RAILforum: This is what I was looking for!

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Posted by iowamomofsix (Member # 3695) on :

I found an Amtrak information site for California which I'm sure some of you have seen. This page states that Amtrak is working with transit organizations to improve connectivity between airport and train station. (Guess I wasn't the first one to have the idea. LOL!) The site is obscure if you are digging for it. If Amtrak could have an official page, having each state link to it with similar information as this page, it would help people make the decision to take the train as part of their trip.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/rail/airports/access.htm

This page was put up by the state, obviously. It seems to me that we could help Amtrak, a little at least, by encouraging our state's DOT's to put up Amtrak information that is specific to their state, and then encourage Amtrak to link to it on their official web site.

Debbie

Posted by Charles Reuben (Member # 2263) on :

Good work, Debbie.

What would even help Amtrak more than a web page would be for LAX (airport) to get connected with Los Angeles' vast light rail network. Once a person gets on the light rail, they can get to Los Angeles Union Station and then, the world is their oyster, so to speak.

Although I no longer fly, I am well familiar with the Los Angeles rail situation. Despite my inherent cynacism, I am certain that many residents would abandon their cars and take the light rail to the airport, if only it were possible.

Conversely, I am certain that many visitors to LA would jump on the light rail and take it to a location a little more accessible to their hosts, were such a thing possible. To ask tourists or visitors to jump on a bus and make a bunch of crazy connections is inhospitable and inconvenient.

Why isn't it possible to jump on a train when you get to LAX? I'm sure the people who own the parking lots next to the airport had something to do with that!

[This message has been edited by Chucky (edited 02-10-2005).]

Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :

I have always been impressed by the California system -- that state has obviously invested a lot of money into public transportation, including AMTRAK and making sure there are connections from AMTRAK to most of the population centers in the state. And the people of California actually USE that state's extensive public transporation system!!!!! I wish all the states would invest as much as California into their public rail/transportation systems.

Here in Florida, in 2000, the voters of the state approved a constitutional amendment to start up a "bullet train" system in Florida linking the major population centers of Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, then last year, we voted on an amendment to REPEAL the amendment we just approved in 2000! And it passed!! Talk about stupidity!!! (I certainly did NOT vote for the repeal!!!) Have any of you had similar experiences in mass stupidity your states?

[This message has been edited by RRRICH (edited 02-11-2005).]

Posted by iowamomofsix (Member # 3695) on :

I agree with Chucky. LAX is quite a distance from the station, but a direct connection between the two would ensure us using both!

Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :

Thanks Debbie,

This site is a great resource. I'm going to bookmark it on my computer once I get home.

Ooooooops.......guess I just admitted that I sometimes read the Trainweb Forum from the office.

I'm so ashamed.

Let us know if this link finally does the trip and gets you guys from an airport to an Amtrak train!!!!!

------------------
David Pressley

[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 02-11-2005).]