Jan 04, 2008: Hotline #534

The 110th Congress will convene for its second session the week after next; the House convenes on January 15, while the Senate returns January 22.  S. 294, the bipartisan Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which passed the Senate by a wide margin in October, has been sent to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  S. 294 reauthorizes Amtrak for six years and creates new passenger rail matching grants for states.  Please urge your Representative to push for the swift introduction of a House version of S. 294.  Go to our Action Alert Center for full details.

Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) appointed Rep. Roger Wicker (R) to replace Trent Lott as U.S. Senator effective January 1.  Lott announced his resignation earlier in 2007; Lott was instrumental in the creation and Senate passage of S. 294, and rallying Republican support for passenger trains.  During 2007, Rep. Wicker voted “pro-rail” on seven out of eight votes in the House.

One small purchase of oil at the record price $100 a barrel took occurred on Wednesday, January 2, for the first time, prompting a front-page article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal which said “steep gasoline prices also threaten America’s long love affair with the automobile, while putting strains on many lower-income people outside big cities, who must spend an increasing share of their budgets just on fuel to get to work.”  Of course, what some call a “love affair” is a forced marriage in which public officials and developers create auto-dependent environments where providing the transit choice is impossible or nearly so.

Jackson, MI’s historic 1873 train station will be restored thanks to a $300,000 state grant the Michigan DOT awarded Amtrak yesterday.  Amtrak will begin preliminary engineering work; up to $12 million will ultimately be needed to fully transform the station into an intermodal terminal for both Amtrak and the Jackson Transportation Authority.

South Florida’s Tri-Rail Commuter Rail reached record ridership in 2007, carrying 3.5 million passengers.  This marked a 10.2 percent increase over 2006, which was the first year Tri-Rail ridership topped 3 million.  Ridership has increased 31 percent since Tri-Rail completed its second mainline track project in March, 2006.

A massive Arctic storm bore down on California today, causing the cancellation of Amtrak Thruway buses east and north of Sacramento.  There is also the possibility that California Zephyr trains will be unable to conquer Donner Pass this weekend due to blizzard conditions, though Union Pacific vowed to use its resources to keep the line clear as best as possible.  Torrential rains and heavy winds may affect passenger and freight trains on other lines.

Tens of thousands of Amtrak and New Jersey Transit passengers were delayed yesterday morning after Northeast Corridor catenary wire fell outside Newark, fouling two out of four tracks.  16 NJT trains alone were cancelled and 43 were delayed.  Woes for area commuters were compounded when PATH dealt with two third-rail electrical system fires near Hoboken later in the morning, as well as an intoxicated passenger falling onto the tracks.  Extreme cold in the region has led to other sporadic delays on area commuter rail systems that rely on overheard catenary power.

A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in Bolivar, PA, hitting a train on an adjacent track.  Amtrak’s eastbound Pennsylvanian train 43 was affected; it is not known if passengers were bussed.

The Clark County Historical Association of Arkadelphia, AR is establishing a museum in the town’s train station that is served by the Texas Eagle.  The group has agreed to have the City of Arkadelphia open and operate a passenger waiting room in.  Currently, Arkadelphia passengers do not have a secure, indoor place to wait for the train.

Washington Union Station was briefly evacuated on New Year’s Day after a grease fire erupted at a fast food stand in the basement food court, sending thick smoke into the air.  Three Amtrak trains were delayed as a result of the incident; damage was minimal.

Ric Williamson, chair of the Texas Transportation Commission, passed away on Sunday of an apparent heart attack; he was 55.  Williamson was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry (R) to the TTC in 2000 and was named chair in 2004, working to push Gov. Perry’s Trans-Texas Corridor plan.

Presidential Emergency Board 242 sent its recommendations on the Amtrak labor disputes to the White House on December 30.  As of this writing, the report (including executive summary) apparently is available only at this site, hosted by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes.  Presumably, it will soon be added at the National Mediation Board web site, where there is a complete list of previous PEBs and links to PEBs 236-241 (involving United Air Lines, SEPTA, and Metro-North Commuter Railroad).

PEB 242 rejected Amtrak’s claim that it could not afford retroactive pay, and ordered back pay of $12,848 per employee, defining as eligible those employees who were on the payroll as of December 1, 2007, to be paid 40% this year and 60% in Fiscal 2009.  This implies a relatively small cost increase for Fiscal 2007 compared with Amtrak’s proposed $4,500 signing bonus, but a steep $7,700 per employee in Fiscal 2009, which Amtrak had not planned.

