NARP November 2002 Hotlines

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Voters nationwide will elect a new Congress on November 5. With very close division in both houses between the major parties, the outcome could shape important legislation expected in 2003. That includes renewal of surface transportation laws (TEA-21), and Amtrak reauthorization. The elections may even determine who will chair key House and Senate committees.

Also, in several localities, voters will consider ballot initiatives relating to transportation:

--In Washington State, Referendum 51 would raise the gas tax by 9 cents to help transportation projects statewide (including improvements to the Cascade Corridor).

--Also in Washington State is Initiative 776, which would eliminate $700 million in local, voter-approved funding for transportation (including commuter rail).

--In Hamilton County (Cincinnati), Ohio, voters will consider Issue 7, which would create a half-cent sales tax to be used for a light-rail system and expansion of bus transit. The tax would raise about 25% of the total cost ($2.7 billion). The state would be asked for another 25% and the federal government the other 50%.

--In California, Proposition 51 would divert 30% of tax revenues on car sales and leases that now go to the general fund to the Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Bus Trust Fund. In the first year (2002-03), $420 million would be spent, $910 million the next year, and increasing amounts after that. A variety of transportation improvements would benefit, including some earmarked projects that have attracted controversy for the appearance of benefiting some supporters of the initiative. The measure is supported by the Sierra Club and opposed by the League of Women Voters.

Of the Proposition 51 funds, 16% would go to the Transit Service Expansion and Enhancements Account (for rail and bus transit operations and maintenance), 4% to the Rail Grade Separations Account, 4% to the Intercity and Commuter Rail Capital and Operations Account, 4% to the Passenger Rail Improvement, Safety, and Modernization Account. Earmarks include money for light rail to the Sacramento Amtrak station and airport, BART extension to San Jose, Caltrain extensions to Salinas and Transbay Terminal, Chinatown light-rail tunnel in San Francisco, Pasadena-Claremont light rail, East Los Angeles light rail, Exposition line light rail (or bus transit), Escondido light rail, and Amtrak service from Los Angeles to Palm Springs and Indio. Various capital improvements to existing Amtrak lines also are included.

--In three California counties -- Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco -- voters will consider Measure BB, a $1.05 billion bond measure for seismic upgrades to the BART system, and other improvements. It requires a two-thirds majority to pass.

--In Northern Virginia, voters will consider a referendum to institute a half-cent, local sales tax to raise money for transportation. Forty percent of the revenues will go to transit (such as Metrorail, including to Dulles Airport, and Virginia Railway Express). However, a coalition of environmentalist/anti-sprawl and anti-tax interests are opposing the measure. The anti-sprawl side argues that too much money will go to highways in exurban Washington.

Amtrak discontinued dining-car service on the Texas Eagle south of Fort Worth, October 28, in a cost-saving move. The car will travel to San Antonio, but crews will turn around at Fort Worth. Only snack-coach service will be available (the full lounge has been missing from most trips since summer, due to the back-up of wreck-damage repairs). For now, sleeping-car passengers are allowed to get food items there at no charge. A lounge menu intended for sleeping-car passengers is expected later in November. NARP has urged Amtrak to restore amenities, particularly on higher-volume trips.

Amtrak's official test of the new positive train control (PTC) system in central Illinois was October 31. A standard Amtrak train with a PTC-equipped locomotive reached a speed of 109.6 mph, in a zone where the normal limit is 79 mph. The train carried about 120 guests, including politicians, officials, and reporters. A preliminary test was held on October 24, and reached 101 mph. The segment that has been completed is about 16 miles long, from Normal north to Lexington. The entire project runs from Springfield north to Mazonia (between Dwight and Joliet), 123 miles. State officials hope for revenue service at 110 mph on that segment a little over a year from now.

Amtrak will call back 48 workers to its shops at Bear, Del., by mid-month. They were among the 178 workers laid off at Bear and Wilmington back in February. Amtrak said it could not wait for fiscal 2003 funding to be settled before starting to address some of the backlog of damaged cars, as well as cars that need regular maintenance.

Moody's Investors Service announced on October 29 that it had confirmed Amtrak's credit ratings ("A3"). Moody's had been reviewing Amtrak's finances after they were put on "Watchlist" status in the wake of the November 2001 Amtrak Reform Council findings and subsequent "liquidity pressures." However, Moody's now says that following the FRA loan and Congressional supplemental appropriations this summer, "these two measures demonstrate continued federal support for Amtrak, given the strategically vital role it plays as the national passenger railroad, but more significantly as the service provider and owner of the right-of-way between Boston and Washington, as well as operator of contract commuter services in the Northeast Corridor." Moody's goes on to list challenges still facing Amtrak, such as uncertainty over fiscal 2003 funding, but notes that "new senior management is focused on streamlining operations and getting back to core Amtrak businesses through reorganization and a zero-based budget."

