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Dec 10, 1970.
AMTRAK DINING CAR PRICES RISING Trains 21, 22, 58, 59, 421 and 422 now have a different menu than the rest of the long-distance trains. These trains use preplated meals prepared off the train and the prices appear substantially higher than rail travelers are accustomed to paying. This change is no doubt part of the DOT effort to increase Amtrak income, but could have the effect of reducing train patronage. On one of the two rotating menus, breakfast items consist of three choices with meat, each priced at $10, and one cereal choice at $6.75. At lunch, a cheeseburger is $7, a sandwich (type varies) is $7.25, barbecue chicken with potato wedges, corn and salad is $12, and soup (minestrone or chicken noodle) is $4. At dinner, a beef entree (braised or tenderloin) is $18; a chicken entree is $17.50; cod fillets are $16.50; cheese tortellini is $11; and an "evening special" is $12.50. |
Killing Amtrak slowly from within
The Administration failed last fiscal year to kill off Amtrak with its zero-budget request. Instead, it found that Amtrak has considerable support in Congress, and that body allowed Amtrak far more than the White House had in mind. This year the White House is changing tactics: instead of trying to kill it off through sudden bankruptcy, the White House will propose, in the budget to be revealed next week, $900 million, the same amount it had been proposing before its zero-budget surprise. The White House probably assumes that Congress will increase that figure, but it looks as if the WH will instead focus its attention on controlling Amtrak from within instead of from without (through the budget). In fact, the process has already begun with the stealthlike appointment of WH cronies to Amtrak's board of directors, the firing of Amtrak President David Gunn, the interim appointment of a competent but weaker-than-Gunn President, one who won't outspokenly rock the boat and demand better performance the way Gunn did, and the demanding of service cuts, whittling away bit by bit on the Amtrak amenities that attract customers. Already dining car cuts are being made and the WH is determined to reduce so-called losses from dining car services. (See related article at the left.) Amtrak watchers are worried that sleeping car changes could be in the offing also. As David Gunn was being fired, he warned that passengers should expect train discontinuances. While these events take place, Administration cronies in
Amtrak will be, and are, saying that they are seeking to improve Amtrak,
though their "improvements" may not be looked on as such by Amtrak users.
UP takes aim at Coast Starlight Amtrak has caved in to UP requests that no passengers should
board the northbound Coast Starlight between Eugene and Seattle. The ostensible
reason for this change is the poor timekeeping of the northbound train
on that part of its route. When the train is late, which is frequent, passengers
for train 14 are usually switched to local trains. This new rule will be
in effect for the foreseeable future.
Rumors of Sunset Limited changes The Sunset Limited has long been an Amtrak whipping child and the object of numerous rumors about its viability and service parameters. Now some rumors, which may have some credence, are emanating from Amtrak planning sources. It is said that possibly the Sunset may be altered to no longer run east of New Orleans. Thus it would become a Los Angeles to New Orleans train. In that case, however, rail travel westward from Florida would continue via the City of New Orleans, which would be extended eastward to Florida, making it a Florida-Chicago train. A favorable aspect of these rumors is that there are no rumors, yet, of the train's being discontinued. The Sunset's poor timekeeping because of congestion around
Southern California will apparently not be abated, since both the UP and
the BNSF railroads seem unwilling to allow re-routes of the train around
the UP congestion of West Colton Yard.
A TIE REPLACEMENT PROJECT BETWEEN STOCKTON AND FRESNO
WILL AFFECT SERVICE ON TRAINS 702 AND 711 ON THESE DATES:
TRAIN 702: TRAIN 1702 SAC-SKT
TRAIN 711: TRAIN 711 BFD-FNO
AMTRAK AND THE THREE DAVIDS The three Davids are on the minds of most rail advocates these days: the fired Amtrak President David Gunn, Amtrak Board Chairman David Laney, and Gunn's temporary replacement as President, David Hughes. They form a big question mark in advocates' minds because of lack of outside information about their activities, plans and motives. The first question is why was David Gunn fired? It was widely recognized
that he was the best thing that had happened to Amtrak in its existence.
Even if his firing would not have an effect upon the future course of Amtrak
operations, it seemed unwise from a public relations standpoint because
of the appearance of Amtrak being cavalier in discarding such an effective
leader.
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