For wages other than retroactive pay, the PEB adopted the union recommendation, but without honoring the union request to reinstate the “’Harris COLA,’ which provides for a small annual wage adjustment after the amendable date of the contract until a deal is reached.”  As for the date when the new contracts become amendable, the PEB agreed with the unions’ recommendation of December 31, 2009, “in keeping with the Freight pattern.”  (Amtrak had proposed September 30, 2010, to coincide with its and the federal government’s fiscal year.)

The PEB recommended no changes in work rules, noting that none of the changes Amtrak sought “were made in the Freight agreements.”

On Health and Welfare, the PEB recommended benefit changes parallel to what was incorporated in the freight railroad agreements in 2000, except that the PEB included “minor modifications, proposed by Amtrak.”

The PEB recommendations contrast with the negotiating principles outlined by former Amtrak CEO David Gunn in 2003 and subequently embraced by present CEO Alex Kummant (as in his June 12, 2007, House Railroads Subcommittee testimony): match freight railroad deals on pay; no back pay; health insurance cost containment; workplace flexibility (that is, work rule changes) that do not cause lay-offs.

PEB 242’s executive summary stated, in part, “The Board finds that Congress should be informed of the ‘true cost’ of Amtrak service; and leave it to Congress to determine whether to provide the necessary funding.”

Amtrak gave this statement to reporters who inquired: “Amtrak is carefully reviewing the recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) regarding the issues brought before the PEB by Amtrak and nine unions representing a portion of Amtrak’s employees. Amtrak’s concern has always been the railroad’s ability to make pay increases retroactive and to achieve efficiencies through work rule reform, and we’ll be looking closely at the recommendations particularly as they relate to these issues.  Amtrak will have further comment on the PEB recommendations later.”

A White House statement said, in part, “On December 30, 2007, the President received the report and recommendations of the Presidential Emergency Board… The President appreciates the Board’s diligent work in this matter.  The President urges the parties to continue to work in good faith to resolve their dispute, taking into account the Emergency Board’s recommendations.”

It is not clear at this point what will happen next.  The parties are free to exercise “self-help” (strike) on January 30, but before then either the parties can come to voluntary agreement or Congress can legislate a settlement.

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Jan 11, 2008: Hotline #535

The 110th Congress will convene for its second session next week; the House convenes on January 15, while the Senate returns January 22.  S. 294, the bipartisan Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which passed the Senate by a wide margin in October, has been sent to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  S. 294 reauthorizes Amtrak for six years and creates new passenger rail matching grants for states.  Please urge your Representative to push for the swift introduction of a House version of S. 294.  Go to our Action Alert Center for full details.

Amtrak has released the executive summary of an Illinois-commissioned study to reinstate passenger service along the old Rock Island route to Moline in the Quad Cities area.  Two potential routes were studied, with the more favorable write-up given to the BNSF via Naperville and Princeton and a connection to the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) at Wyanet, IL.  A more circuitous and significantly slower route would take the CN to Joliet, CSX to LaSalle, and the IAIS the rest of the way.  IAIS track is dark territory and would require between $14.1 million and $94.1 million to upgrade, depending on the route selected.  The highest projected annual ridership – 110,800 – would come via the BNSF route and a $22.7 million investment to bring the IAIS up to 79 mph standards, while the lowest-cost capital investment option of $14.1 million would increase IAIS standards to 60 mph and bring the second-highest projected ridership of 102,700.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) unveiled his proposed 2008-09 state budget yesterday.  While most departments would face a 10-percent across-the-board cut, specific programs – including intercity passenger rail – would be preserved at existing levels or better.  Schwarzenegger’s budget web site indicates a line-item of “$106 million to manage and coordinate intercity rail passenger services that provide commuters with a range of transportation options, help improve the state’s air quality, and reduce highway congestion and fuel consumption.”  $73 million Proposition 1B bond funds are also designated for intercity rail, presumably for an equipment order.

Schwarzenegger once again proposed only a skeletal $1.2 million operating budget for the California High Speed Rail Authority.  However, he also urged the State Assembly to place the $9.95 billion bond measure to fund initial construction of a state high-speed rail system on the November ballot this year.  This contrasts with his successful efforts to postpone the long-delayed measure in 2004 and 2006.  If passed, $9 billion would go to the high-speed rail program, while $950 million would be used to boost existing Amtrak and commuter rail services.

