Steel Wheels in California 2010: The Countdown is On! March 29th, 2010
The countdown is on for Steel Wheels in California© 2010. April 17 is the date for what we believe will be our most informative and thought provoking conference and members meeting to date. RailPAC and NARP members and guests will meet at the Metro Board Room, One Gateway center at Los Angeles Union Station for a day of speakers, presentations and discussion, and if you’re a supporter of passenger rail you had better be there. Read the rest of this entry »
Metro/OCTA to CAHSRA: LA-Anaheim should be revisited March 25th, 2010
Arthur T. Leahy (CEO, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation) and Will Kempton (CEO, Orange County Transportation Authority) write to Curt Pringle (Chairman, California High Speed Rail Authority) asking CAHSPA to revisit the concept of a rational shared use option in the Anaheim to Los Angeles segment.
February California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance March 19th, 2010
Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA
Ridership for the Capitol Corridor in February 2010 continued to decline compared to February 2009 and 2008, but the monthly loss was less than prior month comparisons. Ridership for February 2010 was down by 4.7% and while the service was impacted by the second phase of the tie renewal program (February 22 – March 15, 2010) between San Pablo and Oakland, the ridership decline appears now to be the clear result of the three Friday furloughs per month for state government employees (which also impacts businesses, vendors, and service industries in the Capitol). It has been estimated that these furloughs are contributing to an approximate overall reduction of 5%, representing well over half of our YTD ridership decline.
There is Plenty of Traffic on the Weekends March 14th, 2010
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
Recently I was watching on a local access cable TV channel a discussion about plans to add 4 more lanes between Del Mar and Oceanside on the I-5 Freeway. The panel had representatives from Caltrans and SANDAG the planning agency for San Diego County. These 4 new lanes would be a combination HOV lanes and toll road for single occupancy vehicles. What got my attention was the fact that traffic on the I-5 is 10 percent heavier on the weekends than during the workweek and another 10 percent heavier in the summer than the rest of the year.
San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report March 13th, 2010
February 11, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
The San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee met February 11th and for the first time since October of 2009. The meeting took place inside the Castle Conference Center in Atwater. A special stop located at a railroad crossing directly across the street from the Castle Conference Center in Atwater was arranged by San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Facilitator, Arthur Lloyd in cooperation with the BNSF Railroad, Amtrak, and CalTrans Division of Rail.
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board Meeting Report March 13th, 2010
February 17, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board met for the first time in 2010 and for the first time under Managing Director David Kutrosky. Chair Jim Holmes representing the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency called the meeting to order. He reported on the legislative meeting that took place on February 10th and the Governor’s Budget Proposal.
Is CA HSR on Track for Successful Implementation? March 12th, 2010
A small shift in priorities could produce major benefits sooner and help build public support.
CRCC Technical Committee Meeting Report March 10th, 2010
February 26, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Dennis Story, RailPAC Director
The Coast Rail Coordinating Council Technical Committee meeting was held at the Derby Club, Seaside Park in Ventura on Friday, 2/26/10 from 11:00AM to 12:30PM.
Attendees: Pete Rodgers (SLOCOG), Bill Bronte (Caltrans Rail Division), Jonathan Hutchison (phone), Mike Powers (SBCAG), Scott Spaulding (SBCAG), Vic Kamhi (VCTC), Ed Skytt (SBCAG Rep.– Solvang), Dennis Story (RailPAC, CoastalRailNow) There were others present who I did not know. Note: No UPRR Rep present Read the rest of this entry »
Tracking Rail News . . . for March 2010 March 9th, 2010
PHOTOS and Comments by Russ Jackson
. . . Amtrak Western On Time Performance. On February 19, Train #1, the Sunset Limited arrived at Los Angeles Union Station at 8:20 AM. Nothing remarkable about that since its due at 8:40, but as crew members will tell you they consider that arrival time as being late as they usually arrive in the 7 o’clock hour these days.
TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report March 1st, 2010
February 1, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director
