Just received this tweet:
QuoteDoes your Congressman support eliminating all Amtrak and high speed rail $? The Rep Study Cmte does - member list here http://bit.ly/gTIQOs
You do realize Faye, that the $1.5 Billion dollar Amtrak subsidy does more damage to the national budget then all the other programs put together.
Doesn't look like their leadership will let this be pushed ahead without picking it apart, but be sure that the Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute will fight to keep the cuts for ALL RAIL. Just look who the supporters are and it becomes crystal clear that these two groups DO NOT represent the average American. QuoteFrom your link:
It was not clear Wednesday whether the bill would be pushed hard by leadership, though the prospect seemed unlikely, at least for the moment. Cuts of such magnitude will undoubtedly come under heavy fire from Democrats and liberal interest groups, and Speaker John Boehner has for the most part avoided specific stands on spending cuts, seeking to minimize exposure to attacks from the opposition.
President Obama, in addition, will have the chance in next week’s State of the Union address to speak to a national audience about the country’s fiscal situation, and could point to such cuts as too costly to services for many Americans.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 20, 2011, 02:03:24 PM
You do realize Faye, that the $1.5 Billion dollar Amtrak subsidy does more damage to the national budget then all the other programs put together.
OCKLAWAHA
Wow, you must be kidding right?
Here is a partial list of Republican Study Committee cuts:
QuoteAmtrak Subsidies. $1.565 billion annual savings.
➢ Eliminate duplicative education programs. H.R. 2274 (in last Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon, eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
➢ U.S. Trade Development Agency. $55 million annual savings.
➢ Woodrow Wilson Center Subsidy. $20 million annual savings.
➢ Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding. $47 million annual savings.
➢ John C. Stennis Center Subsidy. $430,000 annual savings.
➢ Community Development Fund. $4.5 billion annual savings.[/b]
➢ Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid. $24 million annual savings.
➢ Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half. $7.5 billion annual savings.
➢ Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20%. $600 million annual savings.
➢ Essential Air Service. $150 million annual savings.
➢ Technology Innovation Program. $70 million annual savings.
➢ Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. $125 million annual savings.
➢ Department of Energy Grants to States for Weatherization. $530 million annual savings.
➢ Beach Replenishment. $95 million annual savings.
➢ New Starts Transit. $2 billion annual savings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/house-gop-gets-specific-on-cuts_n_811557.html
No more trips to Turkey for John Mica!!
And where are the defense budget cuts that even Gates feels are possible, and
where the bulk of our taxpayer dollars go to?
QuoteThe U.S. Department of Defense budget accounted in fiscal year 2010 for about 19% of the United States federal budgeted expenditures and 28% of estimated tax revenues. Including non-DOD expenditures, defense spending was approximately 28â€"38% of budgeted expenditures and 42â€"57% of estimated tax revenues.
Total Defense spending budget for 2011: $1.449 trillionFor a list of all programs spending more than $1.5 billion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
Ok, just seeing how informed we are here...........does anyone know how many military bases the US has around the world?
Most of them got started during the cold war era, are still operational today, and a huge WASTE of money!
if congress stops Amtrak Subsidies how is amtrak going to survive the only lines that will survive is the profible lines and state subsidies lines or amtrak is sold to a company like virgin rail
I bet Virgin Rail would be sweet. You could ride on their train to an airport and get on their plane to a spaceport to get on their rocketplane.
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 20, 2011, 03:26:46 PM
Wow, you must be kidding right?
Here is a partial list of Republican Study Committee cuts:
OF COURSE I WAS KIDDING! Amtrak in it's entire existence isn't a drop in the bucket to the money we blow on EVERYTHING else. At least Amtrak provides a basic accommodation though as an "old time railroader," I'd stop short of calling it a "service." You should have seen the look on the faces in Colombia when I explained that my concept of "on-time" means: the door is open, the steps drop down, and the wheel stops turning, as the second hand sweeps over the 12. None of this on-time "15-30 minute window" bull shit that the airlines use.
I'm not against the military spending nor am I against us having bases around the globe which we generally share with our allies. The military is the most under rewarded jobs and education institution in our country.
But having bases around the world should not equate to having wars around the world, the military because of its structure is the best prepared force in the world to deal with KATRINA type disasters. Of course if your on vacation in El Pueblo Mirage, you can just blow it off.OCKLAWAHA
I was given the 2 page list too....it is one study committe, and most of it will go nowhere (note all previous attempts to dismantle Amtrak)...what is really interesting is that the whole plan saves $2.5 trillion over 10 years, and doesn't include defense spending cuts at all....but the program list only saves about $350 billion over 10 years....virtually nothing in a $3 trillion annual budget.
I will be curious to see what congressmen will co-sponsor this as a bill
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 20, 2011, 03:26:46 PM
Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 20, 2011, 02:03:24 PM
You do realize Faye, that the $1.5 Billion dollar Amtrak subsidy does more damage to the national budget then all the other programs put together.
OCKLAWAHA
Wow, you must be kidding right?
Here is a partial list of Republican Study Committee cuts:
QuoteAmtrak Subsidies. $1.565 billion annual savings.
➢ Eliminate duplicative education programs. H.R. 2274 (in last Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon, eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
➢ U.S. Trade Development Agency. $55 million annual savings.
➢ Woodrow Wilson Center Subsidy. $20 million annual savings.
➢ Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding. $47 million annual savings.
➢ John C. Stennis Center Subsidy. $430,000 annual savings.
➢ Community Development Fund. $4.5 billion annual savings.[/b]
➢ Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid. $24 million annual savings.
➢ Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half. $7.5 billion annual savings.
➢ Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20%. $600 million annual savings.
➢ Essential Air Service. $150 million annual savings.
➢ Technology Innovation Program. $70 million annual savings.
➢ Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. $125 million annual savings.
➢ Department of Energy Grants to States for Weatherization. $530 million annual savings.
➢ Beach Replenishment. $95 million annual savings.
➢ New Starts Transit. $2 billion annual savings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/house-gop-gets-specific-on-cuts_n_811557.html
No more trips to Turkey for John Mica!!
And where are the defense budget cuts that even Gates feels are possible, and where the bulk of our taxpayer dollars go to?
QuoteThe U.S. Department of Defense budget accounted in fiscal year 2010 for about 19% of the United States federal budgeted expenditures and 28% of estimated tax revenues. Including non-DOD expenditures, defense spending was approximately 28â€"38% of budgeted expenditures and 42â€"57% of estimated tax revenues.
Total Defense spending budget for 2011: $1.449 trillion
For a list of all programs spending more than $1.5 billion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
I love how those spineless assholes don't dare mention cutting any military budgets or stopping needless wars, which are the REAL boondoggles of our country. http://costofwar.com/ Any true conservative would have a problem with this, period.
But hell yes. Let's cut basic necessities like transportation, education & healthcare. Yee Haw!
