State of Illinois
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
GAO-02-398 Intercity Passenger Rail: Amtrak Needs to Improve Its
United States General Accounting Office Report to the Honorable Ron Wyden GAO U.S. Senate April 2002 INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL Amtrak Needs to Improve Its Decisionmaking Process for Its Route and Service Proposals GAO-02-398 Contents Letter 1 Results in Brief 2 Background 3 Status of the Growth Strategy 6 Amtrak Overestimated Expected Mail and Express Revenue 7 Amtrak Encountered Substantial Difficulties in Expanding Service Over Freight Railroad Tracks 9 Conclusions 13 Recommendation for Executive Action 13 Agency Comments and Our Evaluation 13 Scope and Methodology 16 Appendix I Financial Performance of Amtrak’s Routes, Fiscal Year 2001 18 Appendix II Amtrak Route Actions, January 1995 Through December 2001 20 Appendix III Planned Route and Service Actions Included in the Network Growth Strategy 22 Appendix IV Amtrak’s Process for Evaluating Route and Service Proposals 23 Amtrak’s Consideration of Operating Revenue and Direct Costs 23 Consideration of Capital Costs and Other Financial Issues 24 Appendix V Market-Based Network Analysis Models Used to Estimate Ridership, Revenues, and Costs 26 Models Used to Estimate Ridership and Revenue 26 Models Used to Estimate Costs 27 Page i GAO-02-398 Amtrak’s Route and Service Decisionmaking Appendix VI Comments from the National Railroad Passenger Corporation 28 GAO’s Evaluation 37 Tables Table 1: Status of Network Growth Strategy Route and Service Actions, as of December 31, 2001 7 Table 2: Operating Profit (Loss), Operating Ratio, and Profit (Loss) per Passenger of Each Amtrak Route, Fiscal Year 2001, Ranked by Profit (Loss) 18 Table 3: Planned Network Growth Strategy Route and Service Actions 22 Figure Figure 1: Amtrak’s Route System, as of December 2001 4 Page ii GAO-02-398 Amtrak’s Route and Service Decisionmaking United States General Accounting Office Washington, DC 20548 April 12, 2002 The Honorable Ron Wyden United States Senate Dear Senator Wyden: The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator. -
CP in Minnesota
CP+KCS: THE BETTER OPTION FOR CHICAGO A CP+KCS COMBINATION PROVIDES BOTH THE FLEXIBILITY TO BYPASS CHICAGO AND THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS IN THE CITY, WHICH WILL BE OF ENORMOUS BENEFIT TO CP AND KCS CUSTOMERS. With CP’s network through Iowa and KCS’ connection in Kansas City, our customers would benefit from improved flows between Canada and the U.S. Upper Midwest with Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. We would also create additional capacity for growth in Chicago while unlocking positive environmental benefits through reduced emissions in the city. By contrast, Canadian National Railway’s proposed KCS combination would fail to create these benefits and instead result in increased traffic and congestion for Chicago. FUTUREFORFREIGHT.COM IMPROVED SERVICE & CP’s Chicago Facilities CONNECTIVITY Strategically located northwest of By running south to Chicago and Kansas City – through the Twin downtown Chicago, CP's intermodal Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, and through facilities at Bensenville and Schiller Park Milwaukee – CP offers a direct, single-carrier route between near O’Hare Airport provide direct western Canada and the U.S. Midwest, providing access to Great access to Chicago, northern Illinois, Lakes and Mississippi River ports. southern Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. From La Crosse, Wisconsin, the Central Corridor continues south toward Kansas City via the Quad Cities (Davenport and Three major highways surrounding the Bettendorf in Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline in Illinois), intermodal yards help move cargo to its providing an efficient route for traffic destined for southern U.S. destination faster, while keeping it out and Mexican markets via KCS' network from Kansas City of downtown Chicago. -
40Thanniv Ersary
Spring 2011 • $7 95 FSharing tihe exr periencste of Fastest railways past and present & rsary nive 40th An Things Were Not the Same after May 1, 1971 by George E. Kanary D-Day for Amtrak 5We certainly did not see Turboliners in regular service in Chicago before Amtrak. This train is In mid April, 1971, I was returning from headed for St. Louis in August 1977. —All photos by the author except as noted Seattle, Washington on my favorite train to the Pacific Northwest, the NORTH back into freight service or retire. The what I considered to be an inauspicious COAST LIMITED. For nearly 70 years, friendly stewardess-nurses would find other beginning to the new service. Even the the flagship train of the Northern Pacific employment. The locomotives and cars new name, AMTRAK, was a disappoint - RR, one of the oldest named trains in the would go into the AMTRAK fleet and be ment to me, since I preferred the classier country, had closely followed the route of dispersed country wide, some even winding sounding RAILPAX, which was eliminat - the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804, up running on the other side of the river on ed at nearly the last moment. and was definitely the super scenic way to the Milwaukee Road to the Twin Cities. In addition, wasn’t AMTRAK really Seattle and Portland. My first association That was only one example of the serv - being brought into existence to eliminate with the North Coast Limited dated to ices that would be lost with the advent of the passenger train in America? Didn’t 1948, when I took my first long distance AMTRAK on May 1, 1971. -
