THE COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT: NEXT STEPS FOR EXPANDING PASSENGER RAIL IN VIRGINIAByRichardRudolph,Ph.D.,Chairman,RailUsers’Network

This y ear’sconferenceis tak ingplaceF riday,May17,from9: 00amto5:00p.m.a ttheoff icesof Virg iniansforHighS peedRail,5101MonumentAve.,Richmond,V irg inia.Theconference,whichis sponsoredbytheRa ilUsers ’NetworkandV irg iniansforHighSpeedRail,willexaminewhat’s happening intheCommonwealthregardingpassengerrailissues.

Thefocuswillbeonrecentsuccessstories,whichprojectsaremovingforwardandwhicharestandingstillandcouldusemorehelp.Timewillalsobesetasidetohearfromthegrassrootsrailadvocateswhoareworkingatthestateandlocalleveltoexpandpassengerrail.

ThedaywillbeginwithopeningremarksgivenbyDannyPlaugher,ExecutiveDirector,VirginiansforHighSpeedRailandRichardRudolph,RUNChair.

Themorninginvitedfeaturedspeakersinclude:theHonorableA.DonaldMcEachin,CongressmanwhoservesonthenewCongressionalClimateChangeCommissionandrepresentsthe4thdistrictinVirginia.Hewilltalkabouttheclimateimpactoftransportationandbenefitsofrail.

JayMcArthur,PrincipalOfficer,StatePartnerships,atAmtrak,willtalkaboutopportunitiesregardingstatesupportedservices,theNortheastCorridorandthenationalnetwork.(Invited)

MichaelR.McClellan,VPofStrategic Planning atNorfolkSouthern,willtalk aboutsomeof

thechallengesthatNSiscurrently facing andwhatwouldbeneededtofurtherexpandpassengerrailinVirginia.

MeredithRichards,President,VirginiaRailPolicyInstitutewillreviewthepresentstateofrailinVirginiaandtheneedtochangetheparadigmintherelationshipbetweenthepublicandprivatesectorsifwearetoprotecttheinterestsofbothfreightandpassengerrailinthefuture.

Themorningsessionwillclosewithapanelpresentationfocusedonbestpractice.ItwillbemoderatedbyAndrewAlbert,Vice-Chair,RailUsersNetworkandChair,NewYorkTransitRidersCouncil.ThepanelwillfocusonbestpracticesusedbyrailadvocatesinVirginia.PanelistsincludeDannyPlaugher,ExecutiveDirector,Virginiansfor

Continuedonpage6

GOV. CUOMO PUSHES CONGESTION PRICING, THREATENS TO “BLOW UP” THE MTAByAndrewAlbert

AsthedeadlineforpassageoftheStateBudgetdrawscloser,GovernorAndrewCuomohasratcheteduptherhetorictobringinmuch-neededrevenueforNewYork’sMetropolitanTransportationAuthority,whichisstrugglingtoprovideserviceandmaintenanceforitssprawlingsystemofsubways,buses,andcommuterrail,servingover11millionriderseachandeveryday.

MayorBilldeBlasio,whohashad

somethingofanongoingfeudwithGovernorCuomooveravarietyofissues—includingfinancialsupportfortheMTA—hasfinallyfoundsomethingheandtheGovernorcanagreeon:asystemofcongestionpricingforManhattansouthof61stStreet,whichwouldbringinanestimated$15billionperyear.Otherpossiblerevenuestreamswouldbeataxoncannabis,iflegalizationgoesthrough,aswellasaninternetsalestax.ThosetwosourcescouldallowtheMTAtoissuerevenuebondsworth$7

billionperyear.WithNYCTransitPresidentAndyByford’sFastForwardplanexpectedtocostsomethingintheareaof$40billion,thesesourcesofrevenueareagoodstart—butnowherenearenoughtogetthejobdonethewaymostNewYorkerswouldliketosee.

Additionally,Gov.Cuomohasbeguntoregularlytrash-talktheMTA’sleadership,includingitsBoard,andhascomeupwithseveralwaysto“neuter”

Continuedonpage9

NEWSLETTERSPRING 2019 VOL. 16 ISSUE 2

RUNRAILUSERSNETWORK

INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS

Report from New Mexico p. 2

Amtrak Issues an RFP p. 3

Things Keep Getting Worse for NJ Rail Riders p. 4

Passenger Trains in Washington State: Challenges and Good News p. 5

Virginia Rail’sRecord of Success

p. 7

Cuomo Does Something Right for L Train Riders

p. 10

Synopsis of the Transportation Package p. 11

Long-Distance Rail in the Western U.S., Part 5 p. 13

REPORT FROM NEW MEXICO

ByJWMadison

Albuquerque“Transit”Again:

HereareafewrelevantitemsfromtheminutesofthemostrecentAlbuquerqueTransitAdvisoryBoardmeeting,completewithauthor’scomments. Aroundhere,“Transit”means“Buses.”

** RidershipforJanuary2019was716,000;an8%declinecomparedtoJanuary2018.

** Revenueonfixedroutesisdown2.77%. Don’taskmehowthiscompareswiththeabove 8%.

** Ourbusdriversjustreceiveda$3.00/hr.payraise. Thispartiallyclosesa$4.00/hr.paygapbetweenthebusdriversandthegarbagetruckdrivers(inthelatter’sfavor).

** SunVan(handicapped)ridershipispresentlyflat,buthasgrown1.2%thispastfiscalyear.

** TheCitywillimplementsigningbonusesinordertorecruittheseveraldozendriversneededtobring“ABQRide”uptosomesufficientstaffinglevel. GottacompetewiththeinducementsoftheSolidWasteDept.

** ThefancynewARTbuses havenotpassed thedurabilitytestsrequiredforFTAfunding.Bigsurprise. However,several kindsofregular40’buses havepassed. Choicesincludeelectric,“cleandiesel,”hybriddiesel,andCNG.

And,themostjoyousitemofall——

** “Isthereapossibilitythatstreetcarswillbeused?” “No. Streetcarsareoutoftheequation.”

Goodgrief.

RailsInc andtheNMLegislature:

RailsInc (andbyextensionRUNandtheRWU)havebeenhauntingtheRoundHouse(ourstateCapitol)withatablefullofliteratureandourbeamingwell-scrubbedselves. Wehavetalkedwithalotofpeople,manyfriendly,andmovedalotofmaterialfromall3ofthesefineorganizations. MostoftheRUNmaterialyouallsentmefortheseoccasionshasdisappearedintothehandsofhopefullyfriendlysupporterswithafewextrabuckschokinguptheiraccounts.

WehaveaMemorialintheworksinthestateSenate. ThesponsoringSenatorissupportive,buthe’sworkingon“big”stufflikelegalizationofmarijuana. LasttimeIspokewithhim,hewantedtoknowifoureffortduplicatesarecently-passedMemorial(SM18)supportingAmtrakandtheSWChief. SM18isniceandall,butitpassedunanimously,whichtousmeansNotEnoughTeeth.

OuritemseekstourgeournewGovernortorevivetheprocessofbuyingtheAnthony-BelenandtheLamy-Raton(allNM)segmentsfromtheBNSF,aprocessbegunbyGov.RichardsonandkilledbyGov.Martinez. WeconsiderourMemorialcomplementarytotheonealreadypassed. AsIwritethis,it’snotclearwhethermySenatorfriendwillfeelthesameway. Hemightfeelthatwe’redoing

greattoget any damnpassengerrailpiecethroughtheSenate. Hemightwellberight,butI’mstillyankingonhissleeve. AsIwritethis,Ihavenotheardfromhim.

HighSpeed“vs.”RegularRail:

Someyearsago,in Railmagazine,IpublishedanarticleIcalled “HighSpeedRailNetwork? HowAboutAny RailNetwork? Thesentimentstillapplies.

The“difficulties”relatedtotheCaliforniaHighSpeedRailinitiativecannotallbelaidatthefeetofouropposition. IwishtheTexaseffortallthebest,especiallysincethetaxpayerisnotonthehookforit,BUT——inacountry——

1) whosecompletepassengerRailnetworknolongerexists,2) inwhichwhat’sleftisunderunrelentingdeadlythreat, and3) wheremostAmericanswantmoreandbetterordinaryrailandrailtransit;

—— ataxpayer-fundedscatteringofHiSpeedfragmentsjustis not thewaytogo.

Rememberthecliche aboutwalkingbeforerunning? TheRailsInc graphicattachedtothisarticleprettymuchexplainsitall. Keepinthefrontofyourmindsthatjustabouteveryportionofourlargerthirdmap stillexists, astracksegmentsoratleastasintactrightofway.

MyOwn$1.98VisionaryMaterial:

I’mhankeringforsomefeedbackaboutmy CommentarypieceinthelastNewsletter. Loveit,hateit,orinbetween,I’dsureliketohearfrommymoreeruditeand“professional”readers.

J.W.MadisonisaRUNBoardMemberandpresidentofRailsInc,basedinAlbuquerque,NM.

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 OF 16

AMTRAK SEEKS NEW CARS

ByBillEngel

ThisauthorfirstboardedanAmtrakAmfleet 1coachLaborDayWeekendof1976fromaplatformatPhiladelphia’s30thStreetStation.ComeLaborDay2019,thatwillbe43yearsago!Amazingly,thosecarsarestill thebackboneofthecarfleetindailyserviceontheNortheastCorridor (NEC)aswellasotherNortheastern services.TheyhaveoutlivedboththeGG-1andAEM-7electric locomotivesthatoncehauledthemunderwiresaswellasF40PHandotherdieselelectriclocomotivemodelsinnon-electrified territory. SoIwasexcitedtoseeAmtrak’sJan.18newsreleaseannouncingrequestsforproposalstoreplacethem,notonlyontheNECbutonstate-supportedservicesintheregionandelsewhereinthecountry.

Thereleasedidnotincludeanydetailedspecifications,excepttomentionlargepicturewindows,improvedseating,ADAcompliance,andweathertightvestibules.ToanyonewhohasriddenAmfleet IorIIcoachesinupstateNewYorkinwinter,thishastobewelcomenews.

Obviously,theywillhavetofitclearancesatNewYorkCity’sPennsylvaniaStationaswellastheBaltimoreTunnels.MyopinionisthattheywillneedtofittheclearancesatNewYorkCity’sGrandCentralTerminalaswell,foroperationalflexibility.Norwerecartypesmentioned.