Quote from: peestandingup on January 20, 2011, 09:42:04 PM
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 20, 2011, 03:26:46 PM
Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 20, 2011, 02:03:24 PM
You do realize Faye, that the $1.5 Billion dollar Amtrak subsidy does more damage to the national budget then all the other programs put together.
OCKLAWAHA
Wow, you must be kidding right?
Here is a partial list of Republican Study Committee cuts:
QuoteAmtrak Subsidies. $1.565 billion annual savings.
➢ Eliminate duplicative education programs. H.R. 2274 (in last Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon, eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
➢ U.S. Trade Development Agency. $55 million annual savings.
➢ Woodrow Wilson Center Subsidy. $20 million annual savings.
➢ Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding. $47 million annual savings.
➢ John C. Stennis Center Subsidy. $430,000 annual savings.
➢ Community Development Fund. $4.5 billion annual savings.[/b]
➢ Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid. $24 million annual savings.
➢ Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half. $7.5 billion annual savings.
➢ Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20%. $600 million annual savings.
➢ Essential Air Service. $150 million annual savings.
➢ Technology Innovation Program. $70 million annual savings.
➢ Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. $125 million annual savings.
➢ Department of Energy Grants to States for Weatherization. $530 million annual savings.
➢ Beach Replenishment. $95 million annual savings.
➢ New Starts Transit. $2 billion annual savings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/house-gop-gets-specific-on-cuts_n_811557.html
No more trips to Turkey for John Mica!!
And where are the defense budget cuts that even Gates feels are possible, and where the bulk of our taxpayer dollars go to?
QuoteThe U.S. Department of Defense budget accounted in fiscal year 2010 for about 19% of the United States federal budgeted expenditures and 28% of estimated tax revenues. Including non-DOD expenditures, defense spending was approximately 28â€"38% of budgeted expenditures and 42â€"57% of estimated tax revenues.
Total Defense spending budget for 2011: $1.449 trillion
For a list of all programs spending more than $1.5 billion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
I love how those spineless assholes don't dare mention cutting any military budgets or stopping needless wars, which are the REAL boondoggles of our country. http://costofwar.com/ Any true conservative would have a problem with this, period.
But hell yes. Let's cut basic necessities like transportation, education & healthcare. Yee Haw!
Thank you, peestandingup!
And as usual we don't seem to know or care about the number of military bases the US has around the world!!!!
My Son In Law has served in Iraq, and his unit will be deployed again in Febr., so I do respect our military personel............, that however doesn't excuse the severe wastefulness of, wait for it..................
QuoteThe US Has 761 Military Bases Across the Planet, and We Simply Never Talk About It
mostly relics from the cold war..........but no, we MUST cut education and other social services at home!!!
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 20, 2011, 10:13:28 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on January 20, 2011, 09:42:04 PM
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 20, 2011, 03:26:46 PM
Quote from: Ocklawaha on January 20, 2011, 02:03:24 PM
You do realize Faye, that the $1.5 Billion dollar Amtrak subsidy does more damage to the national budget then all the other programs put together.
OCKLAWAHA
Wow, you must be kidding right?
Here is a partial list of Republican Study Committee cuts:
QuoteAmtrak Subsidies. $1.565 billion annual savings.
➢ Eliminate duplicative education programs. H.R. 2274 (in last Congress), authored by Rep. McKeon, eliminates 68 at a savings of $1.3 billion annually.
➢ U.S. Trade Development Agency. $55 million annual savings.
➢ Woodrow Wilson Center Subsidy. $20 million annual savings.
➢ Cut in half funding for congressional printing and binding. $47 million annual savings.
➢ John C. Stennis Center Subsidy. $430,000 annual savings.
➢ Community Development Fund. $4.5 billion annual savings.[/b]
➢ Heritage Area Grants and Statutory Aid. $24 million annual savings.
➢ Cut Federal Travel Budget in Half. $7.5 billion annual savings.
➢ Trim Federal Vehicle Budget by 20%. $600 million annual savings.
➢ Essential Air Service. $150 million annual savings.
➢ Technology Innovation Program. $70 million annual savings.
➢ Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. $125 million annual savings.
➢ Department of Energy Grants to States for Weatherization. $530 million annual savings.
➢ Beach Replenishment. $95 million annual savings.
➢ New Starts Transit. $2 billion annual savings.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/20/house-gop-gets-specific-on-cuts_n_811557.html
No more trips to Turkey for John Mica!!
And where are the defense budget cuts that even Gates feels are possible, and where the bulk of our taxpayer dollars go to?
QuoteThe U.S. Department of Defense budget accounted in fiscal year 2010 for about 19% of the United States federal budgeted expenditures and 28% of estimated tax revenues. Including non-DOD expenditures, defense spending was approximately 28â€"38% of budgeted expenditures and 42â€"57% of estimated tax revenues.
Total Defense spending budget for 2011: $1.449 trillion
For a list of all programs spending more than $1.5 billion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_budget_of_the_United_States
I love how those spineless assholes don't dare mention cutting any military budgets or stopping needless wars, which are the REAL boondoggles of our country. http://costofwar.com/ Any true conservative would have a problem with this, period.
But hell yes. Let's cut basic necessities like transportation, education & healthcare. Yee Haw!
Thank you, peestandingup!
And as usual we don't seem to know or care about the number of military bases the US has around the world!!!!
My Son In Law has served in Iraq, and his unit will be deployed again in Febr., so I do respect our military personel............, that however doesn't excuse the severe wastefulness of, wait for it..................
QuoteThe US Has 761 Military Bases Across the Planet, and We Simply Never Talk About It
mostly relics from the cold war..........but no, we MUST cut education and other social services at home!!!
Oh of course. God knows we do need a big defense budget (and I do greatly respect our military people), but I'm with you. Some of these things are just plain wasteful & can't be continued, but we keep doing it anyway & no one questions it. This is not the time we need to be empire building all around the world, while our people here at home do without. It's crazy.
It just makes me angry (more like frustrated) when our leaders (or just people in general) make comments about making cuts to these types of things which are SEVERELY needed, yet don't take a step back & look at the bigger picture. Because a lot of the needless stuff we're doing overseas absolutely dwarfs any of that.
Is it any wonder our country is in the financial shape it's in & how far it's behind in these things? I mean, how long can we even keep this up?? I'm just saying, when the country has to borrow money from China just to keep it's own empire going, you know it's time for some major changes.
Quote from: peestandingup on January 21, 2011, 12:39:17 AM
I love how those spineless assholes don't dare mention cutting any military budgets or stopping needless wars, need a big defense budget (and I do greatly respect our military people), but I'm with you. Some of these things are just plain wasteful & can't be continued, but we keep doing it anyway & no one questions it. This is not the time we need to be empire building all around the world, while our people here at home do without. It's crazy.
It just makes me angry (more like frustrated) when our leaders (or just people in general) make comments about making cuts to these types of things which are SEVERELY needed, yet don't take a step back & look at the bigger picture. Because a lot of the needless stuff we're doing overseas absolutely dwarfs any of that.