Amtrak's October 27 national timetable has errors in a few places. Check with Amtrak before relying on published times for train 98 (Silver Meteor) between Washington and New York, and train 448 (Lake Shore Limited) between Worcester and Boston.

The four West Coast corridors -- Cascade, Capitol, San Joaquin, and Pacific Surfliner -- have a 30% discount valid for sale through November 11. If booked on-line, the discount is 35%, but in any event, the discount is calculated from the best available fare. It includes Thruway buses associated with these corridors. Travel must be done by December 13, and November 26-December 3 are "black-out" dates when the discount does not apply. Tickets must be booked at least two days before travel and are non-refundable. The promotion code to use is H254.

Another "late fall" discount is available nationwide on Amtrak, offering 30% off the best available fare. It will be for sale from November 4 to December 13, for travel from November 7 to February 28; with black-outs November 26-December 3, December 19-January 5, February 14-17. Tickets must be booked at least three days before travel and are non-refundable. The promotion code is H233 -- but if you book on-line and use promotion code H234, the discount is 35%.

A groundbreaking ceremony at Stockton, Cal., on October 21, was held to begin a $4.6-million project to renovate the former Southern Pacific station on Aurora St. The station, built in 1930, has been boarded up since the end of SP passenger service in 1971 (the eve of Amtrak's creation). More recently, passenger service has been restored to an adjacent location -- first by Altamont Commuter Express in 1998, then by the start of Amtrak San Joaquin service to Sacramento in 1999. The remaining San Joaquins (Oakland line) use the former Santa Fe station on San Joaquin St. The former SP station will be a multimodal station, funded by a county sales tax, and should be open in a year.

The city of Escalon, Cal., is suing Caltrans over plans to double track the BNSF main line between there and Stockton. Escalon is on the San Joaquin route, but is not an Amtrak stop. The city charges that the project, in which Caltrans is investing $60 million, will jeopardize the public by increasing train traffic. Caltrans says that the project won't increase traffic in itself -- traffic already is increasing -- but will reduce the amount of time that public crossings are blocked by trains waiting to pass each other.

Trains will run through Auburn, Wash., faster beginning November 4. Along a five-mile stretch of the BNSF main line between Seattle and Tacoma, passenger speeds (for Sounder and Amtrak) will rise from 40 mph to 79 mph in one section, and from 75 mph to 79 mph in another. Freight speeds also will increase to 50 mph. There has been a community outreach program to tell people that trains will be faster than in the past.

Tampa's historic streetcar line, the TECO line, opened October 19, on a 2.3-mile route from 8th Ave. & 20th St. in Ybor City to Channelside (convention center and Florida Aquarium), and Water & Franklin on the south edge of downtown. A future 0.6-mile extension north on Franklin to Whiting is planned. The daily service is managed by the non-profit Tampa Historic Streetcar, Inc., and run by the local transit agency, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. The first phase cost $32 million, from federal, state, and city sources. The opening follows an 18-year effort by the Tampa & Ybor City Street Railway Society to return streetcars to Tampa (where streetcar service had ended in 1946).

The November 5 elections have led to Republican control of the White House, House, and Senate for the first time in nearly 50 years (except, briefly, in 2001). The 107th Congress will return for a lame-duck session this month to finish work on appropriations bills (including for transportation), or to postpone such action to the next Congress with passage of a long-term continuing resolution. It's not known if control of the Senate will pass immediately to the Republicans; that depends on how the Independent Senator appointed from Minnesota to replace the late Paul Wellstone (D.), Dean Barkley, will vote, and how soon Missouri certifies the special election that allows Sen.-elect Jim Talent (R.) to take office. It's also not known what impact, in practical terms, such a shift would have on the lame-duck session.

When the 108th Congress convenes in January, however, a pressing issue will be committee assignments. The most sweeping changes will occur in the Senate, where long-time Amtrak critics will regain leadership positions they lost in 2001 -- John McCain (Ariz.) in the Commerce Committee and Richard Shelby (Ala.) in the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

However, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R.-Tex.) also sits on the Commerce Committee. She campaigned extensively with and for Sen.-elect John Cornyn (R.-Tex.) -- supporting Amtrak, the Texas Eagle, and Sunset Limited in the process. In fact, a headline on the November 3 Longview Journal was, "Cornyn, Hutchison stump for Amtrak."

Fervent highway supporter James Inhofe (Okla.) will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee, in a year when the TEA-21 surface transportation law is to be renewed. However, the greatest threat to mass transit may be the highway lobby's growing interest in non-federal, non-user-taxes (like sales taxes) that have been traditionally used for transit. This interest may grow as more people understand that federal highway funding will not increase further, and could actually decline, and that states face budget crises but are generally unwilling to raise gasoline taxes.