Issue of Play on October 4 & 5 at the "The 6 :,53"
I the 'It, 980 6:53 OCTOBER !li AMTRAK... ... now serving BRYAN and LOVELAND ... returns to INDIA,NAPOLIS then turns em away Amtrak's LAKE SHORE LIMITED With appropriate "first trip" is now making regular stops inaugural festivities, Amtrak every day at BRYAN in north introduced daily operation of western Ohio. The westbound its new HOOSIER STATE on the train stops at 11:34am and 1st of October between IND the eastbound train stops at IANAPOLIS and CHICAGO. Sev 8:15pm. eral OARP members were on the Amtrak's SHENANDOAH inaugural trip, including Ray is now stopping daily at a Kline, Dave Marshall and Nick new station stop in suburban Noe. Complimentary champagne Cincinnati. The eastbound was served to all passengers SHENANDOAH stops at LOVELAND and Amtrak public affairs at 7:09pm and the westbound representatives passed out train stops at 8:15am. A m- Amtrak literature. One of trak began both new stops on the Amtrak reps was also pas Sunday, October 26th. Sev sing out OARP brochures! [We eral OARP members were on don't miss an opportunity!] hand at both stations as the Our members reported that the "first trains" rolled in. inaugural round trip was a OARP has supported both new good one, with on-time oper station stops and we are ation the whole way. Tracks glad they have finally come permit 70mph speeds much of about. Both communities are the way and the only rough supportive of their new Am track was noted near Chicago. trak service. How To Find Amtrak held another in its The Station Maps for both series of FAMILY DAYS with BRYAN qnd LOVELAND will be much equipment on public dis fopnd' inside this issue of play on October 4 & 5 at the "the 6 :,53". -
Chicago Union Station Chicago Union Station MASTER DEVELOPER PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW October 2016 July 2015
Next Steps Investing in the Future of Chicago Union Station Chicago Union Station MASTER DEVELOPER PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW October 2016 July 2015 1 Chicago Union Station Operations • 4th busiest station in the Amtrak network; 3.3M passengers in FY15 • Serving more than 300 trains per weekday (Amtrak and Metra) • Serves six of Metra’s eleven routes Planning Goals • Improve circulation and safety • Increase capacity • Enhance customer experience • Improve connectivity Headhouse Building on Corner of Jackson Blvd. and Canal St. Planning Status • Advance near-term improvements from City-led Master Plan • Initiate Master Development Plan Planning Partners • City of Chicago (CDOT), Metra, RTA, IDOT and other stakeholders Great Hall in the Headhouse Building Boarding Lounge in Concourse Building 2 Collaborative Planning Chicago Union Station Master Plan: Released by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) in May, 2012, in collaboration with Amtrak, Metra, RTA and other local and regional stakeholders. Goals of the study included: • Provision of sufficient capacity for current and future ridership demand. • Improved station access, passenger circulation and customer experience. • Improved connections with local and regional buses, transit, taxis and shuttles. • Creation of a catalyst for growth in Chicago and the region, while attracting nearby private development. CDOT Report Released in May, 2012 Restoration of a prominent civic landmark. Recommended near, mid and long-term improvement projects with an estimated program cost of approx. $500M. 3 Phase 1A Overview Phase 1A, the preliminary engineering work for Phase 1 improvement projects, at a cost of $6 million, consists of planning, historic review and preliminary engineering tasks, up to 30% design. In addition, the projects envisioned for Phase 1, in its entirety, is projected to cost in excess of $200 million. -
R0202'11 LSB Research Services Division MG
Rep. McCann offered the following concurrent resolution: House Concurrent Resolution No. 41. A concurrent resolution to urge the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to pursue bicycle friendly policies by providing for bicycles on board trains and bicycle parking in future station plans. Whereas, An efficient, modern, transportation system is a pillar of a healthy economic climate and vital for Michigan's future. All modes of 21st century transportation infrastructure should be made accessible to modern travelers, whether tourists or commuters. Seamless multi-modal connections are essential to facilitate tourism and to allow greater mobility for bike commuters and those without cars. Bicyclists should be able to switch between transportation modes and link trips by bringing bicycles on trains without having to check them as boxed luggage. Bicycle tourism and commuting would be further accommodated with short and long-term bike parking at Amtrak stations. Unfortunately, Amtrak does not allow bicycles on board Michigan routes at this time and bike parking is not always available; and Whereas, Amtrak's routes out of Chicago, the Downstate Illinois Service and Missouri River Runner, offer roll-on bike service; the option to bring bicycles on board, either by storing bikes on board in bike racks, or secured as checked baggage with tie-down equipment (not in a box), and allow folding bicycles on board as carry-on baggage. All three of the Michigan Amtrak routes, The Blue Water, Lake Shore Limited and Pere Marquette lines, use the same equipment as Chicago area trains and would only have to update the reservations system to allow bikes on board in Michigan; and Whereas, Bicycle tourism is a booming industry and many Michigan bike tour events are located in or near cities accessible by Amtrak service. -
