Hotline #720 - August 19, 2011

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Written by Sean Jeans Gail
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Hotline #720
August 19, 2011

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Canadian Minister for Public Safety Vic Toews announced on August 16th that an agreement has been reached between the U.S. and Canadian officials to keep a second daily Amtrak train running between Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.

WSDOTThe second daily train began in 2009 as part of Vancouver’s hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Due to the success of the second train, Washington State’s Department of Transportation (WSDOT) decided to extend the service on a pilot program basis.  And while Washington State contributes $1.6 million a year to offset Amtrak’s cost in operating the second train, Canadian officials have been balking at paying the cost of extended border security—the second train arrives in Vancouver at 10:50 pm, necessitating an extension of customs agent hours of duty.  In fact, the additional costs threatened to derail the train shortly after the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, with Canadian officials insisting Amtrak or WSDOT pay $1,500 per day for additional Canadian Border Services Agency inspections, a demand which neither party was willing to accede to.
However, with big ridership bringing cross border tourism to both Washington State and British Columbia there was significant political pressure to come to an agreement that would allow the second daily train to continue.  The second train carried 233,325 passengers between July 2010 and June 30, 2011.  Over 28,000 of those passengers crossed the border from the U.S. into Canada, and WSDOT’s marketing manager Laura Kingman estimates that between September 2009 and August 2010, the second train brought in $8.6 million in additional economic activity to British Columbia. While the details of the agreement haven’t been made public, a deal has been reached.
“Upon careful review of the business case and despite some significant financial constraints, the Canada Border Services Agency has decided that it will continue to provide publicly funded border clearance service to Amtrak’s second daily train” said Toews.
California’s Governor Jerry Brown (D) has ended his public silence about the state’s ambitious Los Angeles to San Francisco high-speed rail project, saying work on the train should go forward in the face of mounting criticism from opponents, many who think the project is too ambitious for the current budgetary climate.