There were also several, non-national ballot initiatives. The Surface Transportation Policy Project analyzed all transportation votes this year, and concluded that the most common reason for defeat was having too much for roads and not enough for transit. STPP says half of 14 all-transit measures passed. Here are some highlights:

--In Miami-Dade County, Fla., voters approved by a wide margin a half-cent sales tax increase to greatly expand public transit (including rail) in the county. The tax will generate $150 million a year. Mayor Alex Penelas said, "This is huge for generations to come. Twenty years from now, this community will look a lot different. You will have Metrorail and Metrobus to every corner of Miami-Dade County, and even into Broward County." A first benefit began immediately, with the removal of fares from the downtown Metromover, and elimination of all bus and rail fares for those over 65. By next June, Metrorail (and 12 of its feeder bus lines) will begin 24-hour service. After defeat of a similar measure three years ago, pro-transit activists met extensively with mayors and other local officials to drum up support.

--In Washington State, voters rejected Referendum 51 by a wide margin. It would have raised the gas tax by 9 cents to help transportation projects statewide -- including improvements to the Amtrak Cascade Corridor -- but 95% of funding would have gone to roads.

--Also in Washington State is Initiative 776, which voters approved. It reduces motor vehicle registration fees (in four counties), but also cuts $700 million in local, voter-approved funding for transportation (including commuter rail).

--Seattle residents appeared to approve a $1.75-billion tax increase to extend the monorail from West Seattle to Ballard, 14 miles. A final result is awaiting a count of absentee ballots, which are running more negatively than the other ballots. State Democratic Party Chairman Paul Berendt said, "The popularity of the monorail is directly tied to the fact that it's a thorn in the side of a lot of so-called transportation experts and people just want to send a message that there's an easier, simpler way of doing things."

--In Hamilton County (Cincinnati), Ohio, voters rejected Issue 7, 68-32%, which would have created a half-cent sales tax to be used for a light-rail system and expansion of bus transit.

--In California, voters rejected Proposition 51, 59-34%, which would have diverted 30% of tax revenues on car sales and leases that now go to the general fund to the Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Bus Trust Fund. The proposition got a lot of bad press for the appearance that some earmarked projects would have benefited some supporters of the initiative. Some of the funding would have gone to various intercity and local passenger rail projects.

--Voters in three California counties -- Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco -- rejected Measure BB, a $1.05 billion bond measure for seismic upgrades to the BART system, and other improvements. Though it had the support of 64% of the voters, it required a two-thirds majority to pass.

--In Fresno, voters rejected an extension of the road-oriented Measure C tax. Fresno Bee columnist Bill McEwen wrote on November 7 that road building enthusiasts "haven't looked out a window or taken a deep breath in 20 years ... Say hello to ozone, dust and soot ... Next time, Measure C backers better have a mass-transit plan that is more than lip service."

--In Northern Virginia, voters rejected a half-cent, local sales tax, to raise money for transportation, 55-45%. Sixty percent of the revenues were to go to roads. A coalition of anti-tax and environmentalist/anti-sprawl interests opposed the measure, with the anti-sprawl side arguing that too much money would go to highways in exurban Washington. Virginia's gasoline tax, however, remains below the national average.

--In the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, voters rejected a one-cent, local sales tax to raise money for transportation (including transit), by a nearly 2-1 margin. As in Northern Virginia, there was widespread voter concern that the sales-tax money raised locally would not actually stay in the area.

Amtrak will move into the intermodal station at Everett, Wash., on November 12. Intercity and local buses began using it last February. Amtrak's move was delayed by extended negotiations between Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Sounder commuter rail agency over Sounder's access to the station. Sounder should start service to Everett next year.

We deeply regret reporting the death on November 1 of Patricia V. ("Pat") Robbins, at Madison, Wis. She was 81. Miss Robbins gave countless hours to the passenger-rail cause over many years, right up to last week. She was a director of NARP for Region 7 from 1987 to 1996, when her health caused her to cut back on her board-related travel. Miss Robbins also was a founding member of the Madison chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers, ProRail, along with Mike McCoy and Scott Leonard, in 1985. She served in a variety of leadership roles in ProRail and WisARP over the years, and was the long-time editor of ProRail's newsletter, "Keeping Track."

Miss Robbins was born in Cleveland and educated at Randolph Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, Va. (B.A.), and at Ohio State University in Columbus (Masters). She came to Madison in 1948 to work for the state Legislative Reference Bureau. She retired from the Bureau in 1987, having achieved a senior position, editing Wisconsin's official, annual, statistical index, the Blue Book.

Miss Robbins' main two passions were retention and expansion of nationwide passenger-rail service, and the return of passenger-rail service to Madison. Even after leaving the NARP board, she spent many long hours on the phone and at her typewriter tracking legislation, educating journalists and legislative staff, editing ProRail's newsletter, and organizing meetings. Miss Robbins' many friends in this movement in Wisconsin and elsewhere no doubt keenly regret that neither of her two principal goals was assured in her lifetime, though both remain, at times, tantalizingly within reach. When they do happen, it will be in great measure due to people like Pat Robbins.