Jacksonville Union Station may return to its former glory as an intermodal transportation center.  The Florida Department of Transportation held a public meeting yesterday regarding the $147 million project to develop environs of the building (now the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center) for Amtrak, Greyhound, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority services.  $50 million in funding for the first phase has already been secured, and construction could begin as early as next year.

Missouri DOT will request from the General Assembly $10.6 million in capital funds this year to target capacity improvements to the Union Pacific line between St. Louis and Kansas City that state-financed Amtrak trains use.  This is one of very few routes in the country that have seen ridership drop in recent years, and poor on-time performance is the reason.  This one-time capital outlay would be in addition to the $7.4 million in state operating assistance.  Some lawmakers are hesitant to support funding improvements to Union Pacific assets without assurances from UP regarding improved on-time delivery for Amtrak.

The Canadian Provinces of Ontario and Quebec will study the feasibility of high-speed rail in the Quebec City-Montreal-Toronto-Windsor corridor.  Yesterday, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Quebec Premier Jean Charest jointly announced the study, which the federal government will partially fund. Federal Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon offered qualified support in a statement, saying, “This government is committed to examining alternatives that offer comfortable, faster and more reliable passenger rail services that will also contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions.”  However, Cannon would also like to see the private sector should some of the investment burden.  David Jeanes, president of the advocacy group Transport 2000 Canada, praised the announced study. “The time is now because of fuel costs ... because of the environment and because of the economy,” Jeanes said.

Eurostar, the high-speed trains linking London with Paris and Brussels, posted record ridership for 2007.  8.26 million passengers rode the trains, an increase of 5.1 percent (with an 11.9 percent increase in business travel).  Last November, true high-speed operations were inaugurated on the British side, reducing the trip time by 20 minutes, and the London terminal was moved to a renovated St. Pancras International Station.  The Eurostar operating consortium is now promoting cheaper through fares with connecting train operators within the UK to stimulate business for both.

Two homemade bombs were placed along CSX tracks in Newport News, VA on Saturday, delaying Amtrak Regional trains.  There were no injuries or reported damage as bomb squad officers contained the devices.

NARP continues to monitor the situation regarding the Amtrak labor dispute.  The parties are free to exercise “self-help” (strike or lockout) at 12:01 AM on January 30, but before then either the parties can come to voluntary agreement or Congress can legislate a settlement or mandate binding arbitration.  Joel Parker, vice president of the Transportation Communications Union and a chief negotiator for the unions, told Newsday, and Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black confirmed, that talks will resume Wednesday.  Amtrak indicated in a statement that “both sides are committed to resolving their issues without a strike.”  The recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board 242 are now available at the National Mediation Board web site.

We apologize for the delay in posting today’s hotline.  The server which hosts our website was down from about 5:15 to 7:30pm today.  Thanks for coming back later than usual to read our weekly news hotline.

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Jan 18, 2008: Hotline #536

Amtrak today signed a tentative agreement with the nine unions that were legally free to strike January 30.  While the exact terms of the deal will not be public until the agreement is ratified, press accounts indicate the agreement mirrors the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board #242.  In a message to employees, Amtrak CEO Alex Kummant said, “We have averted a strike that could have had a crippling effect on the lives of millions of Americans.  More importantly, we have jointly reached tentative agreements that enable us to get back to what brings us together, rather than what sets us apart…I encourage everyone to put the disputes from the past behind them and to focus on what we can learn from this experience and how we can grow together.”

The Wall Street Journal, in a January 16 Page A8 story, reported that if the contract passes as proposed, Amtrak will face a budget deficit of at least $150 million in Fiscal 2009 (which begins October 1, 2008).  Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black told the Journal that, “the company…is considering a wide range of options to fund a settlement, including possible cost cuts and additional funding from Congress.”  NARP will continue to encourage Amtrak to close any funding gaps by growing revenues and not by reducing service.

