I'll be optimistic. Let's hope the new administration encourages a complete review of Amtrak financing (or lack of) and comes up with some new ideas. Mica's style of micro management is what's been wrong with congress. 40+ years of hand to mouth is enough.
Moorman might be the guy to get the attention of a business friendly government, especially with the renewed interest in infrastructure investment. You can be sure there will be an effort in actually getting off the ground the congressionally mandated pilot program for 3 LD routes handled by private operators. The theory that it will result in better service at lower cost should be tested.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Just think, no more watching dollar bills being burned and other "crass" grandstanding at Amtrak related House Committee hearings.
Also of interest; FL7 was redrawn just before the Election, and in the process, the Auto Train facility appears to no longer be within the District. If such be the case, just as well he's "outta there".
But wait volks; the Micascope will simply be moving from First & Capitol to K Street. It could well end up being at work for NARP - if the price was right!!!!
Posted by Vincent206 (Member # 15447) on :
No mention of a SecTrans Designate; no mention in the "60 Minutes" interview aired last evening (available at On-Demand, or at least Comcast's varietal of such).
It certainly is telling that Trans remains somewhere down near Postmaster General or Ambassador to The Congo in the Trump Administration.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Perhaps the omission was intentional. Sec of Transportation has only been around since 1967. Somehow we survived before that. Seems like the necessary functions might fit with the Commerce Sec.
Or, perhaps more likely, the Administration will just keep current Sec. Foxx which would provide the requisite Democrat and at least one minority on the cabinet.
Anyone but that political hack John Mica.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Lest we forget, during the Kennedy administration, the railroads were the principal advocates of a separate Cabinet level chair for transportation.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Let's also not forget that the biggest cuts in Amtrak train-miles occurred under a Democrat administration.
Posted by Jerome Nicholson (Member # 3116) on :
quote:Originally posted by George Harris: Let's also not forget that the biggest cuts in Amtrak train-miles occurred under a Democrat administration.
TWO Democratic administration's!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Let's not lose sight that Rep. Mica "brought a lot" of transportation projects to Central Florida. Let's not forget Sun Rail (to what extent it's a success is probably "still too early to tell"), but it does serve the core Downtown areas along its route when compared to Tri-Rail which conveniently serves only one (WPB).
Why Rep. Mica had to "sully" his pro-transportation record with all his nauseating Amtrak charades escapes me. What will likely never be public is an objective measurement of the bottom line effect of his "simplifications" on Amtrak F&B. No other mode of transit, save Overseas First Class air, allows a passenger to have something to eat or drink whenever they choose. Those vile Short Ribs I had on Auto Train still "stick to me" - especially when I remember the excellent ones Sky Chef had for United last August.
But Central Florida had best accept that the gravy train has left the station - and with the Adios drumhead on the rear.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
I think this quote from the Trains news wire says it best:
"Outspoken passenger rail advocate and former Amtrak President David Gunn disagrees. He worked with Mica during his 2002 to 2005 stint at the passenger railroad and answered to the congressman's committee. “Mica never accomplished anything except making issues where none existed," Gunn says."
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
It is incongruous that a Member of Congress who unquestionably "brought home the bacon" with transportation projects thought that one transportation agency, with a sizable facility within his Disttict, sought to discredit that agency with frivolous issues and grandstanding of them.
If the District was served by "one a day at 3A", then I guess I "could see it". But with (a guess) 300 good paying Amtrak jobs within such, I'm at a loss to know what made Luigi tick.
Finally, the 7th CD is confronted with the effect of whenever a "lion" is replaced with a "freshman". Stephanie will be a Grandma by the time she has seniority on whatever Committees she sits in order to influence legislation for her "folks (aka voters) back home".
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
So, what WILL AMTRAK look like under President Trump and his Republican House and Senate? I have not heard anything yet from his campaign or his first week of "transition."
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Discussion of Rich's immediate point is moving forth here;