NPR Amtrak discussion

[henry...@aol.com]

Some random thoughts about the whole NPR debacle:

 

1.  Iztook did what he does best--talk.  He is a "has been" politician who ended up at the Heritage Foundation.  He is good at what he does:  twist the issue to his own point of view.  But it isn't worth our time to worry about him.  Along with another writer, I agree that we should be thankful this was on NPR and not FOX News.

 

2.  In response to Jerry's desire for accurate numbers on the Sunset:  The percentage of return he suggested seems close to accurate to me.  We really can't expect more return.  The train runs only three days a week in each direction, reducing ridership while increasing administrative costs per run.  Admittedly, 40% of its former ridership no longer receive service.  The monumental delays experienced over the last couple years only discouraged more people from riding it.  The lack of connectivity with the Coast Starlight also discouraged ridership.  You  put all of these factors together and it's a wonder the train can generate as much revenue as it does!  Statistics appearing in a recent message on this list indicated that ridership is actually increasing.  Even the stops in west Texas have shown increases from 2005 to 2006. 

 

Imagine what could happen if the Sunset Limited actually was operated in the manner supported by TXARP and other passenger train support groups:

 

1.  Daily service

2.  On-time performance

3.  Restoration of the full route to Orlando

 

The Sunset Limited could be the premier train of Amtrak's long distance service.  Connecting some of the largest and growing metropolitan areas of the country with some of the most desired destinations, while improving connectivity throughout the South and between the coasts of our country, no other route has more potential for growth in passenger numbers and economic benefits.

 

Henry Wulff 

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[Howard Bingham]

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Friends who are UP dispatchers in Spring, TX , indicate daily service
would aide their efforts to keep the SSL running ON TIME..

As it is now, unless familiar with the routine, UP dispatchers may
not realize it is the day for the SSL to run until it shows up on
their console..

So in effect, making the train daily kills two birds with one stone..

Restoration of the train to Orllando may take an "Act of God" to pull
off, as long as White House politics dictate Amtrak operations..

Howard Bingham, at mp 372 of the UP Houston Terminal Sub (AKA: Sunset Route).

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[Jim Griffin]

Yep. We have a real winner in the Sunset. Just can't
get the right people behind it . . . so far. R, JG

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[Dick Friedman]

In recent times, Amtrak has decided to upgrade the Empire Builder,and
before that, the Coast Starlight. The results, including increased
advertising, has yielded more riders and better revenues. Each has
been held up as a model of what can happen to multi-corridor train
service (I'LL never use the l*** d******* phrase again, as I've been
enlightened by the Amtrak Board!)

Why has the Board not done the same for other similar routes? I'm not
as interested in why not the Sunset, but why these and no others. Was
there a multi year plan to improved these routes which has now been
sabatoged by the Amtrak Board?