Rail Travel News posting November 17, 2008

Rail Travel News
News posting November 17, 2008

<Why did Amtrak President Kummant resign?

Amtrak CEO Alex Kummant on Nov 14 resigned his position with Amtrak, effective immediately, though he will help with the transition period to a new appointment. Amtrak's chief operating officer, William Crosbie, will serve as acting president until a new appointment is made. The president-CEO is appointed by the Amtrak board.

The National Association of RR Passengers praised Kummant for his support of long-distance trains and for other achievements. NARP said that they did not think that politics had forced his resignation. Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black told reporters that Kummant and the board "had differences in strategic direction and management philosophy." It seems unclear what those differences were.

Bob Rynerson reports that a Berlin, Germany publication in November published an interview with Kummant in which the Amtrak CEO was highly critical of Amtrak's lack of modernity in its infrastructure and operations, compared to European rail passenger systems.

Amtrak's board, which is allowed seven members, currently has five, three of which are Republican. Although it would appear that the Republican members could have voted Kummant out, the comments of those close to the scene suggest that it may have been Kummant's managing style that set off conflicts with the board.

President-elect Obama will probably have the opportunity to appoint four new board members, since legislation has increased the board maximum to nine. Possibly the new larger board will choose the next CEO to replace Kummant.

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Voters opt for high-speed rail and increased transit
California's Measure 1A, which would raise $9.95 billion to build the nation's first high-speed rail passenger system, was solidly approved by voters on Nov 4. The line will run initially from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Besides construction of the core line, the funding provides $950 million for connecting conventional rail service, including Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and BART. Voters in Marin and Sonoma Counties of California approved a measure to start a long-desired commuter rail system (the SMART Train) between Coverdale and a point near the Larkspur ferry terminal. To fund the project, voters accepted a 1/4-cent sales tax increase.The project will include a bicycle and pedestrian path. In New Mexico, voters in seven counties approved a tax increase to fund the Rail Runner commuter train between Santa Fe and Belen, as well as other transit projects. The Rail Runner is expected to begin service in December between Santa Fe and metro Albuquerque. In Washington State’s Puget Sound counties voters approved a $22.8 billion measure for expansion of public transit. Via a sales tax increase, funds will cover an expansion of Sound Transit light rail to Bellevue, Lynnwood and Federal Way. Los Angeles County voters approved a massive 30-year expenditure based on increased sales tax to fund a number of subway and other rail transit projects . In San Jose CA, a sales tax measure to provide for an extension of BART to that city failed by a tiny margin, requiring a 2/3 majority of voters. All in all, 2008 was a banner year for rail transit funding.

Amtrak system timetable available

Amtrak's system timetable for fall 2008 and winter 2009, effective Oct. 27, 2008 to April 2009, is now available. In format and appearance, the booklet is similar to the preceding, spring-summer timetable. The cover illustration is unusual in that no train appears in it. It is a photograph that has the appearance of a painting. It was taken May 20, 2008 at Kenyon, Rhode Island, by Jim Smithson and crew. The image has probably received a good deal of Photoshopping, giving it the appearance of a painting. The lighting in the picture is extraordinary. The sun is behind a catenary pole, blocking its direct rays from the camera. The timetable is available at Amtrak stations.

Restoring the Black Hawk

Illinois rail advocates are promoting and anticipating Amtrak's restoral of the Chicago-Dubuque Black Hawk train, now that Amtrak is lined up to receive double its current budget over the next five years. They are cognizant, however, that the funds still must be appropriated, and that finding the money in the federal budget will be more difficult since the current financial crisis has occurred and the nation is either in or headed into a recession. Also, if John McCain becomes the next President, all bets would be off, since McCain has been one of the most dedicated enemies of Amtrak and passenger rail in the world of politics. McCain voted against the recent Amtrak re-authorization bill, while Barack Obama voted for it.

Amtrak Bill Is Signed Into Law

President Bush on Oct 16 signed into law the 5-year Amtrak re-authorization bill that permits Amtrak to receive, subject to later appropriation bills, $2.6 billion in direct subsidies annually, about double its current level. It was the first Amtrak authorization bill passed since 1997.

Bill author Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) said the bill signing was a victory for rail users. Among the bill's features is a requirement that the feds and states work together to bring the NE Corridor up to a state of good repair by 2018.

Safety features in the bill include installing automatic train stopping in dangerous situations, and the requirement that the feds study and implement a crackdown on the use of handheld electronic devices such as cell phones by train operating personnel, and to require adequate rest periods.

The passage of all these safety features was assured by pressure following the recent L.A. Metrolink crash.

Amtrak Downeaster new station work begins

Amtrak's Downeaster train is being extended north of Portland, Maine. On October 14 ground was broken for a new train station, the Maine Street Station, in Brunswick, Maine. The price tag on the project, which will include shops, condominiums and an inn, is $25 million. Gov. Baldacci, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, said that the train has exceeded expectations and that its ridership has risen 30 per cent in the past year. Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority head Patricia Quinn said that the station development will profusely benefit the state in new jobs created and new tax revenues--"not to mention hundreds of millions of dollars in money that people are saving in transportation because they're just having it go out their tailpipe." A passenger stop in Freeport is included in the extension.

New analysis of long-distance routes
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