Is it any wonder our country is in the financial shape it's in & how far it's behind in these things? I mean, how long can we even keep this up?? I'm just saying, when the country has to borrow money from China just to keep it's own empire going, you know it's time for some major changes.
Yeah hopefully this picture will bring it home for the ignorant masses that are austerity minded on needed services but blind to the pervasive waste right in front of them:
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z276/fayeforcure/comparitive_defense_spending.jpg)
When Republicans occupied the Oval Office and ran Congress during the George W. Bush years, some folks were bandying about the idea of privatizing Amtrak. Nothing came from it, though. I took notice of their inaction when it came to the passenger rail system. They do not seem to have much of a solid passenger rail transportation plan.
With all of the hassles of flying and the costs of driving, why don't both political parties cooperate to develop Amtrak as a viable alternative?
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 23, 2011, 03:49:59 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on January 21, 2011, 12:39:17 AM
I love how those spineless assholes don't dare mention cutting any military budgets or stopping needless wars, need a big defense budget (and I do greatly respect our military people), but I'm with you. Some of these things are just plain wasteful & can't be continued, but we keep doing it anyway & no one questions it. This is not the time we need to be empire building all around the world, while our people here at home do without. It's crazy.
It just makes me angry (more like frustrated) when our leaders (or just people in general) make comments about making cuts to these types of things which are SEVERELY needed, yet don't take a step back & look at the bigger picture. Because a lot of the needless stuff we're doing overseas absolutely dwarfs any of that.
Is it any wonder our country is in the financial shape it's in & how far it's behind in these things? I mean, how long can we even keep this up?? I'm just saying, when the country has to borrow money from China just to keep it's own empire going, you know it's time for some major changes.
Yeah hopefully this picture will bring it home for the ignorant masses that are austerity minded on needed services but blind to the pervasive waste right in front of them:
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z276/fayeforcure/comparitive_defense_spending.jpg)
I am pretty sure that graph does not include the operational budgets for Iraq and Afghanistan. On a pathetically sad note, I still hear fools trying to sell the positives of those wars.
Y'all won't talk like this when AMTRAK brings down the whole government, it's obviously a subversive scheme to milk the rich in order to provide transportation for the poor.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: JeffreyS on January 24, 2011, 10:17:47 AM
Quote from: FayeforCure on January 23, 2011, 03:49:59 PM
Yeah hopefully this picture will bring it home for the ignorant masses that are austerity minded on needed services but blind to the pervasive waste right in front of them:
(http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z276/fayeforcure/comparitive_defense_spending.jpg)
I am pretty sure that graph does not include the operational budgets for Iraq and Afghanistan. On a pathetically sad note, I still hear fools trying to sell the positives of those wars.
So true! The wars that are being waged on our national credit card, are kept off budget.
How is it that the stimulus funds were "mortgaging our children's future," but not one peep about "mortgaging our children's future" for the past 9 years waging enless wars?!?!?!
So sad..........INVESTING in our children's future is now contentious, while we continue to invest in destruction ie wars!!!!
QuoteHome /Globe /Opinion /Op-ed Derrick Z. Jackson
Blocking high-speed rail
By Derrick Z. Jackson
Globe Columnist / January 29, 2011
WHEN PRESIDENT Obama proposed in his State of the Union address that 80 percent of Americans should have access to high-speed rail within 25 years, he drew laughter by saying, “For some trips, it will be faster than flying â€" without the pat-down.’’
It will be much faster if we end the political pat-down for high-speed rail itself.
One promising hallmark of the Obama administration was the $8 billion in stimulus funds and $2.5 billion in subsequent grants to jump start high-speed rail projects. Several key Republicans support high speed rail in principle, even if they disagree with Obama and the Democrats on funding mechanisms and focus.
In a hearing this week, Republican Representative John Mica of Florida, the new chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Republican Representative Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, chairman of the subcommittee on railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials, called for massive public-private partnerships way beyond federally subsidized Amtrak to bring true high-speed rail to the Boston-to-Washington Northeast Corridor. Shuster even used the “I-word’’ currently being flayed by many Republicans: “Failing to invest in the critical Northeast Corridor will ensure continued congestion.’’
But too many other Republicans want to derail everything. The new governors of Ohio and Wisconsin gave back $1.2 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail projects, campaigning against them as taxpayer waste.
( Rick Scott could well follow suit)
The Republican Study Committee, a caucus of 175 House Republican conservatives, wants to completely de-fund Amtrak and high-speed rail. Caucus chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio asked in 2009, “Why should we subsidize an industry that will directly compete with the automobile industry, which is so critical to our area?’’
Undeterred by such sentiments and the new Republican majority in the House, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry plans to file legislation in the next few weeks that would boost high-speed rail even more. His general plan calls for the development of a national high-speed railway system with spokes radiating up and down both coasts and across to the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest. The legislation would provide for up to $20 billion in competitive grant funding for projects that deliver train speeds of at least 110 miles per hour and incentives and preferences for projects that can deliver speeds above that.
Kerry said he has started talking with the likes of Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, who recently rejected a new commuter rail tunnel into Manhattan, to see if concepts such as an infrastructure bank can help.
“It’s so obvious that if you can bring trips down in time, we would be wasting less time from families, move products faster, raise property values, and create jobs in a larger area,’’ Kerry said in a telephone interview this week. “It drives me crazy that we’re fighting just to hold on to Amtrak, that we’re arguing to hang on to the infrastructure of our parents and grandparents.’’
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/29/blocking_high_speed_rail/
Unfortunately, we clearly see a Party of Progress vs a Party of Regress
Please keep in mind next time you vote.
QuoteJanuary 21, 2011
House Republicans have fired the opening shots in the budget battles for the upcoming year, and it appears that passenger trains are in the crosshairs.
Republicans are using their newly acquired control of the House to highlight their agenda for cutting government programs. A proposal issued by the Republican Study Committee would cut fiscal 2011 spending back to 2008 levelsâ€"a move the proposal says would save $80 billion.
For Amtrak, this would mean an $88 million reduction in its operations budget (down to $475 million). A further $166 million would be cut from the railroad’s capital budget (cut to $572 million).
[For a more detailed analysis, NARP members can read January’s NARP News lead article, “Current Year Funding in Doubt,†by going to the Members Only section of this Website and clicking on “NARP News in PDF Formatâ€]
More disturbingly, the Republican Study Committee proposal identified Amtrak’s entire annual federal grant of $1.56 billion as a target for elimination, which would bring an end to all intercity passenger train service. The proposal also suggested completely doing away with the high-speed rail program. And it eliminates $2 billion in funding the New Starts transit program, which plays a crucial in developing light-rail and streetcar systems around the country.
Democrats had not responded to the proposal at the time of this publication. But given their control of the Senate, and White House support of many of the programs that face eliminationâ€"Amtrak and high-speed rail includedâ€"the proposal looks to be in no danger of being enacted.