After two years of hard work, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission released Transportation for Tomorrow, a report on the status and future of America’s highways, bridges, and transit systems.  The Commission unveiled its report Tuesday, January 15, before a crowd of reporters and transportation insiders at the National Press Club.  NARP Executive Director, Ross Capon, a member of the Commission’s Passenger Rail Working Group (PRWG), was present.  In NARP’s release regarding the report, Capon noted that “this long-awaited report takes a hard look at the quality-of-life, economic, environmental, and energy consequences of our current transportation policy and maps out a realistic strategy to address current and upcoming needs.”  Focusing on the passenger rail aspect of the report, Capon said “Transportation for Tomorrow” builds upon NARP’s proposed “Grid and Gateway” train network which we unveiled this past summer.  In particular, many of the routes included in the report were originally a part of NARP’s plan, as well as the idea of using rail to increase the level of connectedness between rural and metropolitan areas.  NARP’s release concluded, “Capon thanked the Commission, especially Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation Frank Busalacchi,” who chaired the PRWG.
Yesterday (January 17), the Commission testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  The Commission was authorized in SAFETEA-LU, the 2005 highway/transit reauthorization, to provide recommendations for the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, due in 2009.  Ten members of the twelve member body attended to testify on their findings.  Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, who chaired the Commission, and former Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Maria Cino, were absent from both the hearing and the Tuesday news conference; they issued a dissenting “minority report” and declined to testify.  Commissioner Rick Geddes, who co-signed that minority report, did appear and graciously used his microphone time to underline points on which the Commission was in unanimous agreement rather than to press the gist of his written testimony which was focused on “direct pricing of road services.” 

The hearing began with opening statements from Committee members including Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) who said the report is necessary because the United States is “investing in its transportation system at the same rate as a third world nation.”  Commenting on the absence of Secretary Peters, DeFazio said he “would have loved for the Secretary to come and defend the indefensible.”  Next, each commissioner testified.  Vice Chairman Jack Schenendorf, who assumed added responsibilities because of Chairman Peters’ absence, gave an overall outline of the Commission’s majority views.  He said the nation should transition to a vehicle-miles-traveled tax, replacing the existing gasoline tax, but that it would take until from 2015 to 2030 to achieve this, including the need to address logistical and privacy issues.  For highways, transit and railroads, the Commission sees the need for annual investments of $225 to $338 billion [including $8 billion for passenger rail and $6 to $8 billion for freight rail].  Schenendorf said we are currently spending less than 40% of that amount.

Following Schenendorf, each commissioner spoke.  Here are some highlights:
• Steve Heminger, executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission in California’s Bay Area, said the Commission focused heavily on the roughly 50 metro areas with populations over one million.  He said “we can expect 120 million more citizens by 2050, but they will not be spread out evenly, most will be in these metro areas.  These areas currently account for about 60% of U.S. population and GDP, but 90% of traffic congestion, transit trips, and population exposed to automobile emissions.”
• Matt Rose, CEO of BNSF Railroads.  Speaking on the future of railroading in America, Rose said, “High speed rail should be the starting point, not the ending point.” 
• Speaking on the importance of rail service to our transit systems, Commissioner Paul Weyrich said, “Many cities have mass transit systems not attractive enough to get people out of their cars.  People do not like buses.  The Commission recommends increased reliance on electric rail, especially in cities that don’t have it now. We must fund a first-class transit system to the point where people have the incentive to use it.” 
• Frank McArdle of New York said as a New York City resident he was enjoying a lifestyle made possible by big investments of the early 20th century and if the country did not get moving on similar commitments that life style would slip away in New York and elsewhere.  To illustrate the success of the major rehabilitation of New York subways over the past few decades, he cited the cost of a one-bedroom apartment on the West Side—$20,000 thirty years ago when the subways were in bad shape, $800,000 today.  He told the Committee members that’s “a good measure of the success of the investment you helped to make.”

The majority agreed that intercity passenger rail was vital to the nation’s future.  Indeed, in collapsing hundreds of federal highway and other programs into 10, intercity passenger rail was the only mode-specific program recommended.  The Peters/Cino/Geddes minority report stated, in part, “it is not clear that $9 billion per year in cost-beneficial investment opportunities in [intercity] passenger rail could be found.”

The City Council of Champaign, IL has passed a resolution  urging Canadian National Railroad not to abandon the St. Charles Air Line in downtown Chicago before the so-called Grand Crossing track connection is built.  As part of CN’s proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad, CN would abandon nearly 10 miles of track in downtown Chicago.  Amtrak’s two Chicago-Carbondale trains and the City of New Orleans use this line to reach Union Station.  A long-discussed track connection where Norfolk Southern’s Cleveland-Chicago mainline crosses over the CN would permit abandoning the Airline and eliminate Amtrak backup moves, knocking about 15 minutes off the current Champaign-Chicago running time.  The proposed merger and abandonment are currently before the Surface Transportation Board.  Interested parties have until January 28 to file comments before the Board.