“[The nation is in a] period of massive retrenchment… I would like to be part of the group that gets America to think big again” the Governor told the editorial board of the Sacramento Bee.  “[I’m] working directly with the authority to get their act together; I'm doing the best I can to keep this train running."
Criticism has been slowly building as the project begins to near construction.  The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CAHSR) released a Draft Project Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/EIP) for the Merced-Fresno segment last week (see NARP Hotline #719).
Governor Brown’s support will be critical in moving the project forward.  And with CAHSR expected to issue a Request for Qualifications in September to begin $6.3 billion worth of work on the segment from Merced to Bakersfield is expected to be issued by early September, tens of thousands of new jobs could be on the line.
Additionally, CAHSR’s Draft EIS succinctly states the cost of not building the Los Angeles-San Francisco line—something that the project’s critics have repeatedly failed to address:
Statewide, over the next two decades, California’s [high-speed transit] system would alleviate the need to spend more than $100 billion to build 3,000 miles of new freeway, 5 airport runways, and 90 departure gates to meet the transportation needs of a growing population. In fact, the San Joaquin Valley is projected to grow at a rate higher than any other region in California. Four counties – Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern – are projected to grow by 72% by year 2035.
Transit ridership is steadily rising throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the San Jose Mercury-News reported Friday, August 12.  This despite the fact that the region’s unemployment rate remains high.
Caltrain, the San Jose-San Francisco commuter line, saw patronage grow almost 12 percent over the past year, while the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail network’s ridership grew almost 8 percent. Over the same period, ridership on the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s light-rail trains and buses in San Jose rose more than 7 percent, and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) patronage grew more than 14 percent.
Only two transit agencies in the region reported ridership decreases, which they both blamed on service cuts they were forced to make.
The executive director of TransForm, an Oakland-based transportation advocacy group, said gas prices averaging $4.32 per gallon were the main reason for the upticks. Higher bridge tolls and parking fees are also factors, he said.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) says a person in San Francisco could save nearly $1,100 a month by taking transit instead of driving.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) this week issued a draft version of its blueprint for the state’s Rail Plan, the full draft of which is due out in November.  The final plan will be integrated into CDOT’s Long-Range Multi-Modal Plan.
The draft blueprint, which will guide the state’s rail investments for the next few decades and will allow Colorado to apply for federal grants to improve passenger train service, calls for expanding rail infrastructure and services to “provide increased transportation capacity, cost effectiveness, accessibility and intermodal connectivity to meet freight and passenger market demands through investments that include public-private partnerships,” CDOT officials said.
An upgraded rail system would “contribute to a balanced transportation network, coordinated land-use planning, economic growth, a better environment and energy efficiency,” CDOT said.<br /><br><br /><b>Reports broke today that Caltrain has chosen TransitAmerica as the next operator of its commuter rail service between San Jose and San Francisco, ending a 20 year partnership with Amtrak.
The five-year, $62.5 million agreement with Missouri-based TransitAmerica will have to be approved by Caltrain’s board during its next meeting held on September 1.  Should the board approve the deal, a five month transition process will take place where Amtrak will hand over operations in phases.
Amtrak expressed disappointment, while affirming the strength of the Peninsula Corridor Rail Services proposal put forth by the company in partnership with Canadian train manufacturer Bombardier.
“Since [1992], our employees have contributed to major projects that have brought about transformational changes, including significantly expanding track and signal capacity, and service expansions” said Amtrak President Joseph Boardman in a missive to employees.  “I thank all of the employees dedicated to Caltrain service for helping the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) achieve its goals and for serving the people of that region so well for so many years.”
“Amtrak is disappointed in the decision and believe we offered Caltrain a strong proposal as part of our Peninsula Corridor Rail Services joint venture with Bombardier" said Amtrak in a statement.  "Amtrak appreciates the opportunity we have had to partner with Caltrain and serve its passengers for many years.  We wish Caltrain a bright future and will work with them and the new contractor on a smooth transition.”
A new study finds that major transportation investments, mainly expanding the rail transit network, in the greater Toronto and Hamilton, Ontario areas will create jobs and generate economic growth during construction over the next decade.
The Conference Board of Canada released the study Wednesday, which says that transportation improvements will also provide broader benefits that contribute to a competitive and productive economy. It is funded by Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario created in 2006 to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of travel in the greater Toronto area. Metrolinx operates GO Transit, the regional commuter rail and bus system.
Metrolinx’s plan calls for CAD $19 billion in real capital investment through 2020, which is anticipated to generate CAD $1.19 in real GDP growth for every dollar spent.
A Reuters story published in several US news outlets this week highlights examples of decaying US infrastructure with a noticeable negative impact on economic activity.
The article mainly covers highway deficiencies, but also mentions freight rail and ports.
Reuters reports that the 2011-2012 World Economic Forum’s ranking of countries based on the quality of their infrastructure will put the United States at number 16, just behind South Korea.  The percentage of GDP that the U.S. spends on infrastructure  -- 2 percent -- is half what it was in 1960.  Europe spends 5 percent and China 9 percent, according to a US government report.  The report notes the lack of appetite amongst Congressional appropriators for increased highway and rail spending.
Amtrak announced yesterday that it has completed work on an upgraded passenger train maintenance facility in Los Angeles.  The modern facility will improve safety, increase capacity and efficiency, and reduce the environmental impact of the work being done to keep Amtrak and California-owned equipment running.
Kemp Bros
“By providing our mechanical forces with an updated workplace, the service, inspection and maintenance functions will be done more efficiently, “ said Amtrak Master Mechanic (West Coast) Richard Olson. “Our employees, passengers and state partners will all benefit from it.”
The $24.5 million upgrade—funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act— incorporates Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards into its design.  Amtrak’s press release reveals that the LEED features include environmentally sustainable construction, such as “high bay florescent lighting with photocell sensors, large ceiling fans for air circulation, sun lights, and point-of-use instant hot water in lieu of water heaters.”  A brand new in-floor jacking system will allow workers to more efficiently lift rail cars to replace wheel assemblies, and new structure covers areas that were previously exposed to the outdoors.
The shop will perform safety inspections, regular servicing, and maintenance of passenger rail cars used on Amtrak long-distance routes—Coast Starlight, Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited—and a California supported corridor service—Pacific Surfliner.
New Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules took effect Monday adjusting the number of days off train conductors and engineers are mandated to be given, for the first time differentiating between passenger and freight train crews.
The new rules apply to crews on all Amtrak, commuter and tourist/excursion trains that are subject to FRA oversight.
The move comes in response to new scientific analysis finding that people who work at night are more prone to fatigue. The days-off requirements depend on what hours an employee works. For example, a passenger train engineer with a regular schedule that puts him or her off-duty between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. every day can work 14 consecutive days before the law mandates he or she be given two consecutive days off. But an engineer who works six consecutive days, with at least one of them including duty between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., must get at least 24 hours off.
These rules are less restrictive than those applying to freight train crews, accounting for the fact that passenger train crews’ work schedules are generally more predictable. The new rules should result in safer operations and some cost savings for passenger train operators.
The new regulation can be read in full, here.
A planned new commuter rail line connecting Montreal with the suburbs of Repetigny, Terrebonne and Mascouche is now on hold and may be discontinued entirely, reports Trains Magazine.
Work began in 2006 on the project to extend the Agence Metropolitaine de Transport (AMT) commuter rail network. The cost was initially estimated at CAD $300 million, but the latest estimate is CAD $665 million. AMT already ordered new dual-mode (diesel and catenary electric) locomotives from Siemens for the service, in conjunction with New Jersey Transit.
The provincial government of Quebec has ordered Infrastructure Quebec to study the project and issue a report, due in December, on whether it should go forward. In the interim, AMT won’t be able to award any new contracts for work on the line.
US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) reiterated on Saturday his determination to see the planned DesertXpress high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Victorville, CA built, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Reid denounced “ravenous cuts” that left the High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail grant program without any new funds in the current fiscal year. He expressed confidence that construction on DesertXpress would begin next year, creating 80,000 new jobs. "I will do everything I can to make [DesertXpress] successful," he said.

