Post A Reply
my profile
|
directory
login
|
register
|
search
|
faq
|
forum home
»
RAILforum
»
Passenger Trains
»
Amtrak
»
My Amtrak Wish List
» Post A Reply
Post A Reply
Login Name:
Password:
Message Icon:
Message:
HTML is not enabled.
UBB Code™ is enabled.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by PullmanCo: [QB] You want my wish list? 1) M&E that works. What did Passenger Traffic Departments REALLY MAKE THEIR MONEY ON BEFORE OCTOBER 1967?? MAIL AND EXPRESS. The system we have (which in spite of everything is close to what was there in 1971) is a remnant which cannot support itself. Amtrak needs a revenue generator. 2) Second turns on each of the major routes, being M&E with quality of service supporting first fruits movement of seasonal fruits and vegetables, bulk 1st/2d/3d class US mail (not to mention Fedex/UPS as appropriate), and on and on. 3) Denver-KC, 3x daily, with a 60MPH average rate of advance. 4) A holistic debate about domestric transportation and its energy demands in the US, which doesn't look at the jobs generated by building highways. Problem is, I've worked in public budgeting and funding, albeit in defense, not transportation. I saw David Gunn present a vision of the "State of Good Repair", complete with a price tag... and get fired for it. I watched Congress take Mr Gunn's numbers, say thank you, and mark up the Amtrak budget by rate of inflation. At least that wasn't what the Administration wanted, but it sure wasn't what Amtrak needed. I've watched the fleet dwindle one or two cars at a time, one or two locomotives at a time. We have no production capacity in the country. We have a 28 month lag to start a new train. You said that yourself. I've watched NEC folks say to hell with the rest of the country. Amtrak is, the last time I checked, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Sam Graves, R-6, MO, is my Congresscritter. He also sits the House Transportation Committee. I've talked to his transportation policy staffer. I've asked to keep the current system in place as a placeholder... I'm waiting for the carbon use tax to be factored in on top of the existing Federal fuels tax. I write the letters and I participate in the forums. So yes, when I see pipe dreams anymore, I get out the cold water. Did you listen to KPR this morning? $130M shortfall in receipts for the Kansas budget beginning July 1. That's not chump change, even for KS. Something's gonna get schwacked right out of the budget. You think that 3-6-12M (pick number based on cost sharing algorithm) for the Oil Flyer would have made the cut had the studies been NOW, not ready for the 10 Legislative season? Until bullet 4 of my wishlist happens, we're stuck in incremental policymaking. That is most assuredly NOT GOOD. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Instant Graemlins
Instant UBB Code™
What is UBB Code™?
Options
Disable Graemlins in this post.
*** Click here to review this topic. ***
Contact Us
|
Home Page
Powered by
Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2
Copyright © 2007-2016
TrainWeb, Inc.
Top of Page
|
TrainWeb
|
About Us
|
Advertise With Us
|
Contact Us