Dubuque, Iowa is moving ahead with plans to restore train service to the area.   The city has selected a site in the Port of Dubuque, near the McGraw-Hill building and near the Star Brewery complex, for a station stop to accommodate the Amtrak trains that are proposed to arrive there daily from Chicago.  The plans for this station include a 340-foot, handicapped-accessible boarding platform to be built south of the existing railroad tracks, which run east and west. This covered platform is expected to cost $385,000.  There are also plans to construct a storage facility for the trains. The cost of this project is estimated at $137,000.  It likely will be on a side track parallel to the Third Street overpass.  According to city officials, this station will one day be a part of a proposed intermodal transit facility that will be capable of handling cars, buses, and trolleys in the Port of Dubuque.  All station project plans have to be evaluated and approved by Amtrak, Canadian National Railroad, and the Federal Railroad Administration.

On Thursday, the Canadian government announced that it will be providing Algoma Central Railway  with $4.2 million in operating funds to continue passenger service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario.  The funding for this service, will last through March 31, 2009.  The Algoma Central Railway’s passenger rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Hearst, Ontario supports the regional economy by carrying customers, staff and supplies to remote commercial lodges and wilderness tour points.  Many of these areas can only be reached by rail.  The funds represent an increase, since the Canadian government has been providing operating funds of up to $2.1 million per year for the past decade to this service.  In 2006, the federal government also provided Algoma Central Railway, a subsidiary of CN, with $1.5 million for the refurbishment of its passenger rail fleet.  The refurbished fleet was put into service in April 2007.  Michael A. Cory, vice-president of CN”s eastern region said that “CN welcomes the government’s continued support for this passenger rail service.”  Federal funding comes from Transport Canada’s Regional and Remote Passenger Rail Services Class Contribution Program.   

BNSF railroad reopened its main rail line across eastern Montana and western North Dakota Sunday after a weekend derailment.  Twenty three cars of an eastbound BNSF train derailed near Trenton, North Dakota on Saturday.  The train was carrying lumber, frozen French Fries, canned fruit, and other merchandise.  Fortunately, there were no injuries and BNSF crews worked throughout the night to clear the wreckage from the tracks.  While the line was blocked, Amtrak bused passengers between Minot, North Dakota and Havre.  BNSF was forced to reroute some trains because of the blockage.  BNSF officials said 15 rail cars were destroyed and that the derailment is still under investigation.

 

 

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Jan 25, 2008: Hotline #537

The Sunset Marketing and Revitalization Team (SMART) held its inaugural kickoff meeting last Saturday in New Orleans.  Formed in 2007 as a grassroots, citizen group, SMART represents the first team NARP has fostered to support and grow Amtrak’s long-distance, national network routes.  SMART welcomed at the meeting representatives from Amtrak, hoping to build a constructive relationship with all Sunset Limited stakeholders.  SMART was also honored to welcome John Robert Smith, Mayor of Meridian, MS, and former Amtrak board chairman, as well as Karen Parsons, Executive Director of the Southern Rapid Rail Transit Commission, and Gwenn Voigts, President of the Pass Christian, MS Chamber of Commerce.

Several representatives from the Texas Eagle Marketing and Performance Organization (TEMPO) were also at the meeting.  TEMPO celebrated its tenth anniversary last year after a decade of leveraging a broad coalition between passenger rail, civic, and business interests to not only save Amtrak’s Texas Eagle, but improve onboard amenities, upgrade stations, and improve both schedule and performance of the service that connects Chicago, San Antonio, and Los Angeles.  TEMPO’s work has also led to restoration of train stations along the Texas Eagle route, helping towns to leverage their stations as points of civic pride and historical importance, while boosting the appeal for potential tourists and making the train travel option more inviting and hospitable for local residents.

