Wow Senator Fiensteins Letter

[Guest_Amtrak_flyer_*]

Ive been writing anyone who will listen about the UP's treatment of Amtrak trains, way before all the media coverage of it started. I got this letter today. All I can say is wow. For an Amtrak supporter shes misinformed. Although Im not surprised I wrote concerning David Gunn's and her response was the senate doesnt have jurisdiction over board decisions. I called her office and pointed out the "amtrak" board was supposed to be confirmed by the senate, just like the supreme court is. That seemed to click a bell with them finally. But anyways read the letter and see if you can pick out the problems with it...if your in CA, help me call her office and set her straight...

August 14, 2006

Mr.

san diego, California 92122

Dear :

Thank you for writing me to share your concerns

about the recent delays with the Amtrak Coast Starlight.

I appreciate hearing from you on this important

transportation issue and welcome the opportunity to

respond.

As I am sure you are aware, the Coast Starlight

train connects Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles,

California along a scenic coastal route. Unfortunately,

ridership on this particular route has been on the decline

over the past few years. According to Amtrak, ridership

on the Coast Starlight has decreased 26 percent between

1999 and 2005. Even more disturbing, the Coast

Starlight has delivered only 2 percent of its passengers to

their destination on time since October of 2005.

According to the Union Pacific, the railroad that

owns the portion of the tracks between Portland, Oregon

and Sacramento, California, the majority of the delays on

the track are caused by congestion and maintenance

problems. The United States rail system differs from the

system found in Japan and many European countries;

there is not a separate system of tracks dedicated solely

to passenger rail service, but rather passenger trains must

share the tracks with freight trains. As a result, many

Amtrak passenger trains must allow freight trains priority

on the tracks.

I understand the concerns you mention in your

letter. I recognize the tremendous service that Amtrak

provides to many Californians like yourself. I also

recognize that Amtrak passengers rely on trains departing

and arriving in a timely fashion. I agree with your

sentiments that if these trains do not run on time,

passengers will be forced to look for alternative means of

travel.

Please know that I will keep your comments in

mind as my staff and I continue to monitor the Coast

Starlight over the coming months. Again, thank you for

contacting me. If you have any additional comments or

questions, please feel free to contact my Washington,

D.C. staff at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein

United States Senator

 

[Guest_Amtrak_flyer_*]

Called her office this morning. It was news to them that Amtrak was supposed to have priority! They're going to look into the matter....

 

[AlanB]

Called her office this morning. It was news to them that Amtrak was supposed to have priority! They're going to look into the matter....

That's a response that I'd love to see, if they do get back to you. :blink:

 

[AmtrakWPK]

Thinking about it, for trains that are strictly intra-state, i.e., start and end in the same State , that State could probably get away with legislation which taxes the host railroad based on how poorly it treats intra-state passenger trains funded by the State, especially if the State does any funding of the infrastructure. I don't think (because of the Commerce Clause) it could do that with interstate trains, but intra-state trains it might be able to get away with it. Interesting thought, that.