TheoriginalAmfleet carsincludedcoachcarsaswellasfoodservicecarswitha

TheAmfleet 1coachesthat thisauthor rodein1976arestillthebackbone ofthecar fleetonAmtrak’s NortheastCorridor.center-of-car service area.Itwill beinteresting toseewhatcompaniesrespond to Amtrak’sRFP.Siemensbuiltcoach carsforFlorida’s Brightline. TheSpanishcompany CAFhasbuilt streetcarsfor severalUScities. Theirorder forbaggagecars, dining cars, andsleeping

carsfrom Amtrakisnot yetfullydelivered (and waybehind schedule) soonehastowonder iftheywill evenmakearesponse.

NomentionwasmadeinthenewsoftheRFPofcarsforlong-distancetrains.TheSuperlinerIcarscurrentlyinuseonthosetrainsarenearlyasoldastheAmfleet Icars.GiventheageofthelongdistancecarsintheAmtrakfleet,actionwillbeneededsoonforreplacements.

Another issue aboutcars istheageofthesingle-level fleetin usebetweenChicago andNewYorkCity, aswell asbetween NewYorkCity andMiamiandbetween NewYorkCity, Atlanta, andNewOrleans.TheAmfleet IIcoachesonthose trains entered service inthe early1980s.

IurgeRUNNewsletterreaderstochecktheAmtrakwebsiteoftenfornewsreleasesaboutAmtrakequipmentplans.

BillEngelisaRUNBoardMemberbasedinCanalFulton,OH.

The Rail Users’ Newsletter is published quarterly by the Rail Users’ Network, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation. Current board members include: NameRichard Rudolph, ChairAndrew Albert, Vice-ChairChuck Bode, Membership Secretary Steve Albro, Treasurer David Peter Alan, Esq. Mela Bush-Miles James E. Coston, Esq. Bill Engel Dana Gabbard Steve HastalisJ.W. Madison Andy SharpePhil StrebyKen Westcar

LocationPortland, MENew York, NYPhiladelphia, PACleveland, OHSouth Orange, NJBoston, MAChicago, ILCanal Fulton, OHLos Angeles, CAChicago, ILAlbuquerque, NMPhiladelphia, PAPeru, INWoodstock, ON

AffiliationNARP / TrainRiders Northeast, Maine Rail Group New York City Transit Riders CouncilTri-State Citizens’ Council on Transportation Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board Lackawanna Coalition Greater 4 Corners Action Coalition (MBTA) Corridor Capital LLC Ohio Rail Tourism Association Southern California Transit Advocates National Federation for the Blind Rails Inc. SEPTAIndiana Passenger Rail Alliance InterCityRail

Please send comments, letters to editor or articles for possible publications to the Rail Users’ Network at: RUN; P.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104 or email to rrudolph1022@gmail.com

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 OF 16

Editorforthisissue:PaulBubny

ByDavidPeterAlan

ThebeleagueredrailridersoftheGardenStatejustcan'tseemtogetanywherewithoronNewJerseyTransit(NJT);sometimesliterally.Duringthepastyear,NJTsuspendedallserviceontwolines,inflictedsharpcutsonothers,andeliminatedanumberoftrainsonstillothers.Someofthecutsappearedtoberandom,butsomanytrainswereannulledthatrailservicehasneverbeenlessreliable.

Tomakemattersworse,nobodyknowswhenfullserviceonanyoftheselineswillcomeback,ifiteverdoes,becauseNJTmanagementhasnotsaid.Ontopofthat,politicsintheGardenStatehasdealtmoreblowstotransitriders,withanewstatutethatpurportsto“reform”theagencywithoutactuallydoingso,andan“audit”thatGov.PhilipMurphyorderedshortlyafterhetookoffice,whichalsoleavestransitridersoutinthecold.

ThebigquestioninNewJerseythesedaysis:“Whenarewegettingourtrainsback?”andridersalloverthestatewanttoknow.SinceLaborDaylastyear,therehasbeennoserviceontheAtlanticCityRailLine(betweenthatcityandPhiladelphia)orontheDinky,ashortshuttletrainbetweenPrincetonJunctiononAmtrak'sNortheastCorridor (NEC)andalocationclosertodowntownPrinceton.WhileNJTisprovidingsubstitutebusservice,formerrailriderswanttheirtrainsback,andsomeareconcernedthattheywillbegoneforever.

TheGladstoneBranch,whichsplitsofffromtheMorris&Essex(M&E)lineatSummit,hasnotrainsonweekends,onlysubstitutebuses.Thereareno“one-seat-ride”trainstoPennStation,NewYorkontheRaritanLine,andotherlineshavelostselectedtrains.

Therearenobusestofillthegapsonthoseservices,withoneexception.NJThascontractedwithLakelandBusCo.,aprivatecarrier,torunabusfromDovertoSummitat11:30onweeknightstosubstitutefor

thelastinboundtrainoftheevening,whichwaseliminatedlastyear.Itwasthiswriter'sadvocacy,throughtheLackawannaCoalitionandonbehalfoftheriders,thatgotthesubstitutebusrunning.Asaresult,late-nightriderswillbeabletogethome,insteadofbeingstranded.

Foritspart,NJTblamesPositiveTrainControl(PTC)forthecurrentlackofservice.PTChasalsobecomethe“excuseofchoice”for“equipmentavailability”issuesthatNJTusesasareasontoannultrains,oftenrandomlyandwithlittleornoadvancenotice.Theannulmentscanhappenatanytime,frompeak-commutinghourstoweekends.PTCitselfisnolongeranexcuse,sinceNJTcompletedenoughoftheinstallationbytheendoflastyeartosatisfytheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA),atleastfornow.Theentireinstallationmustbecompletedbytheendof2020.

ManagementhasgenerallyreceivedhighmarkslatelyforitsprogressonPTCafteryearsofdelay,buttheagencycontinuestofaceashortageofengineers.Thereareseveralclassesofnewengineersbeingtrained, butmanagementwillnotsayhowmanyofthesenewhireswillbeavailabletodrivethetrains,andwhentheywillbecomeavailable.Instead,thedateforanyservicerestorationkeepsbeingpushedback,andmanagementoffersnousefulinformation toitsembattledandfrustratedriders.

Originally,alltrainspurportedlyeliminatedfromthescheduletoaccommodatePTCinstallationwouldbebackbythefirstoftheyear.ThenitwastheendofJanuary.Inmid-December,thedatewasmovedforwardtomid-March.Finally,onJan.25,NJTannouncedthatservicewouldberestored“duringthesecondquarter”of2019.ThatcouldtheoreticallymeanassoonasApril1,buteveryoneisnowlookingatJune30,andmanyfindeventhatdatedifficulttobelieve.

NJThadinstituteda25%reductioninfaresonthebusesthatsubstituteforAtlantic

Citytrains,andriderstherestillhavethatdiscount.Elsewhere,managementgaveridersa10%reductionuntiltheendofJanuary(andhadhonoredthoseticketsthroughFebruary).Thediscountwasrevokedonschedule,eventhoughnotasingletrainhasbeenrestored,andannulmentscontinuetoeatawayattheschedulethatisleft.Ridersandtheiradvocates,includingtheLackawannaCoalition,areupsetandtheyarecomplainingbut,atthiswriting,managementhasrefusedtoprovideanypertinentinformation,sayingonly“we'redoingthebestwecan.”

RidersfromSouthJersey,theiradvocates,andtheirelectedofficialshavetakenlongbusridestoNewarktoasktheNJTBoardandseniormanagementwhentheywillgettheirtrainsback.Sohavetheircounterpartsfromelsewhereinthestatewhohavelostonlysome,andnotall,oftheirtrains.Theanswerfromthe“powersthatbe”isthesameforeverybody:nopromisesorusefulinformation.

Inthemeantime,theNewJerseyLegislaturehaspassedabillthatpurportstobring“reform”toNJTbut,inreality,doesnot.Therewillbesomeso-called“riderrepresentative”positionsontheBoard,buttheywillbenamedbythePresidentoftheSenateortheSpeakeroftheAssembly,ifnotbytheGovernor,sohigh-levelpoliticalconnectionswillstillberequired.“Transportationprofessionals”nominatedby“establishment”groupswillbeeligible,butthereisnoreasontobelievethatsucheligibilitywillextendtomore“grassroots”organizationsliketheLackawannaCoalitionortheNewJerseyAssociationofRailroadPassengers(NJ-ARP).

OnbehalfoftheLackawannaCoalition,thiswritercampaignedvigorouslyfortherequirementthatatleastonetransit-dependentpersonbeamemberoftheNJTBoard.Thatinitiativegotnowhere,soonlymotoristswillgoverntransitinNewJersey,atleastfortheforeseeablefuture.

Continuedonpage15

NJ RIDERS DON’T GET ANY RESPECT, OR EVEN KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THEIR TRAINS BACK

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 OF 16

PASSENGER TRAINS IN WASHINGTON STATE: TWO NEW CHALLENGES, SOME GOOD NEWS

ByLloydH.Flem

Washington State’s rail passengerfuturefacesacouple ofissues beyondthat ofthestill-pending recovery from theDec.18, 2017fatalAmtrak501disastersouthwest ofTacomathat tookthreelives, including twomost vitalmembersofAllAboardWashington. Afull moving-onfrom thattragedy awaitsthepublication offinal findings oftheNational Transportation Safetyboard,which rail advocateshope will occur inthenext fewmonths.

Washington isprominent amongtheWestern statesinwhich directdemocracy, intheform oftheinitiative,canresult in rather decided changes instatelaw.Oneofthe morefamous(somemight sayinfamous)wasthesuccessfulinitiative tolegalize recreational aswellasmedical marijuana. Washington andColorado werethe first statesto soact.Themostimportant impacts intheEvergreen Statewereverysignificant taxmonies fromthetightly controlled andheavilytaxedWeed.

Apending initiative with muchmoreimpact onpassenger railadvocates isI-976, which would dramatically cut backmotor vehicle taxesandfees, thuseliminating funds which helppayfortransit andforsomeoftheoperation andcapital fund forthe AmtrakCascadestrains. Stateagencies, including WSDOT,bylawmustremain neutral oninitiatives.AllAboardWashington, though a 501C3non-profit, maytakepublic positions onissues, but notasanorganizationsupporting individual candidates. Wehaveopposed I-976, including afewofuswith our owndemonstration attheCapitol thedaythe proponents of“only$30vehicle fees”brought boxesofsignedpetitions tothe SecretaryofState’s office.

Washington,thoughnotedforbeingsociallyprogressive,canalsobequiteeconomicallyconservative(“Legalizepotbutdon’traisemytaxes!”)Voters’“instinctive”supportforI-976maybetemperedinthat,ifpassed,it

canoverridelocaljurisdictions’abilitytohelpfundlocaltransitorevenroadimprovements.Somewhogenerallylikelowertaxesandfeesmaybalkatgrantingabiggergovernmentcontrol(theState)overlocalchoice.

