As SB 1856 (Chapter 697, 2002). Costa., the $10 billion “Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.“*will appear on the Nov. Ballot I thought this letter from U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein may be of interest to the voters.
“*Note: The Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century was originally scheduled to appear on the November 2, 2004, General Election ballot. Subsequently, Senate Bill 1169, Chapter 71, Statutes of 2004, provided that it appear on the November 7, 2006, General Election ballot. However, most recently, Assembly Bill 713, Chapter 44, Statutes of 2006, provides for the submission of this Act on the November 4, 2008, General Election ballot instead.” Folks, we are talking about a $42 billion dollar bullet train for which all of the funding has yet to be identified. ======================================
Letter from Senator Feinstein re Amtrak and the Coast Starlight
This letter was received by RailPAC Sacramento Director, Marcia Johnston, in reply to her inquiry of the Senator about needs for Amtrak survival.
From: senator@feinstein.senate.gov [mailto:senator@feinstein.senate.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 4:25 PM
To: Johnston, Marcia
Subject: U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein responding to your message
Dear Ms. Johnston:
Thank you for writing me to share your concerns about the recent delays with the Amtrak Coast Starlight. I appreciate hearing from you on this important transportation issue and welcome the opportunity to respond.
As I am sure you are aware, the Coast Starlight train connects Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California along a scenic coastal route. Unfortunately, ridership on this particular route has been on the decline over the past few years. According to Amtrak, ridership on the Coast Starlight has decreased 26 percent between 1999 and 2005. Even more disturbing, the Coast Starlight has delivered only 2 percent of its passengers to their destination on time since October of 2005.
According to the Union Pacific, the railroad that owns the portion of the tracks between Portland, Oregon and Sacramento, California, the majority of the delays on the track are caused by congestion and maintenance problems. The United States rail system differs from the system found in Japan and many European countries; there is not a separate system of tracks dedicated solely to passenger rail service, but rather passenger trains must share the tracks with freight trains. As a result, many Amtrak passenger trains must allow freight trains priority on the tracks.
I understand the concerns you mention in your letter. I recognize the tremendous service that Amtrak provides to many Californians like yourself. I also recognize that Amtrak passengers rely on trains departing and arriving in a timely fashion. I agree with your sentiments that if these trains do not run on time, passengers will be forced to look for alternative means of travel.
Please know that I will keep your comments in mind as my staff and I continue to monitor the Coast Starlight over the coming months. Again, thank you for contacting me. If you have any additional comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator
====================================================================================
I hope that the above referenced experience with Amtrak will not be transferred to whatever joint venture may evolve should voters approve, or the private sector totally funds, a 21st century high speed rail system.
Note: RailPAC is the “Rail Passenger Association of California and Nevada.”
email reply:
Very interesting, Larry. A couple of times I had the experience of a train being delayed. Once when my son was visiting from Northern California: on his return home, we were told the train was held up due to an accident, so I had to drive him to Los Angeles where he caught another train. Another time, I planned to go to an area near Simi, but again the train was delayed due to an accident, so I drove all the way to my destination (90 miles). I hesitate to plan train trips.
Pat