BOB2 Wrote:
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> Rather than attacking OCTA one of the best friends
> that rail passengers have in California, maybe
> RailPAC might want to engage in effective actions
> to promote positive public policy for rail
> passenger service. Maybe they could work to
> assure that the rail bonds about to be voted on
> are spent effectively? Or to lobby the Governor's
> office to assure that new cars, which the voters
> voted for, are ordered in a timely manner to
> relieve the now chronic overcrowding on LOSSAN's
> peak travel trains?
I don't know where BOB2 has been, but RailPAC has been doing just what he's suggested. In fact a team of RailPACer we in Sacramento meeting with Division of Rail Staff and lobbying member od the Senate and Assembly about more rail cars and support for new passenger service to Palm Springs/Indio, Redding and Reno.
> Nope, the priority of RailPAC's leadership is to
> whine about two midday trains stopping at two
> stations to test the markets for improved access
> and connectivity, that's a truly effective rail
> passenger advocacy organization, isn't it?
We're concerned about what additional stops by the Surflines will do their running time and ontime proformance. I'm sorry if BOB2 doesn't like it, but RailPAC supports the Surfliners being the defacto express service, making only 2-4 stops between LA & San Diego and the Metrolink and Costers serving as the local rail service. BTW that would required merging Coaster and Metrolink service so as to provide through service between points north (west) and South (East) of Oceanside.
I know this seems crazy, but it's very common in the Northeast Corridor, europe, and Japan and should be considered here. It would greatly reduce running time and increase ridership.
It would be very similar to the Caltrain service with its mix of Express, Limited and Local service.
Anyone interesed in more information can email me at
RicSilver@aol.com