Meeting Report and Commentary

San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee (SJVRC)

ACE Station, Stockton, CA, September 8, 2005

Reported by Bruce Jenkins, RailPAC director

DJ Mitchell & Rick Depler of BNSF were understandably absent due to more pressing matters in the south.

FEMA money for security: $15.8 B for Air, less than $1 B for transit. Dept of Rail has $70 million per yr for rail safety which is certainly the limiting factor. "SJVRC should respond to lack of $ for safety" (Chair Waterston).

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed, and its first meeting will be in Hanford on 10/13.

Amtrak/Dept of Rail Mktg - Doing general radio and Hispanic radio spots plus spots on traffic reports. Print ads with Hispanic Heritage. Trains #711/718 tied to Raider games, onboard presentations etc. Will go to Oakland Coliseum.

Free companion coupon (2 fer) promo continuing. Started college outreach program at valley campuses.

Improved Bus/Train operations at Bakersfield. Train doors will be open 45 mins prior to departure (a most welcome improvement).

Depatment of Rail - Stockton/Sacto UP track work will cause delays (more?). Still working with Fresno/Amtrak on funds for station. Lease may be resolved next week.

Increase of grade crossing funding by 60%.Celebration of opening of Weldon Ave/Fresno City College grade crossing Dec. 23.

Cab Car struck dump truck at 60mph, NO deflection , NO damage to Cab Car. Hope this will ease fears as a result of Metrolink accident.

56 cars in rebuild , hope of completion in 1 yr. "Plug ins" at every seat.

Air Condition failures on Cal 2 cars being renegotiated w/Alstom and their vendor. Cal 1 cars have redundant system.

Amtrak

Dedicated Funding Bill in progress for $11.4 B spread over 6 yrs. On Time Performance provision that Host RR responsible and required to prioritize.

Since Caifornia leads the nation in how to plan a RR system it has a chance to get $1.3 B/ yr.

California Cars, used on the Capitols and San Joaquins, are being redesigned with several improvements.

A state resolution for congress and state support of $1.8 B for Amtrak was passed.


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Meeting Reports 2005 Reports 2005-11-16 Capitol 2005-11-10 San Joaquin 2005-11 Announcement 2005-10-24 Bay Area 2005-09-21 Capitol 2005-09-14 LOSSAN 2005-09 Coast and TAMC 2005-09-08 San Joaquin 2005-07-14 San Joaquin 2005-07-11 TAMC 2005-06-25 CASHRA 2005-06-16 LOSSAN 2005-06-15 Capitol 2005-05-30 TAMC 2005-05-12 San Joaquin 2005-04-27 Coast Rail 2005-04-19 LOS-SAN 2005-03-11 San Joaquin 2005-02-16 Capitol 2005 Annual 2005-01 San Joaquin 2005-01 Monterey Membership Links	Meeting Report and Commentary San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee (SJVRC) ACE Station, Stockton, CA, September 8, 2005 Reported by Bruce Jenkins, RailPAC director DJ Mitchell & Rick Depler of BNSF were understandably absent due to more pressing matters in the south. FEMA money for security: $15.8 B for Air, less than $1 B for transit. Dept of Rail has $70 million per yr for rail safety which is certainly the limiting factor. "SJVRC should respond to lack of $ for safety" (Chair Waterston). A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed, and its first meeting will be in Hanford on 10/13. Amtrak/Dept of Rail Mktg - Doing general radio and Hispanic radio spots plus spots on traffic reports. Print ads with Hispanic Heritage. Trains #711/718 tied to Raider games, onboard presentations etc. Will go to Oakland Coliseum. Free companion coupon (2 fer) promo continuing. Started college outreach program at valley campuses. Improved Bus/Train operations at Bakersfield. Train doors will be open 45 mins prior to departure (a most welcome improvement). Depatment of Rail - Stockton/Sacto UP track work will cause delays (more?). Still working with Fresno/Amtrak on funds for station. Lease may be resolved next week. Increase of grade crossing funding by 60%.Celebration of opening of Weldon Ave/Fresno City College grade crossing Dec. 23. Cab Car struck dump truck at 60mph, NO deflection , NO damage to Cab Car. Hope this will ease fears as a result of Metrolink accident. 56 cars in rebuild , hope of completion in 1 yr. "Plug ins" at every seat. Air Condition failures on Cal 2 cars being renegotiated w/Alstom and their vendor. Cal 1 cars have redundant system. Amtrak Dedicated Funding Bill in progress for $11.4 B spread over 6 yrs. On Time Performance provision that Host RR responsible and required to prioritize. Since Caifornia leads the nation in how to plan a RR system it has a chance to get $1.3 B/ yr. California Cars, used on the Capitols and San Joaquins, are being redesigned with several improvements. A state resolution for congress and state support of $1.8 B for Amtrak was passed.
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