National Association of Railroad Passengers: www.narprail.org

Hotline #401

The most important thing rail passenger supporters can do now—beyond contact your own legislators if you haven’t already done so—is put a flier such as the one available on our website into the hands of as many Amtrak passengers as possible.

The first, major step in the fiscal 2006 funding process is expected June 15 with the House appropriations subcommittee chaired by Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) expected to “mark up” (write and approve) its funding bill. The bill covers a wide range of programs, as reflected in the name: “Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, District of Columbia.”

NARP’s Ross Capon will be among the witnesses Thursday, June 9, when the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads holds a hearing on “Amtrak’s Food and Beverage Operations,” as Amtrak’s $80 million loss on food service has come under heavy criticism recently.

Residents across the state of Montana rallied on June 1 and 2 in support of the Empire Builder and Amtrak’s National Network services. Town Hall meetings and rallies were held in Glasgow, Havre, and Whitefish and rallies/press events were also held in Shelby (at the crew base for Montana’s Empire Builder service).

A host of politicians and advocates attended, including United States Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer (D), Montana Lieutenant Governor John Bohlinger (R), Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT).and a representative of Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT). In addition, NARP President George Chilson and Assistant Director David Johnson attended. A full recap will be featured in next week’s hotline.

Joseph H. Boardman began his tenure at the Federal Railroad Administration this week. Boardman was the head of the New York State Department of Transportation. He had sharp differences with Amtrak in the Turboliner controversy, but, as we reported following his April 13 confirmation hearing, he defended Amtrak at that hearing and said that zero subsidies are not the way to solve the railroad’s problems. “If confirmed, I believe we have to work in collaboration, it will not be zero. If we can reform and make the changes necessary to support rail transportation, that will not occur” (as quoted in the Associated Press). AP also quoted Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) saying “he was supporting the nomination in part because Boardman ‘assured me he would fight hard for Amtrak.’”

The State of New York and SuperSteel reached agreement on the amount the state will pay to the company to end the contract for rebuilding turboliners. With this agreement, the state appears to have given up hope of operating the trains. Meanwhile, the state’s $477 million lawsuit against Amtrak has not been resolved.

The Oklahoma Legislature passed House Bill 1078 which will appropriate $2 million in both 2006 and 2007 for the operation of the Heartland Flyer. The funds come from $850,000 gasoline tax earmark plus monies from the passenger account of the Oklahoma Railroad Maintenance Revolving Fund. Thanks to all rail advocates in Oklahoma who worked so tirelessly on this issue!

With the ever-increasing cost of gas, many transit agencies are noting increased ridership. The Los Angeles Daily News discussed an increase at stations along the Antelope Valley line in an article this week. “Records that chart the number of passengers boarding and exiting trains at each station reveal an increase in ridership at the Santa Clarita, Newhall and Via Princessa stations from March to April, according to city officials…The increase in local Metrolink ridership coincides with a significant jump in the cost of gasoline in Southern California from March to April. The average price per gallon was $2.64 as of April 12, a jump of 30 cents from the previous month, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California.”

Caltrain has taken the single scene to a new level: more specifically upper or lower level. Caltrain has teamed up with Table For Six and the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance to host “Romance on the Rails,” an event designed for single Caltrain commuters to meet each other, according to this release issued jointly by the three organizations. The event will feature a variety of activities, including a designated “Romance on the Rails” Caltrain car traveling between San Francisco and Menlo Park at 6 pm on Tuesday, June 14. More information is on the Caltrain website.