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Remembering George Gaekle
By Russ Jackson, with contributions by Art Lloyd, Bruce Jenkins and several of his close friends George Gaekle, 88, passed away May 24, 2010. He was a RailPAC Director and associate director, NARP Director, and a long time advocate of improving the rail passenger opportunities particularly in the San Joaquin Valley. One of the founding…
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TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report
May 3, 2010 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director There was a recommendation to create an Ad Hoc Committee for proposed stations. The group members would visit the sites of the proposed Castroville and Pajaro Stations, plus the existing Salinas train station. The recommendation passed. The RPC has recently met with the operators of the Capitol…
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Redding: Come by Train and Bring Your Bike
What does Redding Offer the Traveler? Report by Robert L. Reynolds
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UP Extortion Letter to CA Shows That FRA/Congressional Legislative Guidance Are Needed
Commentary by Dennis Lytton, Director Earlier this week, the Union Pacific Railroad distributed to the media, particuarly the San Jose Mercury News, their letter to the Authority of April 23, 2010. In it they outline their most forceful position thus far of not cooperating with high speed rail. Significantly, their letter above asserts the following claims:…
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Demonstrating Why We Need New Railcars Now: Amtrak #763
Commentary by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Director and Website Editor On Saturday, May 15 Amtrak passengers were not allowed to board Pacific Surfliner #763 in Chatsworth. Would-be passengers reported the Conductor designated the train as “overcrowded and unsafe”. Ridership was high on this run due to passengers traveling to the Strawberry Festival. We desperately need new railcars in…
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TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report
April 5, 2010 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director Presentation from planners working on the HSR segment San Jose – Merced In 2035, if the fare is at the lower planned level, then the expected ridership is 100 million people per year. The run time from San Francisco to Los Angeles, phase 1, will…
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April California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance
Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA After the first increase in 13 months, ridership for the Capitol Corridor in April 2010 was just slightly below April 2009 by 0.5%. As mentioned in previous monthly reports, the greatest impediment to ridership gains is the on-going mandate of three (3) Friday furloughs per month for state government employees (which…
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Our Vision for Rail in California and Nevada
CONNECTIONS! It’s all about connections. Depending on your journey you may live close to a station that has a direct service to your destination. But there’s a good chance that you’ll need to transfer, from bus to train, light rail to high speed rail, Surfliner to long distance Amtrak. RailPAC’s campaign is all about connections…
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CSCN Outlines How to Improve Amtrak’s Coast Starlight
May 6, 2010 — The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak’s 15 long-distance passenger rail routes, serving 27 cities between Los Angeles and Seattle. The route has been described as “one of the most fascinating journeys on the West Coast. It will take your breath away.” The route offers unparalleled experiences of the western states…
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San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report
April 29, 2010 Meeting in Fresno Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director After the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee went right into public comments on non-agenda items. One speaker stepped up to speak, and that was RailPAC Treasurer Bill Kerby. Bill spoke on three critical matters: Highlights of the…