Probablymoreimportant isthattheauthor ofI-976literally makeshislivingbywriting andpushinginitiatives, oftendealingwithcutting taxesorfees,especiallythosethatbenefittransportation. But hisreputation ofbeinganeccentric public scoldmayassistopponents ofI-976,assomevotersmayvote“no’ becauseMr.TimEymanauthored It!

ThecrashofmuchofCalifornia’shighlypublicizedhigh-speedrailadventurearrivedataninterestingtimeinourWashington.Gov.JayInslee,astrongproponentofenvironmentalcauses,wasjustintheprocessofpublicizingthestatefundsforacomprehensivestudyofultra-high-speedrailtobeconsidered betweenSeattletoVancouver,BCandtoPortlandOR,whentheCalifornianewshit.

Passengerrail advocatesherewerepleasedthegovernorisshowinginterestinpassengerrail,albeit thatwhichwouldbeincredibly costly, completeddecadesfromnow,andmaynotbereallyneededfortherelativelyshort distancesbetweenthethreebigCascadiancities.Whenasked,IpraiseGovernor Inslee’snew-foundinterest inpassengertrains, butpushforthetried andtrue incrementalgrowth ofpassengerrailservicehereinthePacificNorthwest.

Although Insleehassupport amongthoseofthewealthy techie community aroundSeattle andVancouver, hisannounce-ment that hetoowill likelyberunningfor U.S.President maycloud thebusinessofhisUHSRpush.Whereas ourfirstchallenge isaiding inthedefeat ofI-976,our second ishelping tokeepthe focusondoable andaffordable incrementalgrowth andimprovement ofourcurrentconventional intercity rail system.

ThegoodnewsistherenaissanceofWashingtonState’sLegislativeRailCaucus.TheLRChadfalteredwhenitsprimaryfounder,formerRep.LuisMoscoso,wasnolongerintheLegislaturebeginningwiththe2017session.(Luis isAllAboardWashington’sLegislativeAffairsDirector,assumingmuch of AAWA’sheavyliftingforme,whoafter33years,isretiringasExecutiveDirector.Atage80,probablyaboutmytime!)

Nowadding muchinterest, knowledge,commitment andenergytothe LRC isRep.Andrew Barkis, whom, itcould besaid, ismorethan arail advocate.ABisarailfan! Rep.Barkis isaRepublican, asarea number of legislators, manyfrompolitically conservative EasternWashington, whosupport passengerrailandwantservice expanded totheir 60%ofthestate.

AAWAhasbeenworkingtorestorepassengerrailserviceintheStampedePass(originalNP)routethroughtheYakimaValley.(Thisoldgeographyprofasksyounon-Northwesterners toconsultanactualmap!)OnTuesday,March5,AAWAleadersmetwiththeRailCaucusatadowntownOlympiapubtodiscuss,amongotherthings,movingforwardwiththerestorationofYakimavalleyservice.

Itisrecognized that in Congress andinmanystates, Democrats arebettersupporters ofpassenger rail thanRepublicans. Here, Republicanlegislators are atleast asaffirmative asDemocrats concerning intercity rail,though not sowith Seattle-centric railtransit. Wesee, however, that asofearly March, the future for intercity rail,freight and passenger, hassolid stategovernment support thanks totheagain-vital LRC.Weare delighted towork with them.

LloydH.Flem isExecutiveDirector,AllAboardWashington.

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 OF 16

THE COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT: NEXT STEPS FOR EXPANDING PASSENGER RAIL IN VIRGINIA

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 6 OF 16

Bynowyoushouldhavereceivedourannualappealletter.Whileitisalwaysdifficulttoaskforfinancialhelp,yourgenerositywillhelpustocontinueanddeepenourworkinthecomingyea.Pleaseconsidermakingatax-deductiblecontributionbeforetheendofthistaxyear.Railadvocacyisimportanttoabalancednationaltransportationsystem.Eachorganizationisstrongerworkingtogetherratherthanindividually;RUNcanmakeastrongercaseforrailservicewithageographicallydiverse,largermembershipbase.Yourcontributionwillstrengthenourimpactandbroadenourreachaswecontinuetorepresentallrailpassengers,includinglongdistance,commuter,andtransitriders.YoucandonateonlineusingyourcreditcardorPayPalaccountontheRailUsers’NetworkwebsiteormakeacheckouttoRUNandmailittoBox8015,Portland,ME04104.Wethankyouinadvanceforyoursupportandhopeyouhaveagreatholidayseasonandnewyear.

See any red on your address label?

It means your dues are past due!

Please remit immediately to continue receivin g the RUN Newsletter!

THE COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT: NEXT STEPS FOR EXPANDING PASSENGER RAIL IN VIRGINIA

Continuedfrompage1

HighS peedRail;MeredithRichards,F ounderof Cville Rail& thePiedmontRailCoalitionandPres ident,V irginiaRailPolicyI nstitute;andpossiblyothers.

Duringlunch,participantswillhaveanopportunitytoshareinformationandexperiencesregardingtheireffortsandthoseoftheirorganizationstopromotepassengerrailandrailtransitintheirlocalareas.

TheafternoonsessionwillbeginwithMichaelMcLaughlin,ChiefofRailTransportationintheVirginiaDepartmentofRailandPublicTransportation.Hewilltalkaboutthestate’srailplanandthedepartment’spriorityprojects,includingaddingcapacitytotheLongBridgeoverthePotomacRiver,whichisamajorchokepoint,implementingadditionalcapacityimprovementstothecorridorinNorthernVirginia,andeffortstoestablishasecondfrequencytoLynchburgandRoanoke,aswellaseffortstoextendpassengerrailtoSouthwesternVirginia.

Therestoftheafternoonwillbedevotedtotwopanelpresentationsandanaudienceforum.ThefirstwillbemoderatedbyRichardRudolph,Ph.D.,whoisalsoaDirectoroftheMaineRail

Group.ItwillfocusonExpandingPassengerRailinVirginiaandBeyond.

Panelistsinclude:TripPollard,Esq.,SouthernEnvironmentalLawCenter,whowilltalkaboutwhathashappenedwiththeproposedsecondfrequencytoLynchburgandRoanoke;EllenTolton,CDBGCoordinator/EZAdministrator,whowillfocusherremarksontheneweconomicimpactstudywhichhasjustbeenreleasedregardingrestoringpassengerservicetoBristol;EdLawhorn,President,NRVMarketExecutive,UnionBank&Trust,whowilltalkabouttheworkoftheNewRiverValleyRailCoalition2020;andKenAnderson,President,VirginiansforHighSpeedRail,willshedlightontheworkoftheorganizationtobringhighspeedrailtoVirginia.

Continuedonpage15

ByRichardRudolph,Ph.D.,Chairman,RailUsers’Network

ReprintedfromPassengerTrainJournal,2019–1,Issue278.

ThisisthesixthinaseriesofarticlesthathighlightswhatrailadvocatesaredoingtoimproveandexpandpassengerrailandtransitservicesinNorthAmerica.

TheSouthernEnvironmentalLawCenter,inpartnershipwithVirginiansforHighSpeedRail(VHSR),theHamptonRoadChamber,andtheNewRiverValleyRail2020organization,recentlyissuedareportcalled“Virginia’sPassengerTrains,BuildingonSuccess”,whichoutlinesavisionforimprovingpassengerrailserviceintheCommonwealth.Goalsincludetriplingtheamountofpassengerrailserviceinthestate,reducingtriptimesupto35%,increasingon-timereliabilitytomorethan90%,andexpandingservicetoreach85%ofVirginians.Whilethesegoalsmayseemwildlyoptimisticgiventhelackofprogressinmanyotherstates,Virginiahasanoutstandingrecordofsuccessinpromotingandexpandingpassengerrailduringthepast15years.

EvenbeforeVirginialauncheditsfirststatesupportedintercitytraintoLynchburgin2009,railadvocateswereatworktryingtoconvincethestatelegislaturetoprovideanannual$50-millionfundingsourceforrailfreightandpassengerrailprojects.In2004,Amtrak’sNECserviceinVirginiacomprised184miles,withstationstopsatAlexandria,Franconia/Springfield,Woodbridge,Quantico,Fredericksburg,Ashland,Richmond,Williamsburg,andNewportNews.Atotalof27traintripsweremadeeachweeksouthbound,and28tripsnorthbound.SixothertrainstraveledthroughVirginiaaspartofAmtrak’snationalnetwork,aswelltheCarolinianservice,whichtraversedthroughVirginiaonitswaytoCharlotte,NC.

AttheurgingofVHSR,GovernorMarkWarnerin2004appointedacommissionwhichrecommendedthecreationofaRailEnhancementFund(REF).Thisfund,

subsequentlyauthorizedbytheGeneralAssembly,hastypicallybeenutilizedbyClassIrailroads(CSXandNorfolkSouthern),thePortofVirginia,andVirginiaRailwayExpress,formajorcapitalinvestments.IthasoccasionallybeentappedasaresourceforVirginia'sstate-supportedAmtrakservice,including100%ofthecapitalfundingtoextendtheWashingtontoRichmondNortheastRegionaltoNorfolkin2012.Thestatutoryrequirementfora30%matchandtherestrictionagainstusingfederalmatchingfundshaveseverelylimitedtheuseofREFfundsforintercitypassengerrail.

In2009,theCommonwealthofVirginiapartneredwithAmtraktoformAmtrakVirginia.ThisledtothreenewserviceexpansionsbetweenVirginiaandAmtrak’sNortheastCorridor.ThesetrainsareextensionsofAmtrak’sNortheastRegionalserviceandincludetrainsthatpreviouslyterminatedinWashington,DC.

Virginia’sfirststate-supportedintercitytraintoLynchburgbeganin2009afterCharlottesvillearearesidentsorganizedacampaigntobringpassengerrailservicetotheUS29corridor.ThegroupCville RailspenttwoyearsissuingpressreleasesandholdingpubliceventsbeforeestablishingthePiedmontCoalitiontobroadenitsreachtoothercommunitiesalongthecorridor.In2009,theCoalitionsucceededinraisingpublicandpoliticalsupportforastate-fundeddemonstrationintercitypassengerservicelinkingLynchburgtoWashington,DC,NewYorkandBoston.Thestateprojected51,000passengersperyear,butthreeyearslatertheNortheastRegionalfromLynchburgwascarrying174,000passengersannually.Customerfarescoveredcostsofoperations.