Public Input Sought Through June 14 on New Illinois Rail Study
tureKara . State of Illinois JB Pritzker, Governor Illinois Department of Transportation Omer Osman, Acting Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: June 1, 2021 Paul Wappel 217.685.0082 Maria Castaneda 312.447.1919 Public input sought through June 14 on new Illinois rail study SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is inviting the public to comment and offer suggestions on a new study assessing the state’s rail system. The goal of the study is to seek input on current conditions, capacity concerns and safety challenges to help identify potential improvements and solutions. Comments will be collected through June 14 via illinoisrailneeds.org which includes a short video, informational displays and a link to a survey. The information gathered will be used in the development of a statewide rail plan, a requirement of states seeking federal funding under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. It also will serve to inform IDOT’s ongoing Illinois Long-Range Transportation Plan, providing strategic direction for the development of the state’s transportation system. Illinois is the rail hub of North America, the only state in which all seven Class 1 railroads operate. Illinois boasts more than 10,000 miles of track and serves a robust passenger rail network, with Amtrak connecting 30 communities statewide and Metra operating 11 lines in the Chicago area. Under Gov. JB Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, Illinois is making historic investments in both passenger and freight rail, including $500 million to re-establish passenger rail to the Quad Cities and Rockford, $400 million for the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation and Efficiency (CREATE) Program, $100 million for improvements to improve safety and reliability on Amtrak’s Saluki service between Chicago and Carbondale, and $78 million to upgrade rail crossings and improve safety throughout the state. -
Senate Bill Policy Committee Analysis
SJR 30 Page 1 Date of Hearing: August 23, 2018 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION Jim Frazier, Chair SJR 30 (McGuire) – As Introduced August 9, 2018 SENATE VOTE: 33-0 SUBJECT: Amtrak National Network. SUMMARY: Urges the Congress and the President of the United States to support the retention of, and investment in, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) National Network of passenger trains and for Congress to reject the President’s proposed budget cuts to Amtrak. Specifically, this resolution: 1) Makes findings and declarations including the history of Amtrak in the United States and its importance to the State of California that WHEREAS: a) Amtrak was created in 1970 to assume the common carriers’ obligations of the private railroads and provide intercity passenger rail service throughout the United States; and, b) Amtrak’s mission is to deliver intercity transportation that helps move people, the economy, and the nation forward; and, c) Amtrak operates a nationwide rail network, serving more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and three Canadian provinces, in addition to serving as a contractor in various capacities for several commuter rail agencies; and, d) Amtrak National Network trains are often the only form of public transportation available to thousands of small communities nationwide, and are a vital link between urban and rural America; and, e) The State of California has a vested interest in the continued success of the local and national Amtrak network as it is home to three of the -
Amtrak Chicago Area Update
Amtrak Chicago Area Update Amtrak will operate modified schedules for Chicago Hub Services on Tuesday, Jan. 28, following conversations with freight railroads that host Amtrak trains to and from Chicago and in consultation with state transportation departments that sponsor the services. These cancelations are designed to maintain service on most routes while reducing exposure of Amtrak passengers, crews and rail equipment to extreme weather conditions. Passengers are urged to heed the warnings of local officials to use caution making their way to and from stations and to expect delays in bitter cold, gusty winds and blowing snow. A range of tools - including Amtrak.com, smartphone apps and calls to 800-USA-RAIL - are available to assist in travel planning and to provide train status information. The following Amtrak Chicago Hub Services will not be available on Tuesday, Jan. 28: Lincoln Service Trains 300, 301, 306 & 307 are canceled. (Trains 302, 303, 304 & 305 and Trains 21/321 & 22/322 will maintain service on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor) Hiawatha Service Trains 329, 332, 333, 336, 337 & 340 are canceled. (Trains 330, 331, 334, 335, 338, 339, 341 & 342 will maintain service on the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor) Wolverine Service Trains 350 & 355 are canceled. (Trains 351, 352, 353 & 354 will maintain service on the Chicago-Ann Arbor-Detroit/Pontiac corridor) Illinois Zephyr & Carl Sandburg Trains 380 & 381 are canceled. (Amtrak is awaiting word from BNSF Railway Co. regarding service by Trains 382 & 383 on the Chicago-Galesburg-Quincy corridor on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The route was closed by BNSF late Sunday night, leading Trains 380, 381, 382 & 383 to be canceled on Monday, Jan. -