High Speed Rail Under Scrutiny On Multiple Fronts
The new head of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Rail announced yesterday that he intends to hold hearings on the high-speed rail program to extract information from the Federal Railroad Administration on the criteria they used in selecting projects.
The new subcommittee chair, Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA), has accused the FRA of being unresponsive to requests for information on how the applications for grant money were evaluated, and promised “aggressive†oversight of the program.
“They won’t share with us the scores on how they went about doing it, and that leads me to believe they didn’t really use the criteria they should have,†Shuster told reporters. “We intend to find out how they did it.â€
The hearing date has yet to be announced.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bQsuhPJduqQ/TUTbod3Y6RI/AAAAAAAAEKk/FyynlicZICs/s800/amtrak-champions.JPG)
!So we don't all run off the cliff, here is a list of the greatest CHAMPIONS OF RAIL IN AMERICA since 1978!
1978 California State Sen. James R. Mills, President Pro Tempore Devotion to California rail issues
Los Angeles County Supervisor Baxter Ward Work on southern California rail issues
1980 Sen. Birch Bayh (Ind.) Work to preserve Indiana passenger trains
Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt Work on Phoenix commuter service
City of Los Angeles Work on intermodal aspects of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal
Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), chairman of Senate Commerce Committee Work on rail issues
1982 Amtrak
Rep. James Florio (D-N.J.), chairman of House Commerce Transportation Subcommittee Work on Amtrak issues
California Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. Support of new Spirit of California
Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Cal.) Support of California rail projects
City of Anaheim, Cal. New Anaheim Stadium Multimodal Transportation Center
1985 City of Santa Ana, Cal. New Regional Transportation Center
1986 Sen. Mark Andrews (R-N.Dak.), chairman of Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Leading Senate fight to save Amtrak
Rep. Silvio O. Conte (R-Mass.), ranking member House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Support of public transportation
1988 Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), chairman of Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Commitment to passenger trains
Rep. William Lehman (D-Fla.), chairman of House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Work toward balanced transportation
California Assemblyman Jim Costa Development of rail network in California
1989 Rep. Lawrence Coughlin (R-Pa.), ranking member House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Support of Amtrak
1990 Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.) Work to save Chicago-St. Louis corridor
1992 Rep. Al Swift (D-Wash.) Leadership on his bill for a gas-tax penny for Amtrak and a passenger rail trust fund
1993 Sen. George Mitchell (D-Me.) Work toward Boston rail link and Maine service
1994 Gov. William Weld (R-Mass.) Work toward Boston rail link
State Rep. John Businger (D) Work toward Boston rail link
1996 Sen. William V. Roth, Jr. (R-Del.) For work on dedicated funding for Amtrak and ISTEA flexibility for states
1997 Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) For advocacy of intercity passenger rail service outside the Northeast
1998 Sen. John H. Chafee (R-R.I.) For work on ISTEA flexibility for states and improved public transportation
Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.) For work on ISTEA I, Washington Union Station, and dedicated funding for Amtrak
Former Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.) For support of passenger rail during 36 years in Senate, and for "Megalopolis Unbound" (1966) which laid foundation for Northeast Corridor
1999 Gov. Tommy G. Thompson (R-Wis.) Encouraging bi-partisan support for nationwide intercity passenger rail
2000 Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) For hard work to secure for states the right to invest their federal transportation funds on intercity passenger rail projects
Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D.-N.J.) For long, distinguished career of successfully and significantly increasing federal funding for passenger rail nationwide
2002 Sen. Ernest Hollings (D.-S.C.) For advocating saving and upgrading our national intercity passenger rail network and for developing high speed rail corridors
Rep. Jack Quinn (R.-N.Y.) For support of an authorization with adequate funding to continue Amtrak's nationwide network
2003 Sen. Patty Murray (D.-Wash.) For work to prevent shutdown of Amtrak in 2002 and provide reasonable funding in 2003 and strong support for mass transit in general
Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R.-Fla.) For work to prevent shutdown of Amtrak in 2002 and to provide adequate funding for Amtrak in 2003
2004 Sen. Tom Carper (D.-Del.) For work to include rail titles in surface transportation legislation and in general to keep nationwide rail service
Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R.-N.Y.) For work over many years for high speed rail development and for our national rail passenger system
2005 Senator Arlen Specter (R.-Pa) For, "his long service on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Thanks in part to (his) hard work, our national rail passenger system continues to operate and report growing ridership and had reasonable prospects for weathering the current crisis."
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D.-Ore.) For his strong support of Amtrak in Congress, and for working "tirelessly throughout his career in support of light rail and pedestrian-friendly land use planning."
Rep. James L. Oberstar (D.-Minn.) "Representative Oberstar has one of Capitol Hill’s most extensive records in support of a modern transportation system. He has worked tirelessly both in defending Amtrak and in promoting development of world-class high speed rail." (Presented at the NARP Board Meeting in Minneapolis in October)
2006
Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) For his work to complete an Amtrak reauthorization and his defense of a National rail passenger network.
Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) For his tireless work in the Senate to properly fund Amtrak and particularly for his defense of Amtrak's Cardinal.
Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) For his work to raise Amtrak funding last year and continuing efforts to complete a reauthorization bill.
Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) For her work to raise Amtrak funding last year and constant pressure to put out the facts about Amtrak.
2007
Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) For his leadership and committee roles in the House and later the Senate to secure funding for Amtrak, expand state-supported service through Illinois, and protect long-distance trains.
Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) For his steadfast support of both Montana’s Empire Builder and the entire national Amtrak network, and for his chairmanship of the Congressional Rail Caucus.
2008 Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) For being a strong supporter of passenger train development, both intercity and commuter, and for working to save a threatened freight rail line.
Rep. John Olver (D-MA) For consistently being an articulate voice in favor of a balanced transportation system in which passenger trains play a growing role.
2009
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) For his long-time supporter of passenger trains in general and Amtrak in particular and efforts as Majority Leader to get the Amtrak and Rail Safety Bill through Congress at the end of the 110th session.
Rep. John Mica (R-FL) Rep. Mica has made it “a personal mission to see that the United States has world class high-speed trains..." according to the text on the award plaque. As Republican Leader on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commitee, Mica played a key role leading to the October, 2008, enactment of the Rail Safety/Amtrak reauthorization.(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_bQsuhPJduqQ/TUTJjOQRD1I/AAAAAAAAEKM/Vo6xviCksdA/s800/MYtrolleyimage-1.jpg)
Oooopsie, you left out President Obama and Vice President Biden who are strong champions of Amtrak and HSR!!
The great Republicans that had vision like Specter are a thing of the past!
Did you compile the list or is it from NARP?
BTW Mica only supported the Amtrak reauthorization ( that got him that "award"), when it was amended to include a way to work on privatizing the Acela. He always gives corporations generous government handouts......just like in that Orlando CSX commuter rail deal.
