highway 126 for most of the route and would also appear to be an outlet for freight to and from Port Hueneme. Much of the route right of way is still in existence. So why the opposition?

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Sacramento — Reported by Russ Jackson.  Highlights:

• Improvement seen in on time performance of San Joaquins (photo)
• New engineer crew districts
• Two new studies in the works, and an interesting possibility of a new rail line south of Bakersfield
• Yosemite service to return
• New ACE train starts August 28, connecting with San Joaquins
• Liz O’Donoghue to leave Amtrak (photo)

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By Noel Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review — The biggest turn-off for most people using public transportation is the need to transfer between services to make connections to get to where they want to go. It has been estimated that half the potential ridership on a trip is lost each time people have to transfer. The problem is connections are often confusing, uncomfortable, time consuming or non-existent. Good, fast, simple and easy connections can make all the difference when traveling. Connections make it possible to greatly expand ridership and revenues at low additional cost. This is why airlines depend so much on hub airports. Connections allow longer trips which mean greater revenues when charging by the mile.

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