While SMART members were quick to call for the restoration of service along the Sunset route between New Orleans and Orlando that has been suspended since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, NARP Communications Associate Matthew Melzer noted that the activities of SMART will have a much broader focus.  “Members of SMART along the entire route are eager to reach out to their local political and businesses leaders to educate them about the benefits of passenger trains, and to work to improve Amtrak’s stations and awareness of Amtrak’s product,” said Melzer. “The official mission of SMART is to preserve, restore, and expand Amtrak passenger train service along Amtrak’s original transcontinental Sunset route.  This can take a variety of forms.  SMART stands ready to assist Amtrak and other stakeholders to improve ridership, revenue, and brand image along this historic, key route.”

A bipartisan coalition of governors and mayors is calling for significantly improved federal infrastructure investment.  At a press conference in Los Angeles on Saturday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) joined California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) to unveil the new Building America’s Future campaign, which will seek to make the crises facing transportation and other national infrastructure key issues in the 2008 presidential election.

Oklahoma State Representative Mike Jackson (R-Enid) has filed legislation to fund expansion of passenger rail service in the state.  HB 2790 would earmark for passenger rail development a portion of vehicle registration fees now going to the general revenue fund.  Funding would phase up from $7 million in FY2009 to $21 million by FY2011.

Four specific service improvements would be made: Extension of the Heartland Flyer to Wichita and the national system connection at Newton (15% of the new funds); development of new service from Tulsa to the national system connection at St. Louis (20% of the new funds); capital investment in the state-owned Sooner Subdivision portion of the South Central Corridor between Oklahoma City and Tulsa to support frequent passenger operations (45% of the new funds); and infrastructure improvements and operating funds to improve reliability, reduce travel times, and add a second daily train from Fort Worth north through Oklahoma, possibly part of through day service from Kansas City (20% of the new funds).  Initially, funds would accumulate in the Oklahoma Tourism and Passenger Rail Revolving Fund for capital requirements along each route.  A federal match is essential for the latter two.  Later, the funds could be used for annual operating costs.  For more information, visit the Oklahoma Rail Passenger Association web site.

Amtrak has relocated its Albuquerque, NM station to the Alvarado Transportation Center next door to the existing station.  The old station will become a crew base.  Alvarado originally opened in 2002, and now consolidates into one facility Amtrak, Greyhound and subsidiaries, ABQ Ride Transit, and New Mexico Rail Runner commuter rail.

Amtrak now offers business class on the Adirondack between New York and Rouses Point.  It is not available for the Canadian segment to and from Montreal as US and Canadian immigration officers reserve the entire car in which business class seating is located for passenger screening in both directions.

A major landslide along Union Pacific tracks near Oakridge, OR severed the line used by Amtrak’s Coast Starlight between Chemult and Eugene.  Until today, Amtrak provided sensible substitute service, running regular service between Los Angeles and Klamath Falls, a bus bridge to Eugene, and a stub train between Eugene and Seattle.  Now Amtrak has canceled service along the entire Coast Starlight route until the massive obstruction is cleared, with no alternative transportation offered.  While the initial cancellation could run to the end of the month, reports indicate that it could take several weeks or longer to clear the blockage and reopen the UP line. 

NARP strongly urges Amtrak to continue the contingency plan first offered (bus bridge) that served its passengers well, and provided continuity in service.  In a note to top Amtrak management, including President and CEO Alex Kummant, NARP Executive Director Ross B. Capon said, in part, “Given the relatively short bus link that would be required to maintain Starlight service (Klamath Falls-Eugene, 173 miles), it should be practical to do this, thereby helping people with limited or no alternatives as well as those traveling in major markets who prefer a short bus hop to a forced shift to either airlines or Greyhound all the way.  It also would show good faith on Amtrak’s part to public officials along the route, especially those considering adding service on the Coast Line in California.”  Capon also expressed NARP’s concurrence with a letter to Kummant from Rail Passenger Association of California President Paul J. Dyson.

Due to CSX trackwork, northbound Amtrak Palmetto train 90 is originating in Florence, SC (instead of Savannah, GA) now through February 7.  Amtrak is not providing alternative transportation between Florence and Savannah.  Southbound train 89 is not affected.

Due to Norfolk Southern trackwork, Amtrak’s Crescent will not run between Atlanta and New Orleans for approximately four weeks beginning on February 10.  Amtrak does not plan to provide alternative transportation south of Atlanta.  However, service may resume sooner if NS completes its trackwork early.

More than a dozen cars of a CSX intermodal train derailed in Canastota, NY on Wednesday.  Amtrak bussed passengers between Albany and Syracuse the rest of the day.

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