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Editorial: What really happened at Williams Junction?
By Noel T. Braymer I think everyone was shocked at news reports that an Amtrak crew left a diabetic man stranded in the middle of an Arizona forest near the Grand Canyon. News reports like this said “PHOENIX–A 65-year-old St. Louis man is missing after Amtrak personnel, mistaking his diabetic shock for drunk and disorderly…
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How is the California Zephyr doing since its schedule was lengthened?
Issues Commentary by Russ Jackson, RailPAC We all know that Amtrak trains 5 and 6, the California Zephyr, have been late regularly. From August, 2006 to June, 2007, the combined on time performance of both trains at their endpoints, Chicago and Emeryville, was 0.0%. On June 21, 2007, after arduous negotiations with the Union Pacific…
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Californians don’t love their cars, many have no choice.
June 1 Editorial by Noel Braymer In mid June of this year there were several news stories about a U.S. Census survey which showed that Americans, particularly Californians where driving alone more than ever. This is despite millions of dollars being spent to encourage car-pooling and ride sharing. Many of the stories in the papers…
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High Speed Rail Authority Adopts Phase 1: Anaheim to “the Bay Area”
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…
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The Salinas station has a big future!
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…
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Has California finally turned the corner on oil?
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…
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Caltrain Electrification
Commentary by Richard Silver, RailPAC Executive Director April 15, 2007 RailPAC Alert:Letter: Caltrain electrification will allow more small-town stops! The letter below by Menlo Park Resident Clem Miller is right on point. We, RailPAC, have tried to raise these points to the member of the Coalition to Expand Transit Service (Certs) but they refuse to…
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RailPAC President’s Thoughts on the March 17 Meeting
By Paul Dyson, RailPAC President I have to say that after many weeks of preparation I was very gratified to see an almost full room, nearly three hundred people with all three organizations well represented. We have a lot of dual members, which is great, as we need national and regional support groups. Having set…
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Funding For Rail Expansion In California – Grade Separation Projects
RailPAC Policy Initiative Grade Separation Funding – RailPAC’s view. RailPAC is concerned that a disproportionate amount of passenger rail funds is spent on grade separation projects. We believe that the State of California does not spend nearly enough on this important aspect of public safety. However, we need a new funding formula and mechanism to…
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LOSSAN and the Coast Route – A Plan for 2008 and Beyond
A policy idea presented for discussion and comment.20th February, 2007 From: Paul Dyson, President, RailPAC. Summary: The current standard of service is unacceptable and is not good use of taxpayer funds.