Asecondstate-supportedregionaltrainwaslaunchedin2010betweenRichmond,VA’sStapleMillsStationandWashington,DC,withcontinuingservicetoNewYorkandBoston.Inpreparationforthestart-upofAmtrak’snewservicetoNorfolkwhichbeganinDecember2012,thestateinvested$100millionfromREFtoupgradeCXSandNorfolkSouthernRailway(NS)raillinestofacilitatethenewservice.

ThekeytotheCommonwealth’scontinuingsuccessisthecreationoftheIntercityPassengerRaiI OperatingandCapitalFund(IPROC),whichfirstprovidedshort-termfundingstartingin2011,butwiththeadoptionofatransportationtaxpackagein2013,itprovidesfundingforoperationscosts,equipmentupgradesandcapitalimprovementsforintercitypassengerrailinthestate.ThetransportationfundingpackagemadeVirginiathefirststatetosustainablyfundintercityandhighspeedpassengerrail.Itdedicated0.05%ofthestate’ssalesandusetaxtoIPROC.

SinceFY2013,Virginiahasinvested$467milliontosustainandimproveitspassengerrailnetwork,includingtherecentreturnofpassengerrailtoRoanoke.TheDepartmentofRailandPublicTransport(DRPT)hasprovided$77.5millioninIPROCfundsand$24millionfromtheREF(2015dollars)toconstructtrackcapacityimprovementsbetweenLynchburgandRoanokeandtobuildanovernightfacilityforAmtrak’screw,aserviceareaforengines,andaboardingplatformindowntownRoanoke.Passengerrailservicereturnedtothecityforthefirsttimein38yearsonOct.31,2017.

AlthoughridershipontheWashington,DCtoRoanokelineincreasedbymorethan8%,theDRPTplanstomonitorRoanokeridershipfiguresfortwoyearsbeforeconsideringfurtherchangestotheroute.Meanwhile,thisagencyplanstoassessotherpotentialdestinationswestofRoanoke,includingBristolandthemoreheavilypopulatedNewRiverValley.Ithas$350,000initssix-yearplantodoastudywithNSandAmtraktodeterminewhethertoextendpassengerrailserviceouttotheNewRiverValleyandtoBristol.ThestateisalsoworkingwithanorganizationrecentlyformedcalltheNewRiverValley2020(NRV),abipartisanregionalgroupofpoliticalandbusinessleadersdedicatedtogettingpassengerrailserviceextendedtotheNewRiverValley.Thegrouphasidentifiedseveralspotsthroughoutthevalleywhereastationcouldbebuilt.Theleadcandidateistown-ownedlandinChristiansburg.RaySmooth,thechairofNRV,believestheconcentrationofstudentsatVirginiaTechandRadfordUniversitymakeitagoodchoice.

Continuedonpage8

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 7 OF 16

THE COMMONWEALTH’S RECORD OF SUCCESS

THE COMMONWEALTH’S RECORD OF SUCCESSContinuedfrompage7

Meanwhile,BristolofficialshaveworkedwiththeWashington,DCCommunityTransportationAssociationtodeveloparequestforaneconomicimpactstudyfortheTwinCityareaandtheregionofSouthwestVirginiaandNortheastTennessee.Theconsultants(AECOM)havefocusedtheirworkonhowrailpassengerservicecouldreducevehiculartraffic,especiallyonInterstate81,andevaluatedthepotentialimpactoneconomicdevelopment.

Detailsofthestudyindicatetherewouldbebetween75,400and99,300additional“on-and-offriders”peryearifAmtrakextendedpassengerservicefromitscurrentstopinRoanoketoBristol.ThestudypredictedthenumberswouldbeevengreaterifinvestmentsintrackimprovementsweremadeforfastertraveltimesandextendingthetracktoKnoxvilleorChattanooga,TN.Trackimprovementswouldcostbetween$45.2millionand$48million,whileannualoperatingcostsfortheBristolportionoftheroutewouldlikelybebetween$5millionand$7.9million.ThestudyalsoindicatesthattheBristolareaispromisingbecauseofathrivingdowntownwithlodging,diningandentertainmentoptions,andotherrecreationalopportunities.

TheMayorofBristol,TN,MargaretFeierabend,whoisalsothechairoftheBristolTN-VARailCoalition,agroupofmorethan20organizationsinTennessee,isencouragedbythestudyresultsasthe“numbersareveryoptimistic,andtheloss(ofrevenue)wouldbeminimal.”Whatwillhappennextisunclear.TheDRPThasannouncedthatit ispostponingits$350,000studybecauseNShashalteditsinvolvement.

AccordingtoMichaelMcLaughin,DRPT’sChiefofRailTransportation,NSisreluctanttotalkaboutextendingpassengerrailduetoproblemsintheirfreightnetwork,especiallysouthofVirginia.Evidently,NSwantstimetofixthoseproblemsbeforehavingadiscussionaboutaddingpassengerservice.The

stallingofthestudydoesn’tnecessarilyderailplanstobringAmtraktotheNewRiverValley,butthestudyisacrucialpartofthatprocess.

AccordingtoMeredithRichards,presidentoftheVirginiaRailPolicyInstituteandthechairofCville RailandthePiedmontRailCoalition,CSXandNShavelittleinterestinexpandingcapacity,sincebotharereducingtheircapitalexpenditures,servicefrequenciesandtrackmileage.Multi-milliondollarpublicgrantsforcapacity-increasingprojectshavecurrentlylosttheirincentivevalue.

TheimpactisbeingfeltinthefailureofDRPTtolaunchthepromisedsecondfrequencyfromWashington,DCto

Thestudyindicates therewouldbebetween75,400and99,300additional“on-and-off riders”peryearifAmtrak extendedpassengerservicefromitscurrentstopinRoanoketoBristol.

Lynchburg.ThestatehasbeenunabletooffersufficientcapitalincentivestoNStoadvanceanadditionaltrainonthecorridor.

RichardsbelievesthestateneedstoundertakeathoroughreviewofthepresentstateofrailinVirginiainordertosuggeststepsthatcouldbetakentoprotecttheinterestsofbothfreightandpassengerrailinthefuture.Thefreightrailroadswant“tooperatethelongesttrainspossibleasinfrequentlyaspossibleonreducedinfrastructure.”Thestatewantsmorefrequent,on-time,passengertrainsservingmoreroutesandmoreregions.

Thisconflictofinterest,shebelieves,couldbereconciledbythestatepurchasingslotsonfreightlinesforpassengertrainsatcompetitivemarketrates,whichwouldincludeperformancestandards.Orthestatecouldnegotiate

thepurchaseofrailcorridors thatarecriticaltothepublicinterest,grantingthesellerperpetualoperatingrightstousethesecorridorstobenefitbothfreight,intercitypassengerandcommuterrail.

Whileistoosoontoknowwhatwillhappengoingforward,theDRPThasotherprojectstofocuson.ItiscommittedtotheAtlanticGatewayproject,a$1.4-billionpackageofrailandhighwayprojectstoaddresssomeoftheworstfreightandpassengertransportationbottlenecksinNorthernVirginia.Thisinitiativecontainsfivedistinctrailcapacityandengineeringprojects:constructionofsixmilesoffourthmainlinetrackfromthenorthbankofthePotomacRiverinArlingtontoaninterlockinginAlexandria,eightmilesofthirdmainlinetrackfromtheFranconia-SpringfieldRailExpressstationtoalocationjustnorthoftheOccoquian River,twonewcrossoverssouthofFredericksburgtoimproveoperationalflexibilityandnetworkfluidity,andfundstosupportalong-termmulti-agencyinitiativetoincreaserailcapacityacrossthePotomacRiverthroughtheexpansionorreplacementoftheLongBridge.

DRPTalsoplanstodevelopamechanismtoallowforthetransferoftheS-linefromCSXtopublicownership.ThisisanabandonedraillinethatrunsfromNorthCarolinatothePetersburgarea.ThelineisacriticalcomponentoftheSoutheastHighSpeedRailcorridor’sproposedroutebetweenRichmondandRaleigh,NorthCarolina,whichcouldenabletheoperationofhigherspeedpassengertrainsonadedicatedpassengerraillineintheforeseeablefuture.

Virginia’srailadvocatesareproudofwhathasalreadybeenaccomplished,butrecognizethatthereismoretobeaccomplished.Atwice-daily“TransDominion Express,”forexample,fromBristoltoRichmondandWashingtoncouldprovidemuch-neededmobilityforcurrentlyunservedcitiesinsouthwesternVirginia.WithcooperationfromthestateofTennessee,thisroutecouldrestoreintercitytrainservicetoKnoxville,Chattanooga,andperhapsNashville,connectingthemtoVirginiaandtheNortheast.

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GOV. CUOMO PUSHES CONGESTION PRICINGContinuedfrompage1

theBoard,bringingonasix-member“panelofexperts”togivetheleadershiptheiropiniononavarietyofissues—fromtheCapitalProgramtonewsignalsystems—bypassingtheBoard,whichwouldordinarilybethebodythatwouldprovidethisoversight.

Inaddition,theGovernorhasproposeda“RegionalTransitCommittee”thatwoulddomuchofthesamethings,soatthispointit’snotclearifboththeExpertPanelandtheRegionalTransitCommitteeareinthemix,orjustoneofthose.

AsaBoardMembersince2002,IcanabsolutelysaythisisaverydispiritingtimetobeanMTABoardMember.Andlet’sremember,theGovernorhasalsogonearoundtheBoard(andformerandcurrentMTAleadership)inchangingtheplanfortheL-trainandkeepingtheCanarsieTubeopenduringthereconstructionplans—causinggreatconcernamongBoardMembers,aswellasmanytransitprofessionals,andmembersoftheL-trainridercommunity,whohadplannedlongandhardforthecomplete15-monthshutdown.SomefolksevenchangedjobsormovedtoavoidthecrazinessthatwasexpectedduringtheCanarsieTubeSuperstormSandywork—whicheveryoneagreesisbadlyneeded.

AnextensivesystemofalternateserviceplanshadbeendrawnuptogiveLtrainridersadditionalserviceonotherlines,exclusivebuslanes,HOVlanesontheWilliamsburgBridge,andlotsmore.Butthenewplan—whichkeepsweekdayserviceintactbutnightsandweekendswouldsee20-minuteheadways—isunclearatthistime.

YouwillreadelsewhereinthisissuethattheGovernorhasshownleadershipinorderinganewwayoflookingattherebuildingoftheCanarsieTube.Buttherearealreadyglitchesintheweekendshutdownsleadinguptothe“new”project.Dusthascoveredriders(wecanonlyhopeitisn’tsilicadust),andservicehasbegunlateronMondaymorningthanwasplanned.Ibelieverelyingontransitprofessionals,ratherthanmakingsplashyheadlines,isusuallythebestcourseofaction.AnewseriesofcommunityworkshopsisplannedtoexplaintherevisedL-train

reconstructionplaninthenextfewweeks.

