Amtrak International Operations to Canada
Eastern Border Transportation Coalition May 25, 2011 Brief History
• First Amtrak operations to Canada and Mexico ordered by Congress 1972 – Seattle – Vancouver – “Pacific International” – Washington – Montreal – “Montrealer” – Ft. Worth – Laredo – “Inter-American” • Later additions – New York – Detroit – “Niagara Rainbow” – Chicago – Port Huron – Sarnia – Toronto – “International” – New York – Toronto – “Maple Leaf” • Only one operating today in original form
1 Current Operations
• “Amtrak Cascades” – Portland – Seattle – Vancouver BC – First train since 1995; second train since 2009 • “Maple Leaf” – New York – Niagara Falls – Toronto – Since 1981 replacing a former VIA Rail Canada connection • “Adirondack” – New York – Rouses Point – Montreal – Since 1974 • All are current or prospective state corridor trains under Section 209 of PRIIA • All but second Vancouver train pre-date 9/11
2 Potential Future Operations
• “Vermonter” extension north of St. Albans to Montreal – Tentatively late 2012 – High priority for Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin – Would reconstitute former “Montrealer” but on a daytime schedule • Continental Rail Gateway – New Detroit – Windsor tunnel – After 2014 – Potential Chicago – Detroit – Toronto – Montreal combined Amtrak / VIA Rail Canada corridor
3 International Ridership Annual Monthly
10,000
150
8,000 100 6,000 Northbound Thousands 50 Southbound Riders 4,000 0
2,000
2007 2008 2009 2010
2011* 0 Cascades
(Vancouver) Northbound Southbound
Jul-08 Jul-09 Jul-10
*through March Jul-07
Jan-07 Apr-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jan-10 Apr-10
Oct-06 Oct-07 Oct-08 Oct-09
10,000
70
60 8,000 50 40 6,000
30 Northbound Thousands 20 Southbound Riders 4,000 10 0
2,000
2007 2008 2009 2010
2011* 0
(Toronto)
Maple Leaf Maple Northbound Southbound
Jul-08 Jul-09 Jul-10
*through March Jul-07
Jan-07 Apr-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jan-10 Apr-10
Oct-06 Oct-07 Oct-08 Oct-09
10,000
100 80 8,000 60 6,000
40 Northbound Thousands Southbound 20 Riders 4,000 0
2,000
2007 2008 2009 2010
2011* 0
(Montreal)
Adirondack Northbound Southbound
Jul-07 Jul-08 Jul-09 Jul-10
Jan-07 Apr-07 Jan-08 Apr-08 Jan-09 Apr-09 Jan-10 Apr-10
Oct-07 Oct-08 Oct-09 *through March Oct-06
4 Lack of Process for Border Security
• Customs and Immigration inspection processes evolved locally and independently following 9/11 • Before 9/11 informal on-train screening was satisfactory • Passenger rail does not fit air or highway models • Issues other than terrorism • On train inspection no longer satisfactory from the perspective of border agencies – Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
5 Agency Issues with On-Board Inspection
• Lacks the privacy to properly interview travelers especially about sensitive issues • Inability to clearly match every item of baggage to its owner • Poor connectivity with agency information technologies • Safety and security risks with potentially unruly passengers and officer firearms • Inability to inspect a completely empty train
6 Amtrak Issues with Enroute Off-Board Inspection
• Serious inconvenience to passengers • Unsafe at low platforms especially in bad weather – Elderly and ADA passengers – Passengers carrying infants and small children • Long border dwell times cause longer trip times • All passengers must wait until the last passenger has cleared • Frequent delays would exacerbate poor on-time performance at down-line stations • In conflict with intent of PRIIA to improve on-time performance
7
Possible Solutions
• End point customs and immigration processing in Canada with non-stop closed-door operation north of the border – Vancouver – Montreal • New methods for on-board processing that mitigate concerns of border authorities – Niagara Falls for Toronto
8 More Immediate Issues
• “Amtrak Cascades” at Vancouver – CBSA funding for the second train ends October 31 – New funding must be obtained to avoid discontinuance • “Maple Leaf” at Niagara Falls – Canadian National abandoning Whirlpool Bridge rights – Bridge Commission seeking agreement with new operator – Quick resolution needed before service must be discontinued • “Adirondack” at Montreal – Both CBSA and Amtrak want to do C&I in Montreal – Tentative conceptual plan developed by Amtrak – Funding required to validate concept in Canada – Alternative could be a full offload of passengers and baggage at the border
9 High Speed Rail Overview Federal Investment Highlights (2009-2011)
11 Summary of Federal Investments (2009-2011)
12