Hotline #180 - March 2, 2001

The Bush Administration released its "budget blueprint" for fiscal 2002 on February 28. For Amtrak, $521 million is proposed. While that is the same level as this year, the good news is that it is proposed to be "scored" for budget purposes at 100%. That means Amtrak would get all the money at once, not spread out over more than one year. For example, in recent years, Amtrak's 40% "scoring" has meant it gets 40% of a year's funding in the first year, and the other 60% the following year. Thus, under the Bush proposal, Amtrak in 2002 would get 60% of its 2001 funding ($313 million) plus 100% of its 2002 funding ($521 million), implying a total of $834 million in resources made available in 2002.

This is good, but for now just a proposal. Amtrak critics in Congress could still try to erode this. Tell your legislators, President Bush, and Secretary Mineta you support the Amtrak figure released today. Click here for ways to reach them. Also tell them you support the High Speed Rail Investment Act, which Congress will consider separately. The two items together are important steps toward getting passenger rail back to a "state of good repair" and expanding it.
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The High Speed Rail Investment Act co-sponsor count still stands at 51. Possible recruits include Carnahan (D.-Mo.), Harkin (D.-Ia.), and Reed (D.-R.I.). Click here for ways to contact them.

The Cascades Corridor was disrupted on February 28 by a 6.8-magnitude earthquake centered near Olympia, Wash. The northbound Coast Starlight was annulled at Eugene to be turned back the next day and the westbound Empire Builder was annulled at Spokane; both got substitute buses. Burlington Northern Santa Fe inspected its tracks for 260 miles in each direction and had lines open by the afternoon of March 1. King Street Station is very close to the most damaged part of Seattle, but has been inspected and reopened.

Acela Express service expands March 5, and the Northeast Corridor gets a new schedule. In addition to the single Washington-Boston weekday round trip that began December 11, Amtrak will start a new Washington-New York weekday round trip and a Boston-New York weekday round trip. Both will offer full business days in New York. The Washington run will be non-stop, leaving Washington 6:50 am and New York at 3:50 pm with a running time of 2:28 -- the fastest schedule ever. Previously, Metroliners were scheduled to make that trip in 2:30 for brief periods around 1970 and 1991. Metroliners will continue to follow the new non-stop Acela Express at 7:00 am and 4:00 pm to serve intermediate stations.

The other new round trip will leave Boston at 6:12 am and New York at 6:00 pm, stopping at Back Bay, Route 128, Providence, and New Haven. Also after March 5, Amtrak will add more Metroliner service on weekends. More Acela Express trips are expected to be added when the general timetable change takes place April 30. Acela Express on-time performance was over 97% between January 8 and February 21.

Speed trials were quietly held February 15-16 using a refurbished Turboliner, according to New York state officials. Amtrak and New York State DOT ran tests during the night on CSX track between Albany and Hudson reaching speeds of 125 mph. The train is one of seven being refurbished and could enter regular service on the Empire Corridor about two months from now. The Albany Times Union said Gov. George Pataki (R.) was "pleased" with the test and with progress on the $200 million high-speed rail project. "High-speed train travel is coming to New York State, which will help promote economic development and enhance travel options across the state," he said on February 23.

St. Louis city officials reported February 27 that they were "on the verge" of reaching a 20-year lease agreement with Amtrak that would allow development of a new, intermodal terminal to go forward. This would replace and be on the site of the "temporary" trailers Amtrak has inhabited since 1978, when it evacuated a seriously deteriorating Union Station. The new station will cost $29 million and will include MetroLink light rail, Bi-State local buses, and Greyhound intercity buses.

It appears that the Reno Amtrak station will be spared, as that city prepares for an over $200-million project to depress the busy Union Pacific main line through the downtown area. The two-mile trench will replace 11 street crossings. Temporary tracks will be laid on Commercial Row while the trench is dug. Ultimately, Amtrak will occupy a new addition to the ex-Southern Pacific station, built in 1926, with access to a below-grade platform via elevator and stairs.

The New Mexico legislature is on the path to approving an Albuquerque-El Paso passenger-train demonstration project. Senate Bill 92 has passed three Senate committees. It would provide $300,000, of which about $200,000 would be for engineering, economic and safety analyses, and the rest for a test operation lasting three days.

Prospects for continuing planning for a proposed Lansing-Detroit commuter rail service are looking up now that five of the six communities that were asked to contribute money for the last phase of a feasibility study have paid their $20,000 share, or have committed to. The effort is being led by the Capital Area Transportation Authority of Lansing.

Amtrak added more Northeast Corridor "Quiet cars" yesterday. As explained in our February newsletter, NortheastDirect train 151, Acela Regional train 170, and Metroliners 106 and 107 already have cars designated as free from cell-phone conversation and computer noises. Now the 1:00 pm Metroliners (trains 114 and 115) also have them. Amtrak will consider adding more as demand warrants.

Amtrak is offering its spring "1-2-FREE" fare. It allows one full-fare passenger to be accompanied by a second passenger at half-fare, and a third (if any) for free. Good for travel from March 11 to June 15 (buy tickets by May 12), blocked around Easter and Memorial Day, not good on Auto Train, Acela Express, Metroliner, Friday/Sunday peak NortheastDirect, or in Ontario.