Tosumup:theGovernorandMayorhaveproposeda10pointplanto“transformandfundtheMTA.”The10pointsare:

1.TheMTAwilldevelopareorganizationplantomaketheagencymoreefficientandeffective.ThevariouspartsoftheMTA-suchasNYCTransit,theLongIslandRailRoad,Metro-NorthRailroad,MTABus,StatenIslandRailway- currentlyoperateasseparateentities.Theideawouldbetoconsolidatefunctionsthatcanbe,includingIT,HR,constructionmanagement,legal,engineering,advertising,etc.ThiswouldbecompletedbyJuneof2019!

2.Theplanwouldincludeacongestionpricingfinancingmodel.Electronictollingdeviceswouldbeinstalledjustsouthof61stStreetinManhattan.TheFDRDrivewouldnotbeincluded,asitisaseparatedhighway.Tollswouldbevariable,providingdiscountsforoff-peaktravel.Emergencyvehicleswouldbeexemptfromthetolls.Exemptionsordiscountswouldbeprovidedtovehiclestransportingpeoplewithdisabilities.Allrevenuesfromcongestionpricingwouldbeplacedina“lockbox,”andusableonlyfortheMTA.

3.MTAfaresfortravelonthesystemmustbecontainedinfutureyearsthroughcostcontainmentactionsandimprovedmanagement.Thiswouldholdfuturefareincreasestotherateofinflation,or2%peryear.

4.AllMTABoardappointmentswillbemodifiedsothatalltermsendwiththeappointingofficial’stenure.AsthelaborandridermembersoftheBoardareappointedbytheirvariousorganizations,itisunclearhowthoseappointmentswouldbehandled.

5.TheremustbeapartnershipbetweentheCityofNewYorkandStateofNewYorktocombatfareevasion,whichhasrisentoanunacceptableraterecently.Itisestimatedthatfareevasioniscostingthetransitsystemupwardsof$215millionperyear.

6.TheMTAwillundergoanindependentaudittodeterminetheiractualassetsandliabilities.ThisauditshouldbecompletednolaterthanJanuaryof2020.

7.TheCapitalPlanshallbereviewedbyacommitteeoftransportation,engineering,

andgovernment“experts”whohavenoexistingfinancialrelationshipwiththeMTA.(The“RegionalTransitCommittee.”)ThecommitteewillbeappointedbytheGovernor,Mayor,StateAssemblyandStateSenate,andorganizationsrepresentingsubwayridersanddrivingcommuters.Interestingly,commutersonMetro-NorthandtheLIRRareNOTmentioned.

8.TheMTAwillhaveallmajorconstructionprojectsandplannedprojectspursuedas“designbuild.”AllprojectswillbereviewedbyconstructionandengineeringexpertswhoarenotaffiliatedwiththeMTAoritsconsultants.TheconstructionreviewteamwillbeheadedbytheDeansofCornellSchoolofEngineeringandtheColumbiaSchoolofEngineering.(ThesameteamthatdecidedtoscraptheoriginalCanarsieTubeshutdownplaninfavorofapartialshutdown.)Thisgroupwillalsoreviewplansforthesignalsystemupgrade,andspecificallywillcomparetheCBTCsignalsystem(usedthroughouttheworld)withUltraWide-Bandtechnology,currentlybeingtestedinanumberofcities,includingNewYork.

9.TheMTAwillexpeditethecompletionoftheSubwayActionPlan,whichincludessignalrepair,watermanagement,stationenhancements,installationofcontinuousweldedrail,frictionpadinstallation,andotherimprovements.

10.TheGovernorandMayorwillworkcloselywiththeStateLegislaturetoeffectuatetheprovisionsinthisplan.

So,tosumitup,itappearsthattheGovernorhaslittleconfidenceincurrentMTAmanagement,muchofwhichheappointedinhisfirsttwoterms.Alloftheprovisionsmustbeapprovedbythelegislature,someofwhomhaveexpressedreservationsatvariousaspectsoftheplan.Butonethingisclear:theMTAmusthavemultiple,sustainablesourcesofrevenuetorebuild,repair,makeaccessible,andcontinuetheprogressmadeunderByford.Theeconomyoftheentireregiondependsonit,andNewYorkersexpectandareentitledtoaworld-classtransportationsystemfortheirworld-classcity.Staytuned.

AndrewAlbertisVice-ChairmanofRUN,theChairoftheNYCTransitRidersCouncil,andRiders’RepresentativeontheMTABoard.

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CUOMO DOES SOMETHING RIGHT FOR L-TRAIN RIDERS, AND IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE ELSEWHERE, TOO!CommentarybyDavidPeterAlan

AftermorethaneightyearsoflacklusterleadershipinAlbany,includingontransitissues,NewYorkGov.AndrewCuomohascommittedapotentially-revolutionaryactthatcouldendupsavinggovernmentsbillionsofdollarsandgivingridersandtaxpayersmuchmoretransitthantheyhadpreviouslyexpectedtogetfortheirmoney.

Theyhadcalledit“L-mageddon”andthe“L-pocalypse”andeven“L-Hell.”Itwastheimpending15-monthtotalshutdownoftheL-trainunder14th StreetinManhattanandthroughtheCanarsieTunnelsintoBrooklyn.ItwastobeginonApril26,andeverybodywasdreadingit.TheL-linefrom14th StreettoCanarsiewassuchapoorperformerinthe1980sthatitwasalmostabandoned,buttodayitservessomeofthetrendiestneighborhoodsinBrooklynandhasjusthadacapacityenhancementthroughtheinstallationofCommunications-BasedTrainControl(CBTC).Apparently,thelineneedsthatextracapacitytoday,sotheproposedshutdownwouldhavebeenadisaster.

ThencamethenewsonJanuary3thattheshutdownitselfwouldbeshutdown.CuomoannouncedthatanewengineeringstudyrevealedthattheCanarsieTunnelscouldberepairedforamuchlowerpriceandwithfarlessdisruptionofservicethanhadpreviouslybeenanticipated.Therewillbeservicecutsatnightandonweek-ends,butthetotalshutdownhadbeenaverted,anditwouldnowbepoliticallyuntenabletoimplementacompleteshutdownunderManhattanandintoBrooklyn.

AheadlineintheDailyNewsproclaimed“L-YEAH”withthe“L”depictedastheline'slogo,awhiteletter“L”inagraycircle.EvenjadedNewYorkersbreathedasighofrelief,combinedwithdisbelief.Theyalsohadplentyofquestionsaboutwhybig-timeengineerssaidthatthelinehadtobeshutdowncompletely,butnowsuchadrasticmovewouldnotbenecessary.

Thebattleisstillraging,andnobodyseemstoknowwhenthepoliticalturmoilwillsubside.RUNVice-ChairAndrewAlbert,whoisalsoChairoftheMTATransitRiders'Council,

reportedonthesituationandpresentedhisviewselsewhereinthisissueoftheRUNNewsletter.CertainlyCuomo'sdecisioniscontroversial,anditcouldrocktheMTAanditsgovernancestructuretothecore.Nobodyseemstoknowwhatwillhappennext,andeverybodyinthecityiswatchingtheshow.

SowhatdidCuomodothatwassorevolutionary?Hedidwhatmanyofusdowhenwegetareportfromadoctorthatwedonotlike.Wegetasecondopinion,andhegota“secondopinion”fromotherengineers.TheseengineerswerenotpartofthebigengineeringandconsultingcartelthatrulesthecivilengineeringprofessionthroughfirmslikeWSPGlobal,successortoParsonsBrinkerhoff(“PB”),whosefounder,WilliamBarclayParsons,hadsupervisedtheconstructionoftheoriginalIRTSubway,whichopenedforservicein1904.Instead,CuomoconsultedthedeansandseniorfacultyoftheengineeringschoolsatColumbiaandCornellUniversities.

TheCanarsie Tunnels hadbeen flooded byHurricane Sandyin2012, andthe Columbia andCornell engineers proposed acomparatively easyandinexpensive solution. Instead ofremovingandreplacing thebench walls andthecablesinside themfor theentire length ofboth tunnels,theywould keeptheparts ofthe bench wallsthat arestructurally sound, build walkwayswhere thebench wallscould notbesaved, usestate-of-the-art materials tosealandwaterproofthebench wallsandwalkways, andhangnewcables along theinside ofthe tunnel wallstoreplace theoriginal cables that hadbeenlocatedinside thebench walls, which would beabandoned andreplaced. Itseemedlike acost-effective andeasier solution. Certainly the largefirms ofthe“Infrastructure Industrial Complex”would not havesuggested it, because theywould not havemadeasmuchmoneyfromit. Theengineers from places likeColumbia andCornell could suggest aless-expensive project;theyhavetenure (lifetime jobsecurity) andowetheir loyalty totheir universities, rather than tolarge firms ortothesufferance orwhims ofmayorsor governors.

Sowhatcouldhappenifothertransitleadersorelectedofficialsweretogeta“secondopinion”asCuomodid?Itcouldmeanless-expensiveprojects,abetterdeal

fortaxpayers,moreprojectsthatcouldbebuiltwiththesameoverallcapitalbudget,moreinfrastructurefortransitriderstouse,andabetterandmore-cost-effectivetransitsystemgenerally.IftheHudsonTunnelsbetweenNewJerseyandPennStation,NewYorkcanberepairedasquicklyandinexpensivelyastheCanarsieTunnels,theycouldberepairedwithouttakingthemoutofserviceforanextendedperiodoftime.TheywerefloodedinHurricaneSandyastheCanarsieTunnelswere,andthedamageappearstohavebeenaboutasextensive.Ifthatistrue,whichengineerswhodonotworkforthelargefirmscoulddetermine,thetunnelscouldberepairedonweekends,whenAmtrakalwaysshutsoneofthemdown,anyway.

Withthatscenario,therecouldbetworebuilttunnelsavailableforservicewithinafewyears,andwithoutadditionalservicedisruptions.Therewouldbenotimepressuretobuildtwonewtunnelsbeforerepairingtheexistingones.WhilenewtunnelsthatmayormaynotactuallybenecessarytoprovidesufficientcapacityintoPennStationfortheforeseeablefuture,repairingtheexistingtunnelsfirstwouldenableplannerstoevaluatetheiroptionsthoroughly.Ifoneortwomoretunnelsareneededeventually,theycanbeconstructedwithoutundueworryabouttheexistingtunnelsandhowlongtheycouldlast.Therewouldbetimetomakeandimplementrationalplans,withoutunduepressure.Riderswouldhavethetunnelstheyneed,andtaxpayerswouldgetabetterdealthanthebigconsultingfirmswouldgivethem.Aless-expensiverepairwouldalsomakemoneyavailableforotherneededprojects.