The New York State DOT accepted the first rebuilt turbotrain yesterday, part of a set of seven being rebuilt for Empire Corridor use. It is not known when any of the trains, which have been undergoing a lengthy, $98.5-million rebuilding process by SuperSteel Schenectady, will be put into revenue service. Overnight tests on the accepted set were done November 6 from Albany to New York. In exchange for the rebuilding, Amtrak is supposed to perform track upgrades and rebuild the second track between Albany and Schenectady. Given Amtrak's financial situation, however, it's not clear when that can happen.

Amtrak service between Chicago and St. Louis was disrupted for part of November 4 and 5, as 200,000 bushels of corn was removed from an elevator at Chenoa, Ill. The elevator was structurally unsound and was seen leaning toward the tracks, so the action was taken to prevent a worse situation.

Caltrain reported to its Joint Powers Board last week that plans to electrify its San Jose-San Francisco main line will be delayed for funding reasons. A grant of $6 million from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (the local MPO) is on hold due to a lawsuit that freezes transportation expansion plans. Environmentalists have sued the Environmental Protection Agency, saying the MTC's transportation improvement plan doesn't do enough to improve air quality. The Caltrain electrification, which would improve air quality, thus gets swept up into the freeze, and must await resolution of the lawsuit.

SEPTA will shut down commuter-rail service at the throat of its system, between 30th St. and Suburban stations, most weekends between now and May 20. The reason is a major catenary renewal project. Service will continue on busy weekends like during the holidays and Flower Show.

Tennessee DOT will hold public meetings next week on its rail plan in three places -- Memphis (November 12), Nashville (November 13), Knoxville (November 14). See the DOT's web site for information on the meetings and on the plan. There is also information on how to submit written comments on the plan.

Caltrain released a draft environmental statement for extension of service from the current 4th & Townsend terminal to Transbay Terminal in downtown San Francisco, 1.3 miles. The cost would be $2 billion and involve some tunneling and totally rebuilding Transbay Terminal, which is in poor condition. Transbay offers many more transit links and is closer to the business district than the current location. Public hearings are scheduled next week in San Francisco and San Carlos.

The owners of the San Bernardino station -- the city and local MPO (San Bernardino Associated Governments) -- began a $14-million renovation project on October 24. It will take at least a year to complete. The Mission-style building dates from 1918.

Congress was back in Washington this week for a very brief, lame-duck session. Rather than attempting work on any of the remaining, unpassed appropriations bills for fiscal 2003, it looks like the 107th Congress will punt the issue to the new 108th Congress that was elected last week. The House approved another continuing resolution for programs covered by the incomplete appropriations bills (including Amtrak) that runs until January 11. The Senate was expected to do the same by today.

The continuing resolution funds Amtrak at an annual level (pro-rated) of $1.039 billion. That's less than the $1.2 billion Amtrak says it needs for the entire fiscal year, but more than the House figure ($762 million) or the Administration figure ($521 million).

Since January 11 is very soon after the new Congress arrives, and since January tends to get filled up with organizational matters and pro forma business, there's a good chance that there will be another continuing resolution at that point. Still, there is indication that Republican leadership -- the Congressional appropriations chairs and Administration budget officials -- are moving toward an omnibus appropriations bill for consideration in January. If that bill stays close to House committee levels, that would be bad news for passenger rail.

Amtrak funding came up during Senate discussion on November 14 of the conference report of the Maritime Transportation Safety Act. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) remarked that port security (properly) was being addressed, rail security was not. Biden has been a consistent advocate of rail security, particularly as regards the busy, but old, tunnels on the Northeast Corridor.

That led John McCain (R.-Ariz.), who will be Commerce chairman next year, to claim that a rail security bill did not pass this year because Biden "wanted to add on billions of dollars for all kinds of assistance to railroads," passenger-rail development funding that McCain called "pork." He then incorrectly claimed that Amtrak has gotten "about $20 billion to $30 billion in the last few years" and claimed that "we are still subsidizing rail routes to the tune of $200 to $300 per passenger." Of course, the reality is that "subsidy-per-passenger" is no valid measure of a train's financial performance, and, even so, such a "subsidy" range is not true of passenger rail in general. McCain also said the General Accounting Office could outline "the incredible subsidization of Amtrak which costs American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars per passenger," which, of course, is a mathematical impossibility.

McCain later clarified himself by pointing out that he supported S.1550 (Rail Security Act), but opposed S.1991 (National Defense Rail Act), which includes provisions from S.1550, "because it authorizes as much as $4 billion annually" for passenger rail in general. S.1550 was approved by the Commerce Committee on October 17, 2001, but never considered by the full Senate. McCain explained yesterday that "holds were put on" S.1550. Of the $1.767 billion authorized by S.1550, $100 million was funded in the 2002 defense appropriations bill.