This was published in the St. Augustine Record:
QuoteRail travel is good for Florida tourismPosted: January 21, 2011 - 12:00am
By NORMAN DEAN
Editor: Regarding the story in The Record on Tuesday, Jan. 18 concerning Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. John Mica, Scott has no trouble moving around Florida. He has his personal airplane. Mica, I guess, flies at public expense. Both of them should take a look at Europe which has a number of 200 mph trains which connect the major cities. We have 0. The one train in the eastern seaboard, Washington to Boston, which was going to be a fast train is slowed to about 65 mph due to bad track.
The federal government has allocated $2.3 billion for a fast rail from Orlando to Tampa. Now both Scott and Mica want to shoot it down. From what Mica has to say about good rail connection I doubt if he offers help at all for the East Coast passenger line. Fast, good rail, travel will be very good for the tourist industry and should be all the way to New York. Amtrak has to put up with blockage from the freight rail lines not having track suitable for a fast train.
Both Scott and Mica are forgetting that rail travel takes a lot of cars off the road and is the "green" thing to do as it cuts pollution and a lot of foreign oil for gas. It is time for Scott and Mica to wake up.
I have friends who live in Europe and use the trains and they tell me that they are comfortable as well as far faster than driving.
Norman Dean
St. Augustine
http://staugustine.com/opinions/2011-01-20/letter-rail-travel-good-florida-tourism
Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...
I find it hard to believe you actually talk to republicans GG... None that I speak to say anything remotely like that. In fact... Most I have talked to are fairly satisfied with Obama so far. There are definately areas of disagreement.
Quote2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...
You are part of the problem... IMHO... :)
The list was originally compiled by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAIL PASSENGERS (NARP), I went though and removed their own people from it and added the color for clarity.
Obama has not made the cut with Amtrak yet as he has funded HSR but has not made an actual $ move to change Amtraks position beyond that which was approved by the Lott (R) - Lautenberg (D) Amtrak bill.
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Garden guy on January 30, 2011, 06:55:14 AM
Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...
Really? Go back and count the Republicans that have made a difference for passenger rail. The list tells a different story, though I tend to agree somewhat with Faye that whenever there is trouble on the rail funding front, it is almost always from a Republican. I think the point we're making is that not ALL of them think alike, and they won't walk in lock step - which is a good thing for those of us on a different team.
Governor Scott on the other hand doesn't seem to be pro rail or anti rail rather he is "arail." OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Garden guy on January 30, 2011, 06:55:14 AM
Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...
So true. I find it funny how paranoid Republican voters are of government when super wealthy Republican operatives control our government outright:
QuoteThe Koch Brothers, billionaires who have generously funded conservative and libertarian causes for over a generation â€" including the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and tea party groups like Americans for Prosperity â€" put together an annual meeting, typically held in the California desert, with fellow corporate CEOs and conservative operatives, to plan the year ahead. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain were reputed to attend the gathering at the sprawling Rancho Las Palmas resort.
I wonder if Rick Scott is getting his marching orders from this group as well!
::) Speaking of paranoid... ::)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on January 31, 2011, 09:41:59 AM
::) Speaking of paranoid... ::)
BT, you still don't know we have the best government money can buy?
If you still don't know that, you need a reality check.
QuoteRick Scott has spent more than $50 million ($50.2 million) on his primary campaign for governor
$73 million bought him the governorship!!
That "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is just a distraction.
Sure thing Faye... ::)
QuoteRick Scott has spent more than $50 million ($50.2 million) on his primary campaign for governor
$73 million bought him the governorship!!
And if democrats would have bothered to cast their votes instead of whatever they decided to do on election day... he would have easily lost.
It is time you blame yourselves for Rick Scott... ;)
I do believe we Democrats failed on election day but no matter what no one should have voted for Scott. Let's have some morals. I do appreciate that many Republicans crossed the line even though they still hold conservative views.
On another note the fact that he is a criminal may not prevent him from governing effectively.
Is Amtrak successful? I would find it hard to believe. I wanted to take the train to CA last year, it was going to take two weeks round trip and cost $200 more than an airline ticket. I can't imagine that being a self sustaining type of business. I can't imagine too many people choosing this option over car, bus, or air. I love trains, and take them all the time when I am up in the NW, and even along the coast of CA....but for long distance travel Amtrak is not viable as is.
Quote from: uptowngirl on January 31, 2011, 12:23:22 PM
Is Amtrak successful? I would find it hard to believe. I wanted to take the train to CA last year, it was going to take two weeks round trip and cost $200 more than an airline ticket. I can't imagine that being a self sustaining type of business. I can't imagine too many people choosing this option over car, bus, or air. I love trains, and take them all the time when I am up in the NW, and even along the coast of CA....but for long distance travel Amtrak is not viable as is.
The point that is constantly missed is that a single long distance train can serve several 100-500 mile corridors. The California Zephyr serves Chicago-Omaha, Chicago-Denver, Denver-Grand Junction, Denver-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City-Reno, Reno-Sacramento-Bay Area. Due to mountain passages and deserts it is also possible to schedule most of these trains to hit those prime corridors in "prime time." Where Amtrak fails completely is too few routes, and too few trains on the routes it does have. With frequency the price per train is lower, just as a Wal-Mart can sell bread at a better price then 7-11. OCKLAWAHA
exactly Ock....which is similar to why airlines went to a hub and spoke system a few decades ago....while I may want to go from Jax. to Philly, being routed through Atlanta provides infinitely more possibilities for travellers and revenue for the airlines
Works great for air, but won't work well for surface transportation. Nobody should be forced to go to the Orlando Airport Station to get to Deland, when their train has to pass through Deland to get there.
OCKLAWAHA
I wasn't suggesting that hub and spoke is necessarily good for rail...just that it opened up airline flights to travellers of multiple destinations....just like a long-distance rail line does.
Quote from: uptowngirl on January 31, 2011, 12:23:22 PM
Is Amtrak successful? I would find it hard to believe. I wanted to take the train to CA last year, it was going to take two weeks round trip and cost $200 more than an airline ticket. I can't imagine that being a self sustaining type of business. I can't imagine too many people choosing this option over car, bus, or air. I love trains, and take them all the time when I am up in the NW, and even along the coast of CA....but for long distance travel Amtrak is not viable as is.
$200??
My wife and I went to Seattle by air but had checked into going via Amtrak. It would have cost us
$2,000 more to go by train.
I agree that air is the obvious JAX to SEATTLE choice. However, unless you are moving to Seattle, I don't know why you'd choose to sit in a car for three long (1,000 miles/day) days over relaxing/reading/drinking in a train for three (almost four). If you've got somewhere to be, trains make no sense over (very) long distances. But, if time is not an issue, even long distances are great. I'm taking the train from Philly to Orlando to catch three spring training games at the end of March. Tickets were cheaper than AirTran, though that wasn't the reason we decided to take the train. Can't wait.