So,thenexttimeadoctorgivesyounewsthatyoudonotlike,besuretogetasecondopinion.Gov.Cuomodidthatinanengineeringsituation,andthemobility“health”ofhundredsofthousandsofNewYorkerswillbeimprovingasaresult.

DavidPeterAlanisaRUNBoardmemberandChairoftheLackawannaCoalitioninNewJersey.Formoredetailedcoverageofthisissue,seehisarticleonthesubjectinRailwayAge.

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SYNOPSISOFTHETRANSPORTATIONPACKAGE

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 11 OF 16

ByPhilStreby

(Note:ThissummaryhasbeeneditedtofocusonprovisionsthatrelatetotheFederalRailroadAdministration,AmtrakandtheFederalTransitAdministration.)

FEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATIONSAFETYANDOPERATIONSThebillprovides$221,698,000forsafetyandoperationsoftheFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA).Thefollowingprioritiesarefunded:

FEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATIONSAFETYANDOPERATIONSThebillprovides$221,698,000forsafetyandoperationsoftheFederalRailroadAdministration.

Thefollowingprioritiesarefunded:Safetransportationofenergyproducts

$2MAutomatedtrackinspectionprogramanddataanalysis $16.5MRailroadsafetyinformationsystemandfrontendinterface $4.8MPositivetraincontrol(PTC)supportprogram

$10MConfidentialclosecallprogram

$3MTrespasserpreventionstrategyandriskmodel $500KNationalbridgesysteminventoryupdateandmodelmodification $600K

FRAisrequiredtosubmittheinformationdetailedintheSenatereportonrailroadPTCstatus,enforcementplans,andeffectsonrailservice30daysafterenactmentofthisAct.

Thebillprovides$40,600,000forrailroadresearchanddevelopment.Thisamountincludes$2,500,000toimprovesafetypracticesandtrainingforclassIIandClassIIIfreightrailroads;$2,000,000fortankcarresearchrelatedtothesafetransportationofenergyproductsinpartnershipwithotherFederalagencies;andupto$5,000,000forpartnershipswithqualifieduniversitiesforresearchonrailsystemsafety,capacityandefficiency,ofwhich$1,000,000isforresearchwithuniversitiesonintelligentrailroadsystems.

FEDERAL-STATEPARTNERSHIPFORSTATEOFGOODREPAIRThebillprovides$400,000,000toreplaceorrehabilitatequalifiedrailroadassetstohelpprotectexistingrailinfrastructureandfundinvestmentsandmaintenancetoavoidcostlyrepairsinthefuture.

Thebillprovides$255,000,000forrailinfrastructureandsafetyimprovementsgrants,anddirectstheDepartmenttoprioritizefundsforrailroadsthataremostatriskofnotmeetingthePTCdeadline.

THENATIONALRAILROADPASSENGERCORPORATION(AMTRAK)Thebillprovidesatotalof$1,941,600,000fortheNationalRailroadPassengerCorporation.Amtrakisdirectedtoprovidediscountedpassengerfarestoveterans(asdefinedinsection101oftitle38,UnitedStatesCode)consistentwiththediscountedpassengerfarescurrentlyprovidedtoactivedutymilitarypersonnel,andtosubmitwithitsfiscalyear2020congressionaljustificationareportthataddressesitemsenumeratedintheHouseandSenatereportsoncharter,special,andprivatetrains.AmtrakisalsodirectedtoevaluateoptionstoaddresstheweekdayNortheastRegionalTrainsbetweenWashingtonandBostonandtosubmitareportwithin90daysofenactmentofthisAct.

AmtrakisdirectedtoprovideastationagentineachAmtrakstationthathadaticketagentinfiscalyear2018.Stationagents,whichincludeAmtrakticketagentsorcaretakers,assistpassengerswiththeirintercityrailtravel,providecustomerserviceduringallhoursthatastationisopen,andperformbuildingmaintenanceduties.Amtrakisdirectedtoimprovecommunicationandcollaborationwithlocalpartnersandtakeintoconsiderationtheuniqueneedsofeachcommunity,includingimpactstolocaljobs,whenmakingdecisionsrelatedtothestaffingofAmtrakstations,andtoworkwithstakeholderstomaximizetheefficiencyofthesestationagents.

NORTHEASTCORRIDORGRANTSTOTHENATIONALRAILROADPASSENGERCORPORATIONThebillprovides$650,000,000fortheSecretarytomakegrantsforactivitiesassociatedwiththeNortheastCorridor(NEC),definedasthemainlinebetween

Boston,MA,andtheDistrictofColumbia,andthefacilitiesandservicesusedtooperateandmaintainthatline.TheSecretaryisallowedtoretainuptoone-halfof1%ofthetotalprovidedtoAmtrakforprojectmanagementandoversightcostsandrequirenotlessthan$50,000,000tobringAmtrak-servedfacilitiesandstationsintocompliancewiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.Thebillallowsupto$5,000,000oftheNECgrantstofundtheNECCommissionexpenses.

NATIONALNETWORKGRANTSTOTHENATIONALRAILROADPASSENGERCORPORATIONThebill provides $1,291,600,000 fortheSecretary tomakegrants foractivitiesassociated with theNational Network.National Network Grants provideoperating andcapital funding forexpenses onAmtrak'sentire network,including long-distance routes thatoperate onthe NEC.

Ofthisamount,thebillallowstheSecretarytoretainupto$2,000,000tofundexpensesassociatedwiththestate-supportedroutecommittee,andnotlessthan$50,000,000shallbeforrailroadsafetytechnologiesonstate-supportedroutesonwhichPTCsystemsarenotrequired.Nolessthan$50,000,000shallbeforcapitalexpensesthatenablecontinuedpassengerrailoperationonlong-distancerouteswhereAmtrakisthesoleoperatorandPTCsystemsarenotrequired.

Thebillprovides$23,274,000fortheNationalRailroadPassengerCorporationOfficeoftheInspectorGeneral,anddirecttheInspectorGeneraltoupdatea2008DOTOIGreporttitled"EffectsofAmtrak'sPooron-timePerformance"nolaterthan240daysafterenactmentofthisAct.TheAmtrakOIGisrequiredtosubmitanon-timeperformancereport.

ADMINISTRATIVEPROVISIONS-FEDERALRAILROADADMINISTRATIONSection151expressesthesenseofCongressthatlongdistancepassengerrailroutesshouldberetainedtoensureconnectivitythroughouttheNationalNetwork.

Continuedonpage12

RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER PAGE 12 OF 16

Continuedfrompage11AficionadosofCanada’slong-distancetrainslikelyknowthattheWinnipegtoChurchillVIAserviceisagainoperational.Thefunortragedy,whicheverwayoneviewsit,isnowintheTorontoregion.

Thepastsixmonthsorsohavewitnessedincreasingmediacoverageonmobilityissuesasurbanizationandapredicted30%growthinpopulationbetween2017and2041aregoingtoneedfocusiftheGreaterTorontoArea(GTA)istoprosper.Manytelevisedpaneldiscussionsandconferencesonthisissueturnintogongshowsasthemoresoberandrealisticviewsoftruesubject-matterexpertsareeclipsedbylocalpoliticians,businessgroupsandevangelisticconsultantsclaimingtohavesimplistic,pottedsolutions.

Threefundamentalsareseldommentionedordownplayedinsuchdiscussions:1.Theproblemhasbeeninthemakingforoverhalfacenturyandtheregionhasadoptedcar-centric,lowdensityhousing(andcontinuestodoso)withlittleornoprovisionforpublic,mass-transportationinfrastructure.2.Nostableandpredictablesourceoffundingiscurrentlyavailableforfullyintegratedheavyrail,lightrailandbustransitprojects.3.Logicalplansforpublictransportationprojectsaretoofrequentlysacrificedatthealtarofpoliticalpopulism,thelow-taxmantraandending“thewaronthecar.”

TorontoTransitCommission’s10-yearmaintenanceandcapitalneedsarereckonedataroundC$32billionandhaveyettobefunded.Thisisbeforeanysystemoptimizationandexpansion.Dangerousovercrowdingatpeakhoursgetsworse.

Inthewriter’sestimation,thecostofbringingtheGTA’spublictransportationsystemuptoanacceptablestandardisatleastC$150bn– C$200bn.OntarioPremier(Governor)DougFordwaxeslyricalaboutsubwaysbutdoesn’tunderstandthattwin-boretunnelconstructioncostsarearoundC$600m/mileplusstationsandahaveaten-yearminimumprojecttime-line.

Simultaneously,otherregionsintheprovinceincludingNiagara,SouthwesternandNorthernOntarioarepushinghardforbettertrainandbusservicestoproviderelieffromhighwaycongestion,relativeremotenessandclimatevagaries.AddanotherC$50bnorso.Onethereforeneedstoaskifprovincialelectioncyclesofjustfouryearswillallowanypoliticalpartytocommittoaneye-wateringlyexpensive,verynecessary,long-termfix.

Ofcourse,manypeoplethinkthatautonomousvehiclesareabettersolutionandespousetheirperceivedabilitytohead-offtheloomingmobilitycrisis.Canada’sBlackberry,oneoftheleadersinvehicleautomation,recentlypredictedthatfullyself-drivingcarsareunlikelytobe

commerciallyavailablebeforebetween2035and2041.Othervendorsmaybemoreoptimistic,butthepurveyorsofpessimismareusuallyright.

AfurtherproblemfacingtheGTAistheabsenceofspacetobuildmorehighways.Seizingadjacentproperties,undereminentdomain,todemolishandreplacewithhighwaylaneswouldcreatesuchunifiedirethatlocalpoliticianswouldbeapplying,en-masse,toElonMusk’sSpacex forone-waytripstoMars.

TheGTA,incommonwithmanyotherNorthAmericancities,hasfounditselfpaintedbyhistoricalwillfulblindnessintoaveryhigh-walledcorner.Whilepoliticiansandtheiracolytestwistthemselvesintopretzelslookingforsolutionstocommuterandbusinessagony,theyforgetthebigpicture.Withoutatrulymassiveandongoinginfusionoftaxpayermoneyandarobusttransportationstrategy,freeofpoliticalandcorporatemeddling,themobilitydeficitwillonlyincrease–andrapidly.

