NARP News February 2013 www.narprail.org Trains: A Travel Choice Americans Want New Cost-Sharing Framework to Start Oct. 1 LaHood Touts Under 2008 law’s mandate, many states will have to pay more to keep trains Passenger Trains in major concern for train advocates • all “Third Party” costs (defined as Exit Interviews A is how various short-distance trains host railroad charges & fuel), will fare come Oct. 1 in light of Section • all “Route Costs” (direct & shared 209 of the 2008 Passenger Rail Invest- costs that are clearly route related), ment & Improvement Act (PRIIA, see and “Additives” (costs shared between Aug. 2010 News). routes, expressed as percentages of se- The law, aimed at creating a “level lected Route Cost categories); and playing field” for state support of routes • a pro-rata share of equipment over- shorter than 750 miles, would force hauls based on the percentage of Am- most affected states to pay more to Am- trak-owned equipment used (first time trak. There are big impacts for Califor- states are paying for this). The Republican / MassLive.com LaHood arriving in Hartford, CT in 2010 nia, Michigan, New York and Virginia. The first two bullets comprise about Under the law, Amtrak and the states 88% of a route’s operating costs. States US Transportation Secretary Ray La- developed and agreed a uniform meth- partly offset the costs by pocketing their Hood said Jan. 29 that he would leave odology for sharing the costs of less- trains’ passenger revenues. when his successor is confirmed. than-750-mile trains outside the Bos- The New York and Michigan gover- Secretary LaHood has been a stead- ton-Washington line. nors have included adequate funds in fast champion of passenger trains. He By November 2011, each affected their budgets for the coming fiscal year keynoted NARP’s 2011 and 2012 Capi- state except Indiana had agreed the new to keep their trains running. New York- tol Hill receptions, and thanked NARP framework. Since Indiana was a hold- Niagara Falls and Chicago-Detroit-Pon- for our partnership in a 2012 blog post. out, the Surface Transportation Board tiac operations have been 100% Amtrak In media exit interviews, he has tout- on Mar. 15, 2012 issued an order af- funded, so have a big transition. ed developent of more and faster pas- firming the policy (ww.bit.ly/stb209). Pennsylvania DOT, through state- senger trains, along with expanded rail States will pay: Continued on page 5 transit and other car alternatives, as a key piece of President Obama’s legacy. Come to Washington April 22-24 “It’s the next generation of transporta- Take part in annual Council meeting and Day on the Hill tion for the next generation,” LaHood is fond of saying. This year’s spring meeting of free of charge—NARP staff will pro- On NPR’s Diane Rehm Show Feb. NARP’s Council of Representatives— vide you with all necessary information 6, LaHood said, “I’m sure that when an all-volunteer advisory body elected and can even schedule meetings with the Interstate [highway] system started by NARP members—promises to offer Congressional offices upon request. Continued on page 5 stimulating discussions, networking Early-bird registration for the meet- opportunities, and an opportunity to ing, available through April 5, is $225 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: help influence Capitol Hill at a historic per person—with discounted rates of • Amtrak, California HSR Authority to 2 turning point for our cause. $195 for first-time attendees and $180 jointly order high-speed trainsets Guest speakers on Monday, Apr. 22, for attendees aged 18 to 30. • NEC “critical needs” report 2 will include Amtrak’s Mark Yachmetz Register for Day on the Hill at • NARP in the community 2 (Chief—Corporate Research & Strat- www.narprail.org/hillday. Register • Amtrak plans many 2013 upgrades 3 egy) and Joe McHugh (V.P.—Govern- for the Council meeting at www.nar- • Mayors leading charge to restore 3 ment Affairs). Trains Magazine pas- prail.org/register, or call (202) 408- New Orleans-Florida train service • VIPs inspect Southwest Chief route 3 senger correspondent Bob Johnston 8362. • Amtrak working to improve acces- 4 also will speak during the conference. The meeting venue is the Hilton Al- sibility at stations The meeting takes place Monday and exandria Old Town Hotel at 1767 King • Sequestration’s effect on Amtrak 4 Wednesday, April 22 & 24, and NARP St. in Alexandria, VA—across street • NARP status boards at Kalamazoo 5 Day on Capitol Hill is Tuesday, April from the King Street Metrorail station • Sandy relief Amtrak funding enacted 5 23. Any member is welcome and en- and about a block from the Amtrak/ • NARP Membership Meetings 6 couraged to take part in Day on the Hill VRE train station. • Travelers’ Advisory 6 - 1 - Amtrak, California HSR Authority Move Towards Joint High-Speed Trainset Order NARP News ©2013 National Association of Railroad Amtrak and the California High- The combined order should mean Passengers. All rights reserved. Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) may lower unit costs even if the two types of 505 Capitol Court, NE, Suite 300 jointly place an order for high-speed equipment are not 100% identical. Washington, DC 20002-7706 trainsets that will be the first to oper- NARP lauded the joint order in a (202) 408-8362; fax: (202) 408-8287 [email protected] ate in the U.S. at speeds up to 220 mph. Jan. 18 press release (www.bit.ly/hsor- www.narprail.org The two agencies issued a Request for der). NARP President Ross Capon said, Information to potential manufacturers “Amtrak and CHSRA deserve praise for Robert J. Stewart Chairman Jan. 17. The trainsets would start oper- their efforts to advance high-speed rail John Delora Vice Chair ating in California in 2022, and would in the U.S. We also are encouraged by Albert L. Papp, Jr. Vice Chair operate sooner over the existing North- FRA’s work regarding advanced equip- Arthur Poole Vice Chair east Corridor (NEC), supplementing ment, including approval of intermix- David Randall Vice Chair existing Acela service. They could op- ing standard European rolling stock and Stephen J. Salatti Secretary erate on Amtrak’s planned “NextGen” regular, ‘FRA-compliant’ passenger Kenneth T. Clifford Treasurer Washington-Boston high-speed line. equipment on the San Francisco-San Ross B. Capon President & CEO The new equipment would be lighter Jose commuter line.” Sean Jeans-Gail Vice President than Acela and would have many de- NEC “Critical Needs” Report Malcolm M. Kenton Director of signs and components common with Outreach & Engagement the newest, overseas high-speed trains, The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Luis Olmo-Rivera Coordinator of and a higher standard of crash energy and Operations Advisory Commission Resource Development management than older European high- created by the big 2008 federal pas- Lawrence E. Scott Special Assistant speed trains. senger train law released its first major to the Chairman Amtrak plans to seek to regulatory report Jan. 31: Critical Infrastructure This has news through February 8 changes to allow the new trains to op- Needs of the NE Corridor www.nec- Vol. 47, No. 1 was mailed January 4. erate in NEC service comingled with commission.com/resources/documents and representatives—in most cases existing stock at speeds faster than 125 The 18 Commissioners include five DOT secretaries—from states along the mph on tracks shared with other trains. U.S. DOT officials, four from Amtrak, Corridor. President’s Corner by Ross Capon Model Trains; Charity; Valued Senate Staff er NARP added a nice touch to the Dec. He asked his assistant, NARP Mem- Sullivan was one of the most admired 21 Christmas party of Capital Reach, ber Jim Frisk, about a model train dis- Hill staffers. He left the Senate last a charity that mentors young people in play for the party. Frisk reached out to month to work in the private sector so the Washington, DC metropolitan area. NARP’s Luis Olmo-Rivera. he could support numerous young men The charity was co-founded by Rus- Thus, Phillip Capon brought his Lio- who are his foster children or legal de- sell Sullivan, long-time Senate Finance nel trains. They were a hit! Announce- pendents, many of whom are in college Committee Democratic staff director. ments to the crowd at party’s end in- now or will be soon. cluded “special thanks to the National Olmo-Rivera and Ross Capon at- Association of Railroad Passengers for tended Sullivan’s Jan. 29 farewell party. providing the model trains.” High praise for Sullivan’s professional and philanthropic work came from Fi- At left, from left to right, two children, Senate Finance Committee staffer Jim nance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT); Orrin Frisk, and NARP’s Luis Olmo-Rivera. Hatch (UT), top Republican on Finance; The children enjoyed making it “snow” Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV); on the Lionel trains owned and operat- ed by Phillip Capon, son of NARP Pres. Commerce Chair Jay Rockefeller (D- Ross Capon. At bottom, from left, Frisk, WV), and John Kerry (D-MA), who had Olmo-Rivera, and train owner Capon. just been confirmed as secretary of state. Kerry joked, “Russ is leaving the Senate voluntarily. They just voted me out.” Mark Prater, chief tax counsel for Fi- nance’s Republican staff, called Sullivan businesslike, a builder (of relationships, policy, and a strong culture of ethics and Photos: Ross Capon professionalism), and benevolent. - 2 - Amtrak Plans Many Upgrades for 2013 mtrak begins 2013 with what it der of 130 new single-level sleepers, Train Control on the NEC and Key- Acalls a “robust agenda of infra- diners, baggage cars and baggage-dorm stone Corridor, 2 years ahead of the le- structure upgrade projects, significant cars placed July 2010 (Aug.