Two weeks to get to California? By train or ship? It takes less than four to get to Seattle, by way of D.C. and Chicago. And a one-way ticket to Seattle on Amtrak is typically less than $300 if you book more than 14-days in advance, but if someone is willing to pay $2,000, let 'em!
Well what is the tax payor subsidizing? I love trains-but the only trains that work for normal non-retired human beings are interstate, in places of heavy traffic volume. Will the tax payor funds be used to correct this? or will it be used to subsidize the existing system? If the existing commuter and cargo system ca't support itself by this time, it does not seem to make sense to throw more good money after bad? I love trains, and I know most here are passionate about them-so convice the non-believers why they should pony up when they have not been able to utilize this service in the past?
huh?
Bottom line is all forms of transportation in this country are subsidized.....for example, imagine how bad the airlines and airports would be without the "departure/passenger facility fee".
As for intercity rail as we know it today (i.e., Amtrak)....its short distance northeast corridor trains basically break even or make a small profit....the subsidies are in 2 forms:
1. Long distance trains - in many cases, Amtrak wants to cut service to far out places like Montana....but then the congress people from those places refuse...so the subsidy remains....just check out how much the taxpayer spends to keep small airports in remote parts of Alaska going
2. State corridor service - many states (like PA, CA, and NC) provide Amtrak with additional subsidies to provide additional service...for example, say Amtrak would run 2 trains a day between San Diego and L.A...California provides additional funding so there is a train every 60-90 minutes.
As for commuter rail, it can be handled in several ways....some of it can be done using Amtrak....such as if/when the FEC route is restored with 2 trains a day, Florida has proposed to fund an additional 4 trains a day....so that would be 6 trains each day that could carry commuters in northeast Florida between Palm Coast, St. Augustine, & Jacksonville.
The other option is for a local (JTA) or regional (like TriRail) entity to provide commuter service....this would include additional stops between St. Augustine and Jax...like Racetrack Road, the Avenues, JTB, and San Marco....in this option, commuter rail stations can be a part fo reshaping the development form/pattern.
If we don't invest more in rail locally, regionally, and nationally it just means more clogged airports/runways and highways....or trillions spent upgrading/widening them or building new ones.
Most your examples are state specific and should be funded by state taxes, which was my whole point. FL should not have to pay for a commuter train between PHL and NYC. Long distance trains should be funded with national funds (when it makes sense) and it should be HSR. People will pay if they can use it, but people with schedules normally can't spend a week or two crossing the country and paying more for it. My argument is not against paying for rail, my argument is we need to apply those funds in a way that makes sense, and to date we have not. We need to start being smart with our money, there is not a lot to go around.
uptowngirl....nobody said anything about commuter rail between PHL and NYC being funded by state taxes in Florida....the Amtrak system is funded with Federal tax dollars.....the only exceptions are the enhanced corridor services requested by and paid for by specific states.
Quote$704.00 estimated 98 Silver Meteor
2011-04-04T17:33:00.000-04:00 Jacksonville, FL
Jacksonville
(JAX)
Departs: 5:33 PM
Mon Apr 04 2011
Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
Station News Arrives: 7:46 AM
Tue Apr 05 2011
Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Station News PT93H52M Duration: 14 hr, 13 min Amenities
Seat 2 Reserved Coach Seats
29 Capitol Limited
Departs: 4:05 PM
Tue Apr 05 2011
Washington, DC - Union Station (WAS)
Station News Arrives: 8:45 AM
Wed Apr 06 2011
Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Station News Duration: 17 hr, 40 min Amenities
Seat 2 Reserved Coach Seats Seat 2 Lower Level Coach Seats
3 Southwest Chief
Departs: 2:45 PM
Wed Apr 06 2011
Chicago, IL - Union Station (CHI)
Station News Arrives: 8:15 AM
Fri Apr 08 2011
Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)
Station News Duration: 43 hr, 30 min Amenities
768 Pacific Surfliner
Departs: 9:40 AM
Fri Apr 08 2011
Los Angeles, CA - Union Station (LAX)
Station News Arrives: 12:25 PM
Fri Apr 08 2011
San Diego, CA (SAN) San Diego, CA
San Diego
(SAN)
Station News Duration: 2 hr, 45 min Amenities
v/s
Quote$393
Economy
Continental /
Multiple Airlines JAX
CO JAX 6:00p SAN 10:34p 6:00p
SAN
MULT SAN 9:35p JAX 9:12a 9:35p
SAN 10:34p
JAX 9:12a
7h 34m 1
8h 37m 2
$420
Economy
Continental /
United JAX
CO JAX 6:00p SAN 10:34p 6:00p
SAN
UA SAN 11:11a JAX 10:58p 11:11a
SAN 10:34p
JAX 10:58p
7h 34m 1
8h 47m 2
$428
Economy
Continental JAX
CO JAX 6:00p SAN 10:34p 6:00p
SAN
CO SAN 11:11a JAX 10:58p 11:11a
SAN 10:34p
JAX 10:58p
7h 34m 1
8h 47m 2
I don't see any advantage - the train is one way, air is roundtrip.
People make the mistake in assuming that every city has an airport with commercial flights that fly to anyplace you want to go. The true advantage of intercity rail is the direct linkage of small and midsized communities that don't have major airports that offer cheaper direct flights between each other (there are a ton of places like this across the country).
Let's take a trip between Winter Haven, FL (metro pop. around 600,000) and Charleston, SC (metro pop. around 660,000), for example. Both of these metros are of decent size but only one has an airport with commercial flights.
On Amtrak, that 9 hour/18 minute trip will cost you $60 each way. I could fly US Airways to Charleston for $443 roundtrip. Since there's no direct flight, I'll have to switch to another plane in Charlotte, which makes the total air time 3hr 18 minutes. Then I'll have to add an hour's drive to Orlando's airport (assuming there's no traffic congestion) plus be there no less than an hour early to ensure I make it through the security check line in time to board the flight. That hour's drive to the airport will cost me in gas, not to mention the daily fee for leaving my car in the airport's garage or long term parking lot adjacent to the airport. So to fly, I end up paying probably three times as much to save what amounts to about hour or two in travel time.
Another option would be to make the 436 mile drive (estimated to take 7hr 43 mins) to Charleston. One trip to the pump will cost most around $50 and roundtrip, you'll fill up at least three or four times. Plus, once I get to Charleston, due to its urban nature, the car becomes a hassle that will cost me more time/money for finding and paying for parking.
My last option would be to take Greyhound. I can get an online deal for $95 each way, if I drive 15 miles west to Lakeland. However the trip on the bus is estimated to take 15hr, 35 min.
also...westsider's post is a bit misleading
I just checked Amtrak's website for trips between Jax and DC this Saturday...the Silver Star is $95 one-way and the Silver Meteor is $124
meanwhile a one-way flight on AirTran to Regan National is $326 before fees
Quote from: uptowngirl on February 01, 2011, 07:45:27 AM
Well what is the tax payor subsidizing? I love trains-but the only trains that work for normal non-retired human beings are interstate, in places of heavy traffic volume. Will the tax payor funds be used to correct this? or will it be used to subsidize the existing system? If the existing commuter and cargo system ca't support itself by this time, it does not seem to make sense to throw more good money after bad? I love trains, and I know most here are passionate about them-so convice the non-believers why they should pony up when they have not been able to utilize this service in the past?