Largelyabsentfromthediscussionisthesocialandeconomiccostofinaction.Anymentionofthiscausesmostpoliticianstosticktheirfingersintheirearsandhumloudly.Asgoesclimatechange,sogoespublictransportation.

KenWestcar isco-coordinatorofInterCityRail.

CANADA REPORT MARCH 2019

SUMMARY OF THE TRANSPORTATION PACKAGEContinuedfrompage11

FEDERALTRANSITADMINISTRATIONThebillprovides$700,000,000intransitinfrastructuregrants.

Thebill provides $5,000,000 forresearch activities; another $9,000,000isprovided under the heading "TransitFormula Grants", andno lessthan$5,000,000 shall beavailable for

technical assistance andtraining toincrease mobility for people withdisabilities andolder adults.

CAPITALINVESTMENTGRANTSThebillprovides$2,552,687,000forfixed-guidewayprojects.Ofthefundsprovided,$1,265,670,000isavailablefornewstartsprojects,$635,000,000isavailableforcorecapacityprojects,$526,500,000isavailableforsmallstartsprojects,$100,000,000isavailablefortheexpeditedprojectdeliverypilotprogram.

Section190authorizestheSecretarytocarryoutaprogramthatestablishesuniformstandardsfordevelopingand

supportingagencytransitpassandtransitbenefits,includingdistributionoftransitbenefits.

Section410prohibitsfundsfrombeingusedbyanentityunlesstheexpenditureisincompliancewiththeBuyAmericanAct.

PhilStreby isaRUNBoardMemberandaboardmemberoftheIndianaPassengerRailAlliance.

A SURVEY OF LONG DISTANCE AND STATE-SUPPORTED PASSENGER TRAIN SERVICE IN THE WESTERN U.S.– PART FIVE: UNDER CONSTRUCTIONByDanaGabbard

Tokeepthissurveyatamanageablelength,it isbeingdividedintomultipleparts.Thispartdealswiththeunder-constructionCaliforniahighspeedrailproject,whilefutureinstallmentswillbeonproposednewhighspeedandconventionalrailprojects,pluseffortstorevivediscontinuedAmtrakroutes.

PleaseseetheintroductiontopartoneintheSpring2018issueregardingthepurposeandcertainotherunderlyingaspects.

AspirationsforhighspeedrailintheUnitedStatescomparabletowhatoperatesinAsiaandEuropefirstmanifesteditselfwithpassageofthefederalHighSpeedGroundTransportationActof1965.Itborefruitwiththeinaugurationin1969oftheelectrifiedMetroliner servicealongthenortheastcorridor betweenNewYorkCity andWashington,D.C. BeginningDec.2000MetrolinerwasgraduallysupplantedbythecurrentAcelaExpress(extendednorthtoserveBoston).

The‘90ssawarebirthofinterestatthefederallevel,withSection1010oftheIntermodalSurfaceTransportationEfficiencyActof1991designating5highspeedrailcorridors.Thiswasexpandedto11in1998bySection1103(c)ofTransportationEquityActforthe21stCentury.

SubsequenttotheselegislativeinitiativestherehasbeenprogressinexpandinghighspeedrailintheNortheast(theKeystonecorridor inPennsylvania)andMidwest(inMichiganandIllinois).ProjectswereproposedinTexasandFloridainthe‘90sandearlypartofthenewmillenniumrespectivelybutwerekilledbytheobjectionsofentrenchedinterestsandideological/fiscalconcernsofelectedofficials.

Intheearly‘80s,anAmerican-JapaneseprivatepartnershipproposedahighspeedlinebetweenLosAngelesandSanDiegoalongthecoastusingprovenShinkansenequipment.Iteventuallywasshelved,

undonebyatrioofintractableobstacles:mid-corridorNIMBYs,environmentalissuesregardingfragilelagoonsandinsufficientfinancing.MoreabouttheprojectcanbefoundinTheCaliforniaBulletTrain,ThenandNow”byRichardTrainor (postedonlineonthecounterpunch.org website)and“High-SpeedRailinCalifornia:TheDream,theProcess,andtheReality”byGeorgeC.SmithandEarlShirley(summarypostedathttps://trid.trb.org/view/282890withlinktofullreport).

TheCaliforniaLegislaturein1993createdtheIntercityHigh-SpeedRailCommissiontoevaluatethefeasibilityofsuchasystem.ItsFinalReportin1996statedthatindeeditwasfeasible.ShortlythereafterSenateBill1420,co-sponsoredbystateSenatorsQuentinKoppandJimCosta,wasintroduced,passedandsignedbythen-Gov.PeteWilsonestablishingaCaliforniaHigh-SpeedRailAuthority(CHSRA)toplanandconstructanetworklinkingthemajorcitiesofthestate.

Aftersomeinitialplanning,thefirsttangiblesteptowardrealizingtheprojectwaspassagebythevotersin2008ofProposition1A,a$9.95-billionbondmeasuretofinancethesystemandconnectingservices.Fortuitously,thefederalAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActof2009includedfundsforhighspeedrailprojectsacrossthecountry,includingCalifornia.TheObamaadministrationintheFY2010budgetsecuredadditionalHSRfunds.CHSRAhasintotalreceived$3.3billionoffederalfundingtobuildthemiddlesegmentintheCentralValley.Anadditionalrevenuestreamfromthecarboncredittradingfund(knowncolloquiallyascap&trade)hasbeensecured(supplying$1.7billionasofDec.2017)whiletheAuthoritycontinuesexploringfundingoptionssuchasadditionalfederalgrantsandprivatesectorpartnerships.

OnJan.5,2015,agroundbreakingwasheldinFresno,CAandshortlythereafterconstructioncommencedontheCentralValleysegment.Fundshavealsobeendispersedtoprojectsatthenorthernandthesouthernendsofthestatethatwillfacilitatethenextsegmentsandprovide

improvementstoexistingpassengerrailservices.Thisincludesrun-throughtracksatLosAngelesUnionStationandtheelectrificationoftheCaltrain commutertrainsystembetweenSanFranciscoandSanJose.

Theprojecthasgonethroughmanytwistsandturnsastoplanning,fundingandconstruction.AndyKunz,President&CEOoftheUSHighSpeedRailAssociation(ushsr.com)notes,“Theseprojectsareverydifficulttogetbuiltanywhereduetothehighcosts,andthelongtimelines.”

OriginallytheCentralValleywasthemajorsourceofsupportwhileLosAngelesandSanFranciscotreateditwithbarelyconcealeddisinterest.Oneaspectofmegaprojectsisthebenefitisdispersedwhileimpactisimmediate.Anotherisintheirearlystagesprojectsareveryconceptual.Asplanningprogresses,itbecomesmoretangibleastoimpact(e.g.wherelandwillneedtobetakenbyeminentdomain).Thetechnologycausespoliticalstressasitrequireswidespacingbetweenstations(approximately30miles)socommunitiesareoftensubjecttodisruptionwithoutreceivingthebenefitofastation(andtheconcomitantdevelopmentaroundsame).ThesefactorsledtotheValleyreversingtobeingamajorsourceofopposition.Butastheproject’sconstructionhasproducedeconomicbenefits,supporthasreboundedamongmanylocalofficials.TheObamafundinghaspoisonedtheprojectamongideologicalconservatives,evenlongafterthechangeinadministration.Plustherighthasanemphaticoppositiontorailwhichhasresultedincontinualattemptstostoptheproject, evenbyofficialswhoseconstituentsironicallyarebenefitingfromthejobsitcreates.

The project has recently suffered twoblows, neither fatal but both serious andconsequential. First in November 2018 theState Auditor (auditor.ca.gov) issued adamning report whose conclusions aresummed up in its subtitle: Its FlawedDecision-Making and Poor ContractManagement Have Contributed to Billionsin Cost Overruns and Delays in theSystem's Construction.

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Shortlythereafter,Governor-electGavinNewsomvisitedFresnoandstatedtheprojectneededafreshstart.ThisincontrasttohispredecessorJerryBrown,whowasacontinualboostereveninthefaceofdifficulties.

Still,atthestartofthisyeartheprojectremainedtheobjectofmuchhopeamongrailadvocatesandothersasKunznotedinpointingout,“EngineeringInc.magazinehashighspeedrailastheir[Jan./Feb.]coverstory…andinthearticletheysaythatHSRhascomeofagein2018,goingfromapipedreamtothelatestmust-havething!”

OnFeb.12thesecondblowfell,asnow-GovernorNewsominhisfirststateofthestateaddresstothelegislatureoutlinedthefreshstartasbeinganarrowingofthefocustotheunder-constructionsegments(121milesfromMercedandBakersfield)whileenvironmentalworkistocontinueonthenorthernextensiontotheBayAreaandthesoutherntoLosAngeles.HealsoannouncedachangeinleadershipbyappointinganewChairoftheAuthority’sBoardandimplementationoftheaudit’srecommendations.

Manyinthepress,especiallyFoxNewsetal.,pronouncedtheprojectdeadand/orcancelled.PresidentTrumptweetedsuchandthenstatedthefedswantedtheirmoneyback.

Followingthroughontheimpliedthreat,theFederalRailroadAdministration(FRA)sentanoticetotheAuthorityannouncingplanstoterminateagrant,demandingthenearly$1billionbereturnedandfurtherthattheFRAis,“…activelyexploringeverylegaloptiontoseekthereturnfromCaliforniaof$2.5billioninFederalfundsFRApreviouslygrantedforthisnow-defunctproject.”OnehastothinkthiswasdoneunderdirectordersfromtheWhiteHouse.Now-defunct?Really?

TheAuthorityhasstatedinretheFRA,“We

arepreparingacomprehensiveresponsebytheirrequesteddeadlineof March5. Weremaincommittedtodeliveringhigh-speedrailanditsmanyeconomic,environmental,andmobilitybenefitstoCalifornians."

Opponentsgenerallyoffernoalternative,oreventrytoimplytheneedisunnecessarybecauseanylong-distancetravelinthestatecanbeaccomplishedwithacarorplane.Thisignoresthatafterairsystemdemanddippedinthewakeof9/11,ithassinceresumedclimbingandastheCommissionreportinthe‘90snoted,airportexpansionisunlikelyandthesmartmoveisdedicateairspacetotraveloutofthestatewithhighspeedrailprovidinglongdistancetravelwithinthestateandlinkingresidentstoairports.