Finally, McCain had some praise: "I am pleased with some of the actions that have been taken by the new regime over at Amtrak. The new chairman is doing a much better job in making some very tough decisions."

The Senate on November 14 confirmed the nomination of David M. Laney to the Amtrak Board of Directors, for a five-year term. Laney is a lawyer who chaired the Texas Transportation Commission for five years. His confirmation hearing was September 5 and was reported on in NARP's September newsletter. Also confirmed (with a hearing the same date as Laney's) was Roger P. Nober as one of three members of the Surface Transportation Board, through December 31, 2005.

Amtrak is restructuring its commission rate structure for travel agents, effective today. Amtrak is putting greater emphasis on commissions it pays for long-distance-train tickets, rather than on corridor trains. In fact, Amtrak will no longer be paying commission to travel agents for any corridor trains after today. Amtrak says that is due, in part, to the fact that corridor passengers are increasingly likely to buy their corridor tickets on-line, at machines, or from agents who charge a processing fee.

As regards long-distance tickets, Amtrak is increasing commissions for Amtrak Vacations packages from 10% to 12%, keeping commission on individual long-distance tickets at 8% (with no caps), keeping commission on group long-distance trips at 10% (with no caps), and increasing group discounts from 5% to 20% (effective November 13). Agents working through certain large firms that have pre-existing agreements with Amtrak (like AAA) still will earn commissions fixed in those agreements (including for corridor traffic).

Amtrak passengers starting a trip at stations that are never staffed, but who are using a reservation made three days or less ahead of time, now have more time to pick up their tickets. The hold limit for such reservations has been changed to the actual departure of the train, giving passengers more time to get tickets from travel agents or Amtrak agents in other locations. However, passengers planning to purchase their tickets on the train need to tell that to the reservations agent and ask for the reservation to be "protected," meaning, in effect, no hold limit at all. Otherwise, the reservation will be canceled automatically upon the train's departure. This change, effective November 13, is in response to NARP's longstanding complaint that Amtrak's current hold limits are too aggressive.

Thanksgiving soon will be upon us. Amtrak says it will add 50,000 seats to trains across the country, for the whole week of Tuesday, November 26 through Monday, December 2. Amtrak also encourages people to make reservations soon. Amtrak is increasing, for the week, reserved services. This includes more reserved trains on the Northeast Corridor; and all-reserved service on the Empire Corridor, Pacific Surfliner route, and Chicago-hub routes (except Chicago-Milwaukee Hiawathas). Amtrak also will add 58 trains during the week on the Northeast Corridor, and will add capacity on Chicago trains and West Coast trains. Amtrak recommends arriving at the station at least an hour before departure, especially on the two busiest days, Wednesday and Sunday (or avoid those two days, if possible).

Amtrak's western trains have a "free companion" offer that is available with a coupon (being distributed through "various outlets"). The offer allows a free companion coach fare with the purchase of a regular senior or disabled rail fare, for the Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited. Up to two children (age 2-15) can accompany each adult (paying one-half the regular adult fare). Reservations and travel must occur by May 3, with holiday black-out periods. Reservations must be made at least three days before travel.

Work began on a new Amtrak maintenance facility in West Oakland, Cal., on November 14. The $65-million project is being funded by Amtrak and Caltrans, and will be used to service Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains, and the California Zephyr, in two years. That will let Amtrak move out of a part of a Union Pacific yard, and end the practice of sending some locomotives to Los Angeles for maintenance.

To accommodate a Union Pacific track project, some Amtrak service will be replaced by a bus between Kansas City and Jefferson City, Mo., temporarily. Eastbound train 304 and westbound train 301 are affected during two periods -- November 16-21, and December 1-8. Trains 303 and 306 are not affected.

A local sales tax for transit was extended by voters in Riverside County, Cal., on November 5. Among other things, it will allow a Metrolink commuter-rail extension from Riverside to Perris.

A rally at Steamtown in Scranton, in support of Scranton-New York rail service, on November 8 included Sen. Arlen Specter (R.-Pa.), Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D.-Pa.), Rep. Don Sherwood (R.-Pa.), and some Pennsylvania state legislators and local officials. Specter said that during 2003, he would lobby for federal approval of the last $3 million needed to complete preliminary engineering (with $2.3 million already in place). Total project cost is now about $200 million, much of it to replace track abandoned in New Jersey in the 1970's. The officials also hoped for inclusion of the project in TEA-21 renewal next year.