Interstate? Commuter trains? I think what we have here is a failure to communicate. Trains within a state are intra-state, while those crossing state lines are interstate, thus we have an interstate highway system. A highway system that is paid for with my tax dollars. Why should I pay for a road that you might use, but not pay for a train that TUFSU can use?
Also, Westsider, your definition of travel is actually just a trip, and there is a difference. It might be 14 hours on the train to Washington, but consider that I can leave this afternoon, have a leisurely meal in a restaurant with changing views, go to a private room, sleep in a bed, wake up and have breakfast and step off the train in Washington. Meanwhile you beat me, you probably slept at home, rushed to the airport, paid extra for a bag, went through a body search, got on a plane, ate a bag of peanuts along the way, and got off in Washington later in the morning then I did. Of course the choice is yours as long as we keep funding highway, airline, AND railroad travel. OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 01, 2011, 11:01:56 AM
also...westsider's post is a bit misleading
I just checked Amtrak's website for trips between Jax and DC this Saturday...the Silver Star is $95 one-way and the Silver Meteor is $124
meanwhile a one-way flight on AirTran to Regan National is $326 before fees
I was using something similar to Ralph W
Quote from: thelakelander on February 01, 2011, 10:17:41 AM
People make the mistake in assuming that every city has an airport with commercial flights that fly to anyplace you want to go. The true advantage of intercity rail is the direct linkage of small and midsized communities that don't have major airports that offer cheaper direct flights between each other (there are a ton of places like this across the country).
Let's take a trip between Winter Haven, FL (metro pop. around 600,000) and Charleston, SC (metro pop. around 660,000), for example. Both of these metros are of decent size but only one has an airport with commercial flights.
On Amtrak, that 9 hour/18 minute trip will cost you $60 each way. I could fly US Airways to Charleston for $443 roundtrip. Since there's no direct flight, I'll have to switch to another plane in Charlotte, which makes the total air time 3hr 18 minutes. Then I'll have to add an hour's drive to Orlando's airport (assuming there's no traffic congestion) plus be there no less than an hour early to ensure I make it through the security check line in time to board the flight. That hour's drive to the airport will cost me in gas, not to mention the daily fee for leaving my car in the airport's garage or long term parking lot adjacent to the airport. So to fly, I end up paying probably three times as much to save what amounts to about hour or two in travel time.
Another option would be to make the 436 mile drive (estimated to take 7hr 43 mins) to Charleston. One trip to the pump will cost most around $50 and roundtrip, you'll fill up at least three or four times. Plus, once I get to Charleston, due to its urban nature, the car becomes a hassle that will cost me more time/money for finding and paying for parking.
My last option would be to take Greyhound. I can get an online deal for $95 each way, if I drive 15 miles west to Lakeland. However the trip on the bus is estimated to take 15hr, 35 min.
And this SHOULD be part of the discussion. Faye scoffs when someone tells her the case for these various rail projects has NOT BEEN MADE WELL. Based on Lakes info alone it is clear AMTRAK does a perfectly crappy job of advertising these sorts of things. Looks to me like AMTRAK does a poor job of competing with airlines... because it does a poor job of actually trying to compete.
It would be interesting to note BT that I am in D.C. 2 or 3 times a year and there are always Amtrak commercials on TV. So they have some advertising budget but they are only using it (In my observation) in areas where their service is already heavily utilized. Get the word out Amtrak take BT's advice and try to compete.
Amtrak also had an ad at Everbank Field this year...it was at the top of the north end zone.
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 01, 2011, 04:16:18 PM
Amtrak also had an ad at Everbank Field this year...it was at the top of the north end zone.
That's one ad I'll never see.
I wonder if any of those ads register with sports fans. It may be there in your face but the real action is not up but down on the field.
The best advertising for Amtrak would be to move the passenger rail station back downtown. The current station (Clifford Lane) serves no real purpose except to keep Amtrak a secret from most North Floridians...
Quote from: Ralph W on February 01, 2011, 04:51:57 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on February 01, 2011, 04:16:18 PM
Amtrak also had an ad at Everbank Field this year...it was at the top of the north end zone.
That's one ad I'll never see.
I wonder if any of those ads register with sports fans. It may be there in your face but the real action is not up but down on the field.
well it is just above the uprights...and just below the scorboard...so I would assume yes
Lakes "ad" is the type of thing I mean. How about some public service announcements. Those of us who support rail simply have not done a very good job convincing "the doubters" that rail is a good investment...
TheLakelander...
QuoteOn Amtrak, that 9 hour/18 minute trip will cost you $60 each way. I could fly US Airways to Charleston for $443 roundtrip. Since there's no direct flight, I'll have to switch to another plane in Charlotte, which makes the total air time 3hr 18 minutes. Then I'll have to add an hour's drive to Orlando's airport (assuming there's no traffic congestion) plus be there no less than an hour early to ensure I make it through the security check line in time to board the flight. That hour's drive to the airport will cost me in gas, not to mention the daily fee for leaving my car in the airport's garage or long term parking lot adjacent to the airport. So to fly, I end up paying probably three times as much to save what amounts to about hour or two in travel time.
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSENO7eUpFc8JAOz1FCpVzBbvPUKE2Jhxefrilhm4vei72tG-A35g)
(http://t2.gstatic.comimages?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxx2tgAW0Fb1zxU2QdVEvsNUOAc9seonQbWVm7ua7S9yn7vaW2)
(http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfvSuAkFvVIEd4xLOQDLjHzzCSSgQyra58DpnlbvBlK9h5vVty)
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxx2tgAW0Fb1zxU2QdVEvsNUOAc9seonQbWVm7ua7S9yn7vaW2)
Blah blah blah...we had plenty of surplus cash until the republicans gave it all away and ran this country into the pits.and took us into wars that will last another 100 years....why should i listen to anything a republican has to say...just sayin'
AMTRAK! AMTRAK! AMTRAK!
RIDE THE TRAIN
RIDE THE TRAIN
RIDE THE TRAIN
RED WHITE BLUE
GI ISSUE
This is your typical Amtrak advertisement and they completely miss targeted market ads in favor of generic one ad fits all advertising which I think is almost useless. Get on the air and tell us you can go from Jax to Tampa, or Miami, or Charleston, or Savannah, or Orlando (though for the life of me, I don't know WHY you'd want to go there). Tell me how much it will cost and when the train leaves, and where the stations are.
