Meeting Report and Commentary, May 23, 2007 By Russ Jackson, RailPAC The California High Speed Rail Authority, with four RailPAC members in attendance, met at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 23, to adopt a definitive “Phase 1” of its project, “taking into consideration the cost, ridership, and revenue data presented to the Board on…
from Paul Dyson, RailPAC President Dear RailPAC members and supporters: After the enthusiastic response to our March 17 meeting in Los Angeles, the Board of Directors met in April to discuss the next steps for RailPAC. We have come a long way. We now publish a monthly Newsletter, the Review, with articles and news of…
Letter to the Daily Californian from Chris Flescher, RailPAC Associate Director, Salinas To Dave Nordstrand: I read your article (May 19, 2007) about trains and the city of Salinas, and I wanted to make a few comments. I agree that cars and airplanes will probably continue to be the dominant mode of transportation in this…
Reported by Marcia Johnston, RailPAC Director Some news from the State budget analyst: “The May CA State Budget Revision, released today, also proposes to spend $187 million in 2007-08 from Proposition 1B transportation bonds approved by the voters in Nov. 2006 for the purchase of intercity rail cars and locomotives.” Heavy lobbying by the Capitol…
A PHOTO report by Russ Jackson, RailPAC What happened to trains 733, 6, and 724 that morning? 10:55 AM Saturday, May 12, 2007. Amtrak Thruway bus arrives at the Davis station bringing transfer passengers from Stockton who rode the San Joaquin train. This is the scheduled time of arrival of Capitol train 733 from Sacramento.…
Reported by Bruce Jenkins, RailPAC Director NOTE: Since the original publication of this report new information has been made available to this writer about the mockup of the new Cafe cars. This new info follows, then the original report is repeated. – BJ From Stanton Hunter, Rail Passenger Car Technology Branch, Caltrans Division of Rail…
Reported by Gene Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor JPA We received the April 2007 results for ridership and revenue. While California ridership remains strong overall, the Capitol Corridor is going through the roof. Once again, a new record has been set. We will have to re-adjust the scale on our monthly “How’s Business” reports, since…
Editorial By Noel T. Braymer This article was in a recent edition of the Los Angeles Times: STATE BUCKS TREND Californians buying less gas By Elizabeth Douglass “THE PRICE of gas really does matter after all. California added cars and drivers in 2006, but we bought less gasoline than the year before for the first…
A report from RailPAC Associate Director/InterMountainRail John Dornoff in Salt Lake City To be effective June 13! From the looks of it, most of the change is west of Salt Lake City. Train 5 will depart Salt Lake City 20 minutes earlier at 11:35PM. Depart Reno 12:03pm Depart Sacramento 5:50PM Arrive Emeryville 7:50PM Train 6…
from Executive Director Richard Silver This Update is from Capitol Corridor Director Gene Skoropowski via our friends from the Capitol Corridor Riders Groups. Please spread the word. I have added my own notes below about extra ferry service, and BART service. Gene reports: Just in case you missed it, a gasoline tanker truck lost control,…