The 107th Congress ended with the Senate's approval of a homeland security bill a week ago. Sen. Tom Carper (D.-Del.) attempted to add a provision to the bill that would have authorized $1.2 billion in Amtrak security items, but this was blocked. Carper made a floor statement on November 19 critical of the fact that Congress has taken action on security for all modes of transportation except rail. His statement included the following:

"How can we ignore the FBI warnings made a few weeks ago that al-Qaida is considering directly targeting U.S. passenger trains and that operatives may try to destroy key rail bridges and sections of track to cause derailments? How could the Senate have voted to appropriate $2 million to remove jars of formaldehyde and alcohol from the Smithsonian's buildings here on the Mall because of their threat to the Capitol and yet leave the rail tunnel traveling under the Senate and House buildings and the Supreme Court unprotected from terrorist attack? How can we end the 107th Congress having approved increased and strengthened security programs for every single transportation mode except rail, a mode we know that al-Qaida may currently be targeting?"

Carper also pointed out that there are more people using New York Penn Station on any day than all three New York-area airports put together. Yet no other Senator rose to answer Carper's questions.

Amtrak filed a suit against Bombardier and Alstom, who make up the Canadian-French consortium that built the Acela Express train sets and the HHP-8 electric locomotives, on November 20. That was the last day Amtrak could exercise its option for a countersuit against the one filed by Bombardier in November 2001. A motion by Amtrak to have the Bombardier suit dismissed was rejected by a federal judge in September, and Amtrak is appealing that decision. Amtrak is looking for over $200 million in damages arising from late delivery of the trains and failing to meet performance targets.

Bombardier, in its $200-million suit, claimed that Amtrak did not prepare the Northeast Corridor for high-speed service and made excessive modification requests. Bombardier spokeswoman Carol Sharpe called Amtrak's latest action "a necessary step toward resolution of the dispute." She said Bombardier remains "hopeful we'll come to a settlement" before the suit goes to trial, and that talks between Amtrak and the consortium are continuing.

Amtrak is now one of many companies selling products (or tickets, in this case) on the internet auction site, eBay. Some deals on coach tickets can be had, but it may be worthwhile for visitors to the eBay site to check Amtrak's own Rail Sale site as well. See the eBay site for details.

A Union Pacific derailment between Alpine and El Paso, Tex., on November 16 disrupted Sunset Limited service. Amtrak had to turn one train set at each place, and transfer passengers between the two places by bus. Amtrak President David Gunn was on the eastbound train, including on the substitute bus.

A restored Selma, N.C., station reopened with a celebration on November 19. The station was restored to its original, 1924 appearance for $2.7 million, using a mix of federal, state, and local funds. The town has owned the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, since 1978. Selma is a stop for Amtrak's Carolinian. The Palmetto and Silver Star pass through without stopping, though local officials hope a stop can be added for one of those trains, now that the station is complete. There is also optimism over a proposed commuter-rail line to Raleigh, which would stop at Selma. Though Selma, with 6,000 residents, is a small town, it's only three miles from Smithfield (7,500) and 20 miles from Goldsboro (41,000).

Amtrak and Pennsylvania DOT officials met November 19 to discuss the condition of a bridge over Amtrak's Keystone line immediately west of the Lancaster station. The Fruitville Pike (State Route 72) bridge was closed to traffic suddenly on November 12, after inspectors found that cracks in a support pier had widened. The pier stands between some of the tracks, and Amtrak engineers are concerned about running passenger trains under the bridge. The engineers said if the bridge deteriorates any further, it would have to suspend service west of Lancaster, but state engineers would not provide a guarantee that the bridge is safe, or an evaluation of what the immediate risk is. Current train speed under the bridge is 20-25 mph. The state is considering a temporary bridge that could open in March.

New York State Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman wrote to Amtrak Chairman John Robert Smith to complain that Amtrak is not accepting state-funded, rebuilt turbotrains fast enough, that Amtrak is not making capital investments within the state that Amtrak committed to in exchange for the turbotrains, and that Amtrak is asking states to pay more for their intrastate service. Amtrak has a list of 54 items that need to be fixed on the turbotrains before it will accept them, including cracked panels, rusted screws and doors, and bubbled paint.

The South Carolina Transportation Commission increased funding for developing high-speed rail from $2.6 million to $4.6 million, in a meeting in Columbia on November 21. While that trails other states in the region, it's a welcome step. The state hopes to tie into ongoing efforts by Virginia and North Carolina.

The Indiana Department of Transportation, the Ohio Railroad Development Commission, and Amtrak on November 21 released a study saying that the proposed Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland high-speed rail route should run via Fort Wayne, and not on the current route through South Bend. The overall corridor is both part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative and a federally designated high-speed corridor. The announcement came at a news conference at the Baker Street Station in Fort Wayne, last used by Amtrak in 1990. Some form of Chicago-South Bend service would be retained and enhanced (presumably in addition to the South Shore commuter service).