Do it on a bus bench
Do it on a match book
Do it on the Late Late show
But if you want to do it good
Do it like you should
Do it so everyone will know
OCKLAWAHA
Quote from: Garden guy on February 01, 2011, 09:10:15 PM
Blah blah blah...we had plenty of surplus cash until the republicans gave it all away and ran this country into the pits.and took us into wars that will last another 100 years....why should i listen to anything a republican has to say...just sayin'
And a great morning to you too!
I want to ride the train, not sure why it is coming across that I do not. But to ride the train I should be able to go onto the AmTrak website and enter where I want to go, when I want to go, what times I would like, and choose one way or round trip, I should also be able to select my seat/car/sleeper and I should be returned my options. The options should be clear, concise, and I should get the full price for the options I select. That is not what happens. For the trip I tried to take west I could not select a sleeper car without calling, I could select types of seats, but not specific seats, I was going to have to take a bus along a couple of the routes, it was going to take me about a week each way, and it was going to cost me around $850 one-way- per the website. Now I can pick up the phone and call and talk to someone explaining what I want, and perhaps i could of gotten a better deal-but that is not how I book my travel. If the website is not easy to use I feel their whole system is most likely going to have issues. Until I can get from FL to in less than a week, for less than $800, and book my travel easily from their website on my phone or laptop it is not worth my while. We keep throwing money at these guys and they keep giving us crap. Now I will admit if I am jumping the train from JAX to says Orlando or Tampa it is a breeze, anything more than that is total pain in the rear end and too time consuming and expensive. Lets fund HSR, when the peeps running the trains now get a clue.
BTW I drive to CLT and back all the time on about a tank and half to two tanks of gas, three or four tanks of gas? You must have an SUV.
@ uptowngirl --- i have never had any serious problems with making reservations on the amtrak web site or reservation phone line (aka 'julie'). i wish i could be available to help you out in person. i love taking the train if only for the pleasure of being able to travel without being personally violated or having to pay a king's ransom for my baggage! : )
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 02, 2011, 06:36:33 AM
Quote from: Garden guy on February 01, 2011, 09:10:15 PM
Blah blah blah...we had plenty of surplus cash until the republicans gave it all away and ran this country into the pits.and took us into wars that will last another 100 years....why should i listen to anything a republican has to say...just sayin'
And a great morning to you too!
And a good morning to you also Mr. Troll..
Quote from: uptowngirl on February 02, 2011, 07:45:19 AM
Now I can pick up the phone and call and talk to someone explaining what I want, and perhaps i could of gotten a better deal-but that is not how I book my travel. If the website is not easy to use I feel their whole system is most likely going to have issues. Until I can get from FL to in less than a week, for less than $800, and book my travel easily from their website on my phone or laptop it is not worth my while.
Having a good transportation network is all about having choices. If you're going cross country and you're in a city that presents multiple options for doing that, take advantage of the one that best fits your desired requirements.
QuoteWe keep throwing money at these guys and they keep giving us crap. Now I will admit if I am jumping the train from JAX to says Orlando or Tampa it is a breeze, anything more than that is total pain in the rear end and too time consuming and expensive. Lets fund HSR, when the peeps running the trains now get a clue.
You can't apply a one size fits all to transportation and not even modes such as rail. Amtrak's main problem is that it is run by a government that has set it up to fail. However, not all intercity lines are operated under Amtrak's conditions. Also, from my understanding, many of the proposed HSR lines will be operated by different entities, so we'll have to look at them on a case-by-case basis?
QuoteBTW I drive to CLT and back all the time on about a tank and half to two tanks of gas, three or four tanks of gas? You must have an SUV.
My example mentioned above was from Winter Haven, FL to Charleston, SC. According to Google Earth, that's a distance of about 436 miles. A trip between Jax and Charlotte is 383 miles, all of which can be done on non-congested limited access highways. A drive from Winter Haven to Charleston will involve taking I-4 through the entire Orlando metropolitan area (getting caught in stop/go traffic on I-4 in Orlando/Disney is a high possibility), I-95 through Jacksonville and about an hour's drive down US 17, between Ridgeland, SC and Charleston, SC (must frequently slow down to avoid speed traps in small towns). Factor in those differences and you'll be paying more at the pump.
Thanks Lake! I really, really want HSR, I would prefer to take the train over flying or driving (even across town!) I am hopeful some other entity maybe able to pull this off.
My comments as to the Amtrak website were specific to cross country travel, other travel options were much cleaner and easier to book on line. For instance from JAX to NOLA was easy enough, or JAX up North was easy enough. It is when you cross the Mississippi that things become complicated and the reservation system made no sense. I do not even mind switching trains, but that meant going from a cabin to a seat to a cabin to a bus :-(
Amtrak is a mess, if trying to go west from Jacksonville.
(http://www.themegaworldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/routes_rough_map.jpg)
Based on the map HSR looks like it would work best with Chicago as the hub with routes to LA, SF and NOLA...
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 02, 2011, 09:21:19 AM
Based on the map HSR looks like it would work best with Chicago as the hub with routes to LA, SF and NOLA...
wait...are you suggesting that Chicago is the rail hub of this country? Blasphemy!
Chicago is under 17 inches of snow at the moment.
Hish speed snow plow for that hi speed train... :D
Quote from: Ocklawaha on February 01, 2011, 10:59:44 PM
AMTRAK! AMTRAK! AMTRAK!
RIDE THE TRAIN
RIDE THE TRAIN
RIDE THE TRAIN
RED WHITE BLUE
GI ISSUE
This is your typical Amtrak advertisement and they completely miss targeted market ads in favor of generic one ad fits all advertising which I think is almost useless. Get on the air and tell us you can go from Jax to Tampa, or Miami, or Charleston, or Savannah, or Orlando (though for the life of me, I don't know WHY you'd want to go there). Tell me how much it will cost and when the train leaves, and where the stations are.
Do it on a bus bench
Do it on a match book
Do it on the Late Late show
But if you want to do it good
Do it like you should
Do it so everyone will know
OCKLAWAHA
Ride the train, ride the train
Anywhere I'm going I ride the train....
Sleepin' in a boxcar when it rains.
Ride the tra-a-ain, ride the train.
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/CRITICAL%20Maps/amtrak-routes_missing-trains-added.jpg)
Amtrak map showing trains cut off during Amtrak budget fights as restored.
(http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/Ocklawaha/amtrak-routes_missing-andneeded-trains-added.jpg)
Amtrak map showing trains both cut off and being studied.
Now about that joke TUFSU, you are correct that Chicago is, was, and always will be the center of US long distance rail travel, but as you can see from the map, a certain city in NE Florida is Queen of the South!
OCKLAWAHA
no disagreement ock...Jax. and Atlanta seem to be the prime candidates in the southeast....but I've heard some people say that Jacksonville can be a bigger rail hub than Chicago....and it seems really hard to believe
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 02, 2011, 10:36:57 AM
Hish speed snow plow for that hi speed train... :D
http://www.youtube.com/v/lio3btp_1Yk?fs=1&hl=en_US
Maybe so BT, but then again, maybe not!OCKLAWAHA