All Aboard Indiana September 2017
ALL INDIANA ABOARD The Official Newsletter of the Volume 4, Number 9 September 2017 IN THIS ISSUE: Coxhead Urges Patience with CSX Page Two USA TODAY Article Tells as “Heat” Turned Up on Railroad Readers: Feds Urging CSX By Donald Yehle To Fix Problems Here’s a summary of the “train delay” situation as it affects the Hoosier State and Cardinal trains. Seven-Day Cardinal Push Taken to State Government “CSX (Transportation) hosts the Hoosier State in Indiana, and the Cardinal in several states. Cardinal On-Time Performance With the new top management at CSX, many organizational changes are being implemented, Lafayette Train Volunteer very rapidly. This has led to severe operational problems at CSX, affecting their freight opera- Speaks Out on Rail Issues tions as well as Amtrak operations,” writes Steve Coxhead, president, Indiana Passenger Rail (continued on p 3-4) Alliance (IPRA). Page Three The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has become concerned and is asking CSX to explain why Lafayette Train Volunteer they are having problems, and when they will be resolved. They have specifically noted the effect CSX internal problems are having on Amtrak service (including the Hoosier State and Cardinal). Speaks Out on Rail Issues Part of the reason for STB concern was the receipt of complaints from shippers’ groups from sev- (story spans p. 2-4) eral industries, to the effect that CSX was not providing reliable freight service. These problems, as occurring across the CSX system, are most likely the cause of the poor performance many of Page Four you have been seeing, he continues. -
Chicago-South Bend-Toledo-Cleveland-Erie-Buffalo-Albany-New York Frequency Expansion Report – Discussion Draft 2 1
Chicago-South Bend-Toledo-Cleveland-Erie-Buffalo- Albany-New York Frequency Expansion Report DISCUSSION DRAFT (Quantified Model Data Subject to Refinement) Table of Contents 1. Project Background: ................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Early Study Efforts and Initial Findings: ................................................................................................ 5 3. Background Data Collection Interviews: ................................................................................................ 6 4. Fixed-Facility Capital Cost Estimate Range Based on Existing Studies: ............................................... 7 5. Selection of Single Route for Refined Analysis and Potential “Proxy” for Other Routes: ................ 9 6. Legal Opinion on Relevant Amtrak Enabling Legislation: ................................................................... 10 7. Sample “Timetable-Format” Schedules of Four Frequency New York-Chicago Service: .............. 12 8. Order-of-Magnitude Capital Cost Estimates for Platform-Related Improvements: ............................ 14 9. Ballpark Station-by-Station Ridership Estimates: ................................................................................... 16 10. Scoping-Level Four Frequency Operating Cost and Revenue Model: .................................................. 18 11. Study Findings and Conclusions: ......................................................................................................... -
Quarterly Report on the Performance and Service Quality of Intercity Passenger Train Operations
Pursuant to Section 207 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432, Division B): Quarterly Report on the Performance and Service Quality of Intercity Passenger Train Operations Covering the Quarter Ended June, 2019 (Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2019) Federal Railroad Administration United States Department of Transportation Published August 2019 Table of Contents (Notes follow on the next page.) Financial Table 1 (A/B): Short-Term Avoidable Operating Costs (Note 1) Table 2 (A/B): Fully Allocated Operating Cost covered by Passenger-Related Revenue Table 3 (A/B): Long-Term Avoidable Operating Loss (Note 1) Table 4 (A/B): Adjusted Loss per Passenger- Mile Table 5: Passenger-Miles per Train-Mile On-Time Performance (Table 6) Test No. 1 Change in Effective Speed Test No. 2 Endpoint OTP Test No. 3 All-Stations OTP Train Delays Train Delays - Off NEC Table 7: Off-NEC Host Responsible Delays per 10,000 Train-Miles Table 8: Off-NEC Amtrak Responsible Delays per 10,000 Train-Miles Train Delays - On NEC Table 9: On-NEC Total Host and Amtrak Responsible Delays per 10,000 Train-Miles Other Service Quality Table 10: Customer Satisfaction Indicator (eCSI) Scores Table 11: Service Interruptions per 10,000 Train-Miles due to Equipment-related Problems Table 12: Complaints Received Table 13: Food-related Complaints Table 14: Personnel-related Complaints Table 15: Equipment-related Complaints Table 16: Station-related Complaints Public Benefits (Table 17) Connectivity Measure Availability of Other Modes Reference Materials Table 18: Route Descriptions Terminology & Definitions Table 19: Delay Code Definitions Table 20: Host Railroad Code Definitions Appendixes A.