Hotline #828 - June 3, 1994

The DOT appropriations bill approved by the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, according to what we have heard, has an anti-environmental provision that kills DOT funds to implement and enforce the Clean Air Act's conformity requirement that an area's transportation program contribute annual reductions in certain air pollutants. The full committee is expected to consider this bill on June 9. In late June, Senate Commerce likely will mark up its Amtrak authorization bill.  Also in late June, both Senate Appropriations subcommittee and full committee action is likely.  There is no date for action by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. Key issues are higher operating levels for Amtrak and -- for Commerce committees -- a better 403(b) compromise, which depends on states doing a better job of getting their views to key committee members.

New York-Toronto overnight service starts June 17. The westbound schedule is as published, but the eastbound train leaves Buffalo Exchange at 10:45 pm; arriving New York at 6:55 am. VIA Rail could not adjust its Toronto departure. Rooms sell at slumbercoach rates due to there being no hot meals. Coaches are 84-seaters. Also, please note that New York's Metropolitan Lounges closes an hour before the westbound train leaves.

A strike against Canadian railroads seems likely before September, as management seeks to become more competitive with trucks and U.S. railroads. The Journal of Commerce said Canadian rail labor productivity is 60% of the level on major U.S. railroads. After eight years of service, workers are guaranteed full salary until they retire or get another job.

A UTU strike against the Long Island Rail Road June 16 is likely and could last a while. UTU-Long Island General Chairman Eddie Yule has pledged to the Clinton Administration that this strike will have no impact on the operation of Amtrak or any other railroad.

The FRA has identified 18 freight train accidents attributed to faulty loading of cargo, the cause suspected in the May 16 Silver Meteor wreck. The FRA said it would conduct a review of loading practices to see if regulations are needed. The FRA today began a negotiated rulemaking regarding protection of track and signal workers, the issue that sparked a wildcat strike against Conrail on May 20.

Efforts to design high-tech grade-crossing protection for high-speed rail were the topic of a front-page story in the May 31 Wall Street Journal. The same issue had a story by Dan Machalaba, "Railroads Face Unfamiliar Problem: Too Little Capacity; After Years of Cuts, Demand and Spending are Rising -- Rates May Follow." The article says railroads may be able to raise rates and still gain business because "truckers are raising rates faster."

For the first time in 20 years Amtrak is changing auditors, moving from Arthur Anderson to Price Waterhouse, which gets a three-year contract with options for two one-year renewals.

Price Waterhouse, coincidentally, authored an Illinois DOT study claiming that 125-mph Chicago-St. Louis service can be had without state funds. A May 27 DOT release says the firm identifies options for financing and operating passenger-rail service comparable to some European rail systems. Track and signal capital costs range from $310 million for Amtrak's existing route to $388 million for a route via Peotone to serve a controversial, proposed airport there.

The New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers is starting today a weekly hotline on rail-related news within the state. The number is 201/963-8979.

The first through-freight passed through the Channel Tunnel on June 1 with a shipment of Rover automobiles from England's West Midlands to Milan, Italy. Limited shuttle service carrying trucks began May 19. Next month is full shuttle service and possibly a limited London-Paris passenger train.

Two extensions of the Miami MetroMover opened May 25 -- one north to Omni and the other south to Brickell Ave.