Inthisvein,MikeDukakis,formerGovernorofMassachusetts,Presidentialcandidate

Despitethecommentsin1999ofthen-Gov.GrayDavisthatitwas“BuckRogersTechnology,”highspeedrailhasanestablishedandformidabletrackrecordofsuccess.

andmajorrailsupporter,notes“California'spopulationisnowcloseto40million,andbeforelongitwillbeheadingfor50million.Anybodywhothinksthestatecanhandlethatmanypeoplewithoutafirstclass,modernhighspeedrailsystemmustbedreaming.Andthetimetobeginisnow.”

ThelateKevinStarr,notedhistorianandCaliforniaStateLibrarian,inaninterviewstatedabenefitoftheprojectisitwouldlinkthenorthandsouthendsofthestate,whichtothisdayoftenfeudpolitically.

Onehastheimpressionmanyopponentsfearnottheproject’spossiblefailurebutitspotentialsuccess,contrarytonear-religiousadherencetotheirpoliticalorthodoxy.

Perceptionsarethefinalobstacle.ManyyearsagoaLosAngelesTimes businessreportertoldme,“Ijustcan’tseeit.”

Despitethecommentsin1999ofthen-Gov.GrayDavisthatitwas“BuckRogersTechnology,”highspeedrailhasanestablishedandformidabletrackrecordofsuccess.Asalongtimeobserveroftheproject,Ihadlongbeenawareitscompletionwasamatterofwillandmoney

aslongastheneedwasreal.

TherecentlyadoptedCaliforniaRailPlan,fundedbyagasolinetax(SB1)thatwithstoodanefforttorepealit, isaimedatincrementalimprovementandexpansionofpassengerrailinthestatewithhighspeedrailasthebackbone.

Inthe1990s,thesubwayextensionunderWilshireBoulevardinLosAngeleswasshelvedduetofinancesandotherissues.Fellowadvocateslamentedtomeitwasdead.Irespondeditwasmerelysleepingandtheunderlyinglogicandneedwouldinevitablyreassertitself.Ittooklongyearsforthistohappenbutevenasyoureadthis,constructionoftheextensionistakingplace.Iseethehighspeedrailasagenerationalproject,andperhapslikeDisneyland,willneverbecompleted(withongoingextensionstoallendsofthishugestate).

OneadvantageNewYorkhadwhenfederalinfrastructurefundingbecameavailabletostimulatetheeconomyduringtheDepressionwasthatmasterbuilderRobertMoseshadontheshelfshovel-readyprojectscapableofproducingquickresults.AsWallStreetcontinuesplottingarepeatof2008(predictabletoanyviewerofthedocumentaryBoomBustBoom byMontyPythonmemberTerryJones)howlongbeforeanewstimuluswillbenecessarytoagainsavetheWesterneconomy?Dothemath.Californiaispreparingfortomorrow,andwillhavethelastlaughatallthenaysayers.

TheU.S.HighSpeedRailAssociationisholdingitsWestCoastConferenceinLosAngelesApril30-May2.Theseeventsarenaturalspawninggroundsforanationalcoalitionassupportersoftheprojectsinvariousportionsofthecountry(Northwest,Southwest,Midwest,Southeast)networkandbegintheprocesstoprepareforthepoliticalconsequencesofthegenerationalshiftonthehorizon.Anewdawniscomingandhighspeedrailwillshinebrightasacomponentoftheemergingnationalmulti-modaltransportationnetwork.Asthesongsays,achangeisgonna come.

Theproject’swebsiteishsr.ca.gov

DanaGabbard isaRUNBoardmemberandexecutive secretaryofSouthernCaliforniaTransitAdvocates.

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RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER. PAGE 15 OF 16

NJ RIDERS DON’T GET ANY RESPECT, OR EVEN KNOW WHEN THEY WILL GET THEIR TRAINS BACK Continuedfrompage4

ThiswriternotedthepoliticalsignificanceofthenewstatuteintheLackawannaCoalition'snewsletter,theRailgram:“westillnotethattheeffectwillbetogiveDemocratssomepatronageseatsevenwhentheGovernorisaRepublican,asoccurredduringmostoftheChristieadministration.Thisisanetgainforsomepoliticians,butnotforthebeleagueredriders.”Thearticlecontinued:“TherearecurrentlynoregulartransitridersontheBoard,andthatwillcontinue.”andadded:“Weridersarestillleftoutinthecold,andwewillbeformanymoreyears.”

OneofGov.Murphy'scampaignpromiseswastoorderan“audit”ofNJTransit,

preparedbyamanagementconsultingfirm.Thatauditappearedlastfall,andmadenomentionofridersas“stakeholders”orrecommendanyenhancedparticipationforridersortheiradvocatesindecision-makingatNJT.

LackawannaCoalitionCommunicationsDirectorSallyJaneGellert commentedintheRailgram:“ThereportdoesnotrecommendthegenuinereformthatNJTransitanditsridersneed.Wearetreatedonlyas‘consumers’withoutmentionofanygenuineparticipationinmakingdecisionsthatconcernourmobility.ThisisnodifferentfromtheLegislature'sactions,butitisstillunfortunate.”

ThesituationhasgottenpalpablyworseforNewJersey'stransitridersinthepastyear.WhiletransitmanagersandDemocratsgenerallyhaveblamedtheformerChristieadministrationfortheplightoftoday'sembattledriders,advocatesofallpoliticalstripesrememberthattheywerenot

plaguedwithannulmentsduringtheChristieera,astheyhavebeenunderMurphy'srule.Someadvocates,includingDemocrats,arebeginningtorealizethattransithasgottenworseinthepastyearwithfewertrainsrunningthanduringtheunlamentedChristieera,andnobodyseemstoknowwhenitwillgetbetter.

Managementisnothelping,either.Theagencyhasreducedtransparencywhendealingwiththepublic,sobothridersandreportersarehamperedintheireffortstolearnthetruthabouttheirtransit.Willthesituationeverimprove?Nobodyknows.NewJerseywillnothaveanewgovernorforalmostthreemoreyears,andmaybeforalmostseven.Eventhen,itisanybody'sguesswhatanygovernorandanyaggregationofmotoristsontheagency'sBoardmightdototheridersinthefuture.

David Peter AlanisChair oftheLackawanna Coalition and aRUN Boardmember.

THE COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT: NEXT STEPS FOR EXPANDING PASSENGER RAIL IN VIRGINIAContinuedfrompage6

ThesecondpanelwillbemoderatedbyDavidPeterAlan,Esq.Itwillfocusonwhat’shappeningtoAmtrak’snationalnetwork.(i.e.cutbacksinserviceatrailroadstations,eliminationoftraditionalfoodserviceforbothsleepingcarpassengersaswellasridersincoachesandotherissuesrelatedtopotentialcutsinlongdistanceservice.

PanelistsincludeJ.W.Madison,President,RailsInc.,Albuquerque,N.M.;PhilStreby,aRUNBoardmemberwhoalsoservesontheboardoftheRailPassengersAssociationandisTreasureroftheIndianaPassengerRailAlliance;andDonaldM.Boyd,Secretary-TreasurerofLocal43,whichrepresentsthediningcar workersonAmtrak. HehasworkedwithAmtrakinvariouscraftsfor38yearsandhasbeenactivewiththeunionfor30years.

After ashort break, anAudience Forumwill beheld, enabling conferenceparticipants toshare their ideasabouthowpassenger rail andrail transitservices canbeexpanded andimprovedinVirginia andelsewhere inthenation.Participants attending theconferencewill alsohaveanopportunity totakeanoptional tour with DannyPlaugher onSaturdaymorning toseethe historicdowntown PassengerRail Stationlocated in Shockhoe Bottom. TheRenaissance Revivalstylestationopened in1901to servethe SeaboardAirLine andC&Orailroads. Itsornate,domedclock tower isacity landmark.Amtrakcurrently usesthestation fortrains goingto orcoming fromNewportNews, VA.

Wehopetoattractnotonlyrailadvocates,butalsocivicleaders,businesspeople,environmentalists,planners,realestatedevelopersandmembersofthegeneralpublicwhowanttoknowmoreabouttheissuesthatwillbediscussed.

TheearlyregistrationfeeuntilApril15is$35,$40fromApril16– May12,May13onandatthedoor- $45.Itincludesmorningrefreshments,lunchandan

afternoonrefreshmentbreak,andallconferencematerials/handouts.IfyouwishtostayinRichmondbeforeoraftertheconference,wesuggestthatyoulookattheofficialtourismwebsiteforRichmond.

TheVirginiansforHighSpeedRailOfficeislocatedintheWillowLawn&WytheBuilding,5101MonumentAvenue.inRichmond.TheofficecanbereachedfromdowntownbytakingtheBRTlinetoBroad&StaplesMill.Itisashort12-minutewalktotheconferencesite.

Pleasejoinusatwhatpromisestobeanexciting,thought-provokingevent.ParticipantscanregisterandmakepaymentonRUN’swebsite,railusers.net,orviaregularmail.ChecksshouldbesenttoRUN,Box8015,Portland,Maine04104.Furtherdetailsconcerningtheconferencewillbeannouncedasarrangementsaremadeonourwebsite.

Formoreinformation,youcanalsocallRichardRudolph,Chair,RailUsers’Network.Hecanbestbereachedat207-776-4961,orcallDannyPlaugher,ExecutiveDirector,VirginiansforHighSpeedRail,at804-864-5173.

FROM THE

RUN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rail Users’ Network Newsletter is published quarterly by the Rail Users’ Network, a 501 (c) (3), nonprofit corporation.

We welcome your thoughts and comments about our newsletter. Please write to us: RUN, P.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104

As a grassroots organization, we depend upon your contributions to allow us to pursue our important work. Please donate to help us grow.

Please become a member of RUN... We invite you to become a member of the Rail Users’ Network, which represents rail passengers’ interests in North America. RUN is based on the successful British model, which has been serving passengers since 1948. RUN networks passengers, their advocacy organizations, and their advisory councils. RUN is working to help secure an interconnected system of rail services that passengers will use with pride. RUN forms a strong, unified voice for intercity, regional/commuter, and transit rail passenger interests. By joining together, sharing information, best practices, and resources through networking, passengers will have a better chance of a vocal and meaningful seat at the decision making table.

RUN members enjoy newsletters, international conferences, regional rail forums, and other meetings to share information while working to improve and expand rail passenger service.

Membership is open to passengers, official advisory councils, advocacy groups, public agencies, tourist and convention bureaus, carriers and other profit-making organizations.

We hope you will join — vital decisions and legislation affecting the North American rail transportation system are being made daily. Don’t be left behind at the station!

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Mail to RAIL USERS’ NETWORK. P.O. BOX 8015, PORTLAND, ME 04104 USA

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RAIL USERS NETWORKP.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104