The bulk of the financing for DesertXpress would come from private investors who make up the corporation that would build and operate the new 220-mph railroad. Many of these investors are major Las Vegas real estate developers.

The Review-Journal notes that DesertXpress may not be as successful as it could be if California’s Los Angeles-San Francisco high-speed rail line isn’t built through Palmdale, CA. If CAHSR reaches Palmdale, DesertXpress plans to extend its line to connect with CAHSR. 

CAHSR continues to be mired in controversy over its high cost and the wisdom of building the first segment in the less-populated Central Valley. NARP is actively defending the CAHSR project against the rising tide of criticism.

The Iraqi government has signed a memorandum of understanding with French passenger train manufacturer Alstom to bring high-speed rail to the country.

The proposed line would connect Basra and Baghdad—a 280-mile corridor—with trains reaching top speeds of 155 mph.  French Transportation Minister Thierry Mariani will visit Iraq in the fall to hammer out the details of the agreement.
Travelers’ Advisory
Wolverine Service: Buses will substitute for trains 350 (7:30 AM eastbound Chicago departure) and 353 (10:40 AM westbound Pontiac departure) between Jackson and Pontiac Mondays through Thursdays through September 8th. The two other Wolverine round-trips will operate normally.
The substitution is to allow track owner Norfolk Southern to perform trackwork on a portion of the route that has witnessed chronic speed restrictions and delays after maintenance was downgraded owing to very limited freight service. The work should result in noticeable improvements to Wolverine trains’ on-time performance. The State of Michigan is seeking to buy the line between Kalamazoo and Detroit from Norfolk Southern.
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