A new Thruway bus service begins December 2, connecting Amtrak with San Joaquin trains at Modesto, to and from Oakdale and Sonora, Cal.

Metrolink's Ventura County line was extended five miles, from Oxnard to a new station in Montalvo, Cal., November 11. Two round-trips a day now serve Montalvo, which is adjacent to a yard Metrolink uses to store trains overnight. A future extension, another five miles west to Ventura, is being planned. Ventura already has Amtrak service, which Metrolink passholders can use under the "Rail 2 Rail" program.

DART's Blue light-rail line was extended November 18 from the LBJ/Skillman station (which opened May 6) northeast into Garland, Tex. (4.6 miles). Two new stations in Garland are now open -- Forest/Jupiter and Downtown Garland (on Walnut between 4th and 5th). The Dallas system will expand again on December 9, when the Red Line is extended north from Galatyn Park in Richardson to Parker Road in Plano.

Connecticut's Transportation Strategy Board is looking into commuter-rail service on Amtrak's New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line, according to a November 19 wire story. The board held a meeting that day to discuss preliminary ideas, but must submit its recommendations on a ten-year transportation plan to the governor by December 15. An expansion of commuter-rail service would also have to include provision for more rolling stock, more parking facilities, and capacity improvements on the line, most of which Amtrak single-tracked years ago. Improvements to existing Metro-North commuter service are also being considered, along with and expansion of Shore Line East service during a major bridge replacement project on I-95 scheduled to last from 2004 to 2010.

Officials of the Sonoma-Marin Rail Transit District (SMART) toured most of the route of a proposed 70-mile commuter-rail line on November 19. The group traveled in hi-rail vehicles from San Rafael, through Petaluma and Santa Rose, to Cloverdale, Cal., along the former Northwestern Pacific Railroad. A hood-mounted video camera recorded the trip, as part of collecting data for an environmental review. SMART may try to get a tax measure on the ballot in 2004 in order to start service in 2007. Public meetings were held in several communities during November.

Charlotte's Metropolitan Transit Commission approved a plan for building light rail in the northeast and south corridors, commuter rail in the north corridor, and a central streetcar line, but deferred a decision on the east and west corridors until 2005. Until then, ongoing transit studies will look at both light rail and busways on the east and west (airport) corridors with the understanding that one or the other will be picked later. That is a victory for community activists in eastern and western neighborhoods who favor rail over bus, and were upset that bus was selected for their corridors earlier this year. Charlotte's mayor (a member of the commission) and the transit agency both still favor busways there.

Colorado Railcar's new diesel-multiple-unit will be on display tomorrow at the MAX light-rail station in Beaverton, Ore. The new car, or something like it, could be considered for a proposed Wilsonville-Beaverton commuter line. The car is on tour and also recently visited Chicago, Madison, and St. Paul.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has eliminated one of three bidders for its commuter-rail contract. Bay State Transit Services, Inc., which is backed by Stagecoach Group (of Britain) and Herzog Transit Services, was pushed out for not including insurance costs in its bid, according to the Boston Globe. Bay State had previously won a maintenance contract in 1998, but that was reversed over allegations of union-busting. The remaining bidders are Guilford (which lost the contract to Amtrak in 1986) and the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Corp. (led in part by Connex of France and Bombardier of Canada). Amtrak decided not to compete, citing numerous, new MBTA requirements that make the contract costlier and that limit the contractor's ability to make its own personnel decisions.

Best-selling author David Baldacci rode today's westbound Capitol Limited from Washington to Pittsburgh this afternoon, with a BBC radio reporter, to help promote his new book, The Christmas Train. Much of the book takes place on a cross-country train trip. Baldacci also did a "Live on Acela Express" book signing earlier this month. Amtrak is partnering with the publisher (AOL/Time Warner) and WalMart to promote the book.

From Tuesday, November 26, to Monday, December 2, all trains on the Northeast Corridor [except Keystone and Clocker trains], Empire Corridor, Pacific Surfliner route, and Chicago-hub routes (except Milwaukee trains) will be all-reserved. Amtrak advises passengers to arrive one hour before scheduled times. Amtrak expects today and Sunday, December 1, to be the busiest days, and says there will be 58 extra Northeast Corridor trains this week.

Amtrak is extending its "late fall" offer of 30% off regular adult fares (35% if purchased on-line). Purchase by December 13 for travel through February 28. The offer is not good on Acela Express and Metroliner services; and cannot be combined with other discounts (e.g., AAA, NARP, etc.).

Amtrak announced a Buy Two, Get One Free offer on Acela Express and Metroliner services for passengers enrolled in Amtrak's Guest Rewards program. Guest Rewards members will earn a free round trip to any Acela Express/Metroliner destination when they take two qualifying round trips (four one-way tickets) between Boston, New York, and Washington. For every two round trips, Amtrak will provide members with a free, same-class travel certificate good April 22 - August 28, 2003. All certificates are transferable to friends or family members, but qualifying travel must occur before February 28, 2003. There is no limit to the number of redeemable certificates.

