[OKC] FW: [passrailok] [NEWS] Oklahoman Reports Flyer Ridership up 40%-Amtrak Equipment in Short Supply

[Shauna Struby]

HEARTLAND FLYER RIDERSHIP UP 40%
The Daily Oklahoman reports that the Flyer's Ridership for July was up 40%
last month over a year ago. Gasoline prices likely played a role but maybe
more significant was the fact that Amtrak and ODOT finally added a 4th coach
to the train after several summers of sold out weekend trains. Of note here
is that The Flyer is now running with as many coaches as some long distance
trains. The story also mentioned that rail expansion projects are being
studied to Tulsa and between Austin - San Antonio. It neglected to mention
the Kansas - Oklahoma - Texas corridor study between Kansas City and Fort
Worth.

AMTRAK EQUIPMENT SHORTAGE
The Chicago Sun Times reports that Amtrak's equipment shortage is becoming
critical. After 37 years of funding neglect the nations last intercity
passenger rail carrier is gaining supporters. US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
has introduced the Train Cars Act. This Act would authorize Amtrak to issue
$2.8 billion in bonds over four years to help Amtrak rebuild its aging
passenger rail car fleet. The legislation would also use a quarter cent of
the federal gasoline tax to that would generate about $400 million over
three years. Critics claim that the money would better be spent to shore up
the struggling federal highway trust fund, however, Durbin rebutted, "we
can't pave our way out of highway congestion." The trust fund faces a
multi-billion shortfall next year due to driving decreases. 

AMTRAK CEO KUMMANT COMMENTS IN ILLINOIS
The Chicago Sun Times also quoted Amtrak CEO Alexander Kummant, "For the
first time in our history, the emerging mode of transportation is actually
one that's here already." Amtrak bookings are up 14% over last year. Kummant
claims that Amtrak ridership could nearly double over the next ten years to
50 million riders. Amtrak's authorization expired in 2002 but Congress has
maintained the struggling passenger carrier with a sparse $1.4 billion
appropriation on average over many years. The resulting deferred maintenance
has resulted in equipment shortages and downgraded services.

REVERSING THE RETRENCHMENTS
Passenger rail began its decline following the close of WWII with the
nation's investment in the federal interstate highway system and support for
aviation. Rising fuel costs are now trumping the personal convenience
afforded by these modern transportation modes. In fact, the convenience of
aviation now comes complete with charges for baggage and long security lines
that betray personal privacy. Automobile maintenance and rising gasoline
costs are causing people to think again about their driving habits. While it
might be just a look, people are now considering optional forms of
transportation as a 21st Century alternative. High fuel prices are driving
studies that may lead to the first Amtrak mileage route growth in the
carrier's 37 year history. 

50-50 FEDERAL GRANT PROGRAM ATTRACTS 22 STATES
The US DOT reported this month that 22 states applied for 50-50 Passenger
Rail Investment and Reform matching fund program. This program, administered
by the FRA, is intended to bring $60 million to capital projects for
passenger rail. Benefits will be felt beyond just Amtrak. It will also
provide freight rail capacity relief for routes between major metropolitan
areas such as Kansas City and St. Louis. Missouri's state supported trains,
two eastbound and two westbound which operate daily, have seen multi-year
ridership drops based upon freight train delays. This has bucked the
national growth trend. The reason, the Union Pacific that owns the route,
hauls lengthy coal trains over single this track railroad. The 1980 Staggers
Act brought monumental profits to an ailing railroad industry but it cost
the nation too many miles in route abandonments, choking the few remaining
freight rail carrier routes. 

Sidings where trains can pass were designed for much shorter freight trains
of the 1950's and 1960's. Amtrak takes the brunt of the abuse waiting in
short sidings for the much longer freight trains to pass. Realizing that
something had to be done the Missouri Department of Transportation, that
funds the 4 trains, is one of 22 states that are looking to supplement their
annual passenger rail subsides using the 50-50 federal grant program. The
details of Missouri's plan are available in the following one page PDF.

http://www.modot.mo.gov/othertransportation/rail/documents/PassRailTrackImpr
oveJun08WebVersion.pdf

 

 

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