I can understand the NEC not willing to subsidize other Amtrak routes. But I wonder how other Amtrak routes could last if they reduce federal support by 40%.
Richard
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I'm at a loss to wonder where is this "40% reduction", reported not only by Gannett that Richard has immediately linked but also other outlets as well, is coming from? It seems that $439M for the Corridor and $973M for the National system totaling $1,412M ($1.4B), is in line with recent annual appropriations (Sec 101).
Now the provisions regarding Food & Beverage (Sec 203) say on one hand no more losses, but on the other there is 100% employee protection. Even if this were to be enacted (HAHA says I), it will be real sport to watch a scenario of "this train has been contracted out, but this one still has Agreement Amtrak employees". Shall we all sit down at the campfire, roast some smores, and sing Kumbyah together?
Even though I'm not sure why Amtrak loving Rep. Brown (D-FL5) co-sponsored this, I think it is just one more example of your tax dollars at work supporting the paper industry.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
This just boggles the mind. After establishing a separate NEC Improvement Fund and a National Network Fund, there is a passage that I think says, it's really OK to transfer funds between the two accounts.?? **********
'TRANSFER AUTHORITY.— ‘‘(1) AUTHORITY.—Amtrak may transfer any funds appropriated pursuant to the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2014 or any other Act, or any surplus generated by operations, between the Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund and National Network accounts upon the expiration of 60 days after Amtrak has notified the Amtrak Board of Directors of such transfer."
**********
This also intrigues me but what railroad would have the slightest interest:
*************
"Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2014, the Federal Railroad Administration shall complete a rulemaking proceeding to develop a pilot program that— ‘‘(1) permits a rail carrier or rail carriers that own infrastructure over which Amtrak operates a passenger rail service route described in subpara- graph (B), (C), or (D) of section 24102(5) or in section 24702(a) to petition the Federal Railroad Administration to be considered as a passenger rail service provider over that route in lieu of Amtrak for an operations period of 5 years"
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Mr. Palmland, your point regarding Amtrak can jolly well use funds anywhere they see fit, along with my observation that there is really no reduction from the existing funding level (don't journalists even if of the intern/cubby bear varietal know how to read source material?), that it is simply business as usual.
Regarding your second point (Sec 205 Competition), so long as this myth/charade/whatever that All Aboard Florida is "going to run trains and make money at it" is out there, may as well just "throw it in".
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
Is it just me or is the word "privacy" being used incorrectly? The correct term is "privatization" unless modern English usage has changed drastically overnight (of course, I'm the last to pick up on these trends - I still call a chest of drawers a bureau, and only recently started calling a plaster a band-aid).
Posted by Geoff Mayo (Member # 153) on :
It's not just you - but I thought it was my origins (UK). But looking up the definitions of privacy and privatization, I would have thought the latter would be the correct term here.
Posted by TwinStarRocket (Member # 2142) on :
If it passes spell-check, few in the media seam to care weather their using the write word or knot.
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
Don't ewe mean "...oar knot"
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
Off the subject, but I noticed that Rep. Jeff Denham has also introduced a bill to allow pet dogs and cats on certain Amtrak trains.
I hope the train attendants will have plenty of plastic dog poop bags in stock. I wonder if I could bring "Zephyr", my pit bull, on board?
Richard
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
I know that my Basset Hound is much better behaved than many of Amtrak's riders. Dogs were ok in sleepers before Amtrak and still ride the rails in UK.
The problem of course is that now many of our citizens view their 'pet' as a guard dog. Don't think I'd care to have an unfriendly Pit Bull in the next room. Perhaps it's part of the general decline of civility in our society.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: If it passes spell-check, few in the media seam to care weather their using the write word or knot.
Than cue, than cue, than cue.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
Yukon - I am thinking that my pet tabby "Chessie" would not enjoy riding in a roomette across the hall from your pet "Zephyr". "Chessie" is rather old and somewhat cranky now. And she sleeps alot!
As for the younger "Chessie", she was a spitfire who enjoyed chasing stray dogs out of our yard.
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
quote: If it passes spell-check, few in the media seam to care weather their using the write word or knot.
I wonder what the spell checker thought of this paragraph on the WTOP website:
quote: According to Amtrack, a Norfolk Southern freight train hit a pole, bringing down wires early Tuesday morning. The repairs forced Amtrak and MARC to suspend service for some commuters.
Right and wrong spelling in the same paragraph!
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
[QUOTE]Originally posted by notelvis: [QB] Yukon - I am thinking that my pet tabby "Chessie" would not enjoy riding in a roomette across the hall from your pet "Zephyr". "Chessie" is rather old and somewhat cranky now. And she sleeps alot!
**************************** I like that name, "Chessie". David. Hope she can sleep on a pillow on the top berth of your roomette.
I was just kidding, I really don't have a pit bull terrier named "Zephyr". I guess the bill will not allow pets on any LD train. Just in one special coach car. I would think the opposite, allow dogs or cats in roomettes or bedrooms but not in coach. Also, I can't determine if pets will have to be in travel cages or can be loose (at least on leash) below your seat.
Richard
Posted by mr williams (Member # 1928) on :
quote:Originally posted by yukon11: Off the subject, but I noticed that Rep. Jeff Denham has also introduced a bill to allow pet dogs and cats on certain Amtrak trains.
I hope the train attendants will have plenty of plastic dog poop bags in stock. I wonder if I could bring "Zephyr", my pit bull, on board?
Richard
That's nothing, over here a couple of years ago somebody tried to take their horse on a train:
...but the man at the ticket office said "neigh"!! Posted by TBlack (Member # 181) on :
I'm a little late to this conversation, but took #29 on Friday to Chicago. In the D room next to mine was a couple with 2 small dogs. Probably just testing out the efficacy of the proposed legislation?
BTW, Phil was the car attendant (superb!) and the train was 2 hours late into Union Station.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)