MSNBC today has 20 letters on Amtrak, 13 of them positive. One says Amtrak's web Rail Sale discounts can have better deals than the broad 30/35% discount. Two of the negative letters complained about fares -- in one case the web site offered a La Crosse, Wis. - Salt Lake City trip via Portland and Sacramento. Today's Detroit Free Press has a "local comment" column based on a good San Diego - Los Angeles trip. Writer Julie Candler raves about being able to show up five minutes before departure, and finding "no need to sardine ourselves into a coach seat ... on which overweight passengers ooze over into adjoining seats."

The U.S. is in the Stone Age when it comes to airline/intercity passenger rail links. Newark is the only major airport that qualifies. Harrisburg is under construction, but Providence remains in doubt. Rhode Island's General Assembly has denied Gov. Lincoln Almond (R.) authority to sell bonds for the planned $168 million transportation center, so Almond is squaring off in court against a lawyer for six airport car-rental companies who oppose Almond's plans to sell bonds anyway. Almond has asked the state's Supreme Court to approve his plan, so project bonds will get an investment-grade rating, according to today's Providence Journal. Meanwhile, plans to provide a fixed-guideway rail/airport link at BWI are on indefinite hold.

The $1.9-billion Air Train to link Kennedy Airport to New York subways remains indefinitely postponed, after a September derailment in which a test operator was killed. Meanwhile, Newark International Airport has gained a real competitive edge over other area airports. Jonathan Bowles, who recently completed a study for the Center for Urban Future, said, "Kennedy's been losing business to Newark because it's just not accessible ... [New Yorkers] perceive Kennedy as a nightmare to get to and they're right."

States face "the worst fiscal problems since World War II," the New York Times said November 26 in reporting a new National Governors Association report. Tax revenues are down an average 6.3% in the fiscal year that ended June 30, with Oregon, California, and New York among the hardest hit. Against this unfriendly backdrop, Amtrak is seeking increased payments from states, to cover 100% of direct and variable train and route costs (but not interest and depreciation) of all short-distance services. (The New York-Toronto Maple Leaf evidently is not in this category).

Today's New York Times reports on a continuing dispute between Amtrak and New York over Amtrak's policy direction -- and Amtrak's refusal thus far to accept the turbo trains that were rebuilt with state funds. [This was also mentioned in last week's hotline.] New York State Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman released his November 18 letter to Amtrak that says it is unrealistic to require states to fund both operating losses and a significant portion of capital costs that have historically been a federal responsibility. Boardman wrote that New York provided $22.3 million for Amtrak operations in 2002, yet Amtrak has not followed through on commitments to improve infrastructure in the state, including the Empire Corridor, fire-safety improvements in the Penn Station tunnels, and the Farley Building.

Things are not much better in Michigan, where Amtrak on January 5 will close ticket offices in East Lansing, Flint, and Port Huron and use a food cart on the Grand Rapids train. Passengers will be able to purchase tickets on board. The cutbacks result because the state appropriated $5.7 million, whereas Amtrak sought $7.9 million to run the International and Pere Marquette in fiscal 2003. Michigan expects to sign a $2.85 million, six-month contract (half of the appropriated $5.7 million), leaving the fate of the services after March 31, 2003 (halfway through the state's fiscal year), up to the new governor.

As reported here last week, Connecticut's Transportation Strategy Board is considering a proposal to spend $248 million over the next few years on 12 electric locomotives and 40 coaches for the New Haven Line and eight locomotives and 24 coaches for Shore Line East. Over the next 20 years, the board is considering recommending $3 billion in passenger rail improvements, including the introduction of a New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail line. However, Connecticut, like most states, is facing its worst budget crisis in more than a decade; in the immediate term, lawmakers must overcome a projected two-year budget gap of $1.5 billion.

The Florida High Speed Rail Authority released two independent studies, which concluded that passenger revenues would cover the operation and maintenance of the service between Tampa and Orlando. C. C. "Doc" Dockery, who championed the constitutional amendment mandating that Florida begin construction of a high-speed rail line by 2003, stated, "The study shows we have a very, very viable project between Tampa and Orlando." The study estimates passenger revenue would generate $26-33 million annually. Funding for construction and purchase of trains, nonetheless, remains the primary hurdle to the project.

Caltrans has approved $130,000 toward the development of a new train station in Madera, Cal., which would be located on the southwest corner of the Madera Country Club. To complete the project, Caltrans must allocate the balance of the $670,000 in the 2002-03 fiscal year.

The Texas Association of Railroad Passengers released its new logo for the Caprock Xpress route, which run from Fort Worth to Abilene, Lubbock, Amarillo, and Denver.