October /November 2006
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Washington Rail News October /November 2006 www.washarp.org [email protected] Publication of the Washington Association of Rail Passengers A NotNot----forforforfor----profitprofit Consumer Organization “Moving forward...On Rail ."."." Amtrak has new president but still no final Changes coming to 2007 federal funding or reauthorization WashARP By Chuck Mott The Amtrak Board of Directors has we need to know whether he was The WashARP Board of Directors appointed Alexander Kummant as brought in to build up Amtrak or tear it approved major changes in the struc- president and CEO. He started Sept. down. We await what he’ll have to say ture of our organization on July 28, 12. Kummant replaced interim presi- about Amtrak’s future.” Sen. Tom 2006, that are expected to facilitate and dent David Hughes, who had filled in Carper (D-DE) said Kummant’s hiring strengthen the purpose, focus and ef- for the highly regarded David Gunn, “should help Amtrak to better work with fectiveness of our rail advocacy organi- fired by the board last November. its partners in the freight rail business.” zation. Chief among the changes made "Alex Kummant has the outstanding Kummant spoke publicly for the first is our name change to All Aboard credentials and experience to lead a time Sept. 28 at a House Transporta- Washington . Reasons for the new changing Amtrak that is more tion and Infrastructure Committee name include: customer-focused and fiscally respon- hearing. His brief opening statement • It is a progressive term sible," said Amtrak Chairman David M. included this: “I believe long-distance • It suggests forward movement to Laney. "His appointment fulfills the trains are an important part of the na- something that is excitingly board's commitment to select an ex- tion’s transportation network, and I be- different traordinarily strong and capable leader lieve it is our challenge to run them in • It anticipates new experiences for Amtrak's future, building on the the most efficient and effective way. and outcomes growing national desire for more and That said, I understand how important • It unmistakably identifies passen- improved passenger rail service." these trains are as a form of basic ger trains as the means in getting Little was know of Kummant by transportation to many small communi- us there most people. He served as a Union ties across the nation.” NARP’s Ross The board also adopted this mission Pacific vice president 1999-2003. His Capon said, “We will be watching with statement: “Promoting rail as an inte- other employment involved a number of interest to see how he defines ‘efficient gral part of Washington State’s trans- companies in the U.S. and Europe, and effective.’” portation solutions.” Most organizations sometimes for less than a year. Some He also said corridor expansion and today, both for-profit and non-profit, members of Congress and rail advo- continued development of state part- have adopted a mission statement, cates want to know in what direction he nerships are important to Amtrak’s which says, in a few well-chosen will take Amtrak. future. words, what the organization is about. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) told Kummant said he's always won- We believe this mission statement pro- the Wall Street Journal, “It’s good they dered "why the Amtrak debate is so vides an excellent description of who finally appointed someone, but given emotional and at times acrimonious.” we are and what we want to accom- this administration’s record on Amtrak, (See Kummant, page 5) plish. A special thanks goes to Brandon Swalley and her committee for their UP failures much higher up than with the dispatchers By Mark Meyer thorough research and analysis in In the August/September WashARP newsletter, Jim Hamre pens a lengthy tale of finding a suitable name and mission how the Coast Starlight has become a victim of Union Pacific operating practices. statement for our rail advocacy “Union Pacific – lessons in how not to run a railroad” includes a thorough documen- organization. tation of some of the delays he experienced during a roundtrip on the Starlight in The board also reviewed a draft of June of this year. Unfortunately, his frustration with the constant, growing delays our proposed Washington State Rail these trains experienced caused him make some statements that question the com- Policy document. The final statement petence of the train dispatchers rather than to focus on the main culprit: UP was to be submitted to the board of di- management. rectors at its meeting on October 14 for One example he experienced is indicated as such: “One mile north of Salinas sta- final review and approval. This impor- tion we parked in a siding for more than a(n) hour to await passage of the northbound tant document will serve as All Aboard Starlight . We could have proceeded to the Salinas station and continued on our way Washington’s official rail policy state- to meet the northbound train at a siding south of town. No freight trains were evident ment for our state. On behalf of the in this area.” There are several similar descriptions about delays such as this using board; I want to thank C.B. Hall and the phrases “we could have” done this or “there is no reason we could have not” done that. Lloyd Flem for their tireless and (See Meyer, page 4) (See Changes, page 5) page 2 ceived benefits? Repeatedly, I heard, case of the Higher Users Federation (a FroFroFro m the "comfort, safety, lack of stress, very re- powerful highway BUILDERS lobby) for Executive laxing, pleasurable experience, better an ultra-costly massive new round of Director's Desk scenery, cordial fellow travelers, produc- road construction. The article begins with tive use of time, best way for seniors or probably accurate estimates of the costs by non-drivers." Speedier travel time and/or in time and money of current traffic con- Lloyd H. Flem cheap rides were rarely, if ever, men- gestion. The total proposed answer: more tioned by my respondents. (Although for and bigger roads! In considering "what Benefits of Passenger Rail; me, the train fare Olympia-Seattle- we all can do," the article's only hint of Olympia is certainly less than the cost of Rail is Also an Answer! action beyond more pavement is "mem- driving and parking downtown, which is bership rent-a-car." Transit, rail (for pas- The Washington State Transportation my usual destination in the Emerald City.) sengers and freight – large trucks create Commission sponsored Rail Capacity In concert with research done by the much of the wear on streets and high- and Needs Study is rapidly proceeding state DOT Rail Office, I found that what ways and at least some freight now and scheduled to end in December with passenger train riders and would-be rid- trucked would better be on the rails), van policy recommendations to the legisla- ers want more than anything else is pooling and (Heaven help us!) driving a ture, governor, and WSDOT. All Aboard greater frequency of service. The Cas- bit less were not even considered as Washington Chairman Chuck Mott and I cades are seen by their passengers now other solutions to the problems and costs were actively involved in helping deter- as being a much more pleasant way to of motor vehicle congestion. mine the scope of the study. Of course we need to in- Later, some passenger rail …I found that what passenger train riders vest in road transportation. advocates attended "Lis- and would-be riders want more than Nearly all of us drive or use tening Sessions" around the the highways and want them state. The sessions were anything else is greater frequency of safe and reasonably effi- efforts to discern citizen service. The Cascades are seen by their cient. Most rail advocates views on rail transportation. strongly supported recent Results showed strong sup- passengers now as being a much more legislation that increased port for an even greater pleasant way to travel than flying, driving funding for roads and op- state emphasis on rail, par- posed anti-funding initia- ticularly freight rail. or riding buses. State investments need tives. But not JUST more Recently, members of a to focus on adding more trains. roads, please! Technical Resource Panel An ongoing annoyance (TRP) have been asked to review and travel than flying, driving or riding buses. to this rail advocate is the critique the progress thus far made in the State investments need to focus on add- profound double standard to which in- study. I was appointed to represent rail ing more trains. Faster schedules? vestments in rail are judged compared to passengers on the TRP and have had Some, particularly those taking the train investments in rubber tired infrastructure. several cordial and productive meetings for business, would find that an advan- At a recent hearing by the Puget Sound with and have given written papers to tage, but all day, hourly service, now en- Regional Council on the fate of the East- representatives of Cambridge Systemat- joyed by passengers in two California side rail line (see Jim Cusick’s column on ics, the prime consulting firm responsible corridors, the Northeast Corridor, and that issue), a report on environmental im- for research and study products. much of Europe and East Asia, is what is pacts emphasized that (direct and local- One task of the study was to deter- needed. More riders, the inevitable result ized) impacts would be greater if the rail mine measurable benefits coming from of more service, would be the primary use were continued or increased and far state investment in passenger rail.