NARP/RailPAC had its conference yesterday at Union Station. Buena Park Councilman Art Brown, one of those coming in on Amtrak, noted that even the midday trains were standing room only. Amtak is setting a record which is surpassing $4 gas record set in 2008.

Several also came in on weekend Metrolink trains that had very good ridership (and are threatened with cuts?). And, my trip on the Gold line on Saturday mornng early was just full and in the afternoon back to Pasadena was "sardine" confortable, and could have used the 3rd car, or more frequent service. (a "hint" to those at MTA who read BOB2 and know who I am?)

As more new people have tried these services and find out how they work, we are continuing, even through the worst recession since 1932, to have more people using our trains. Thus, the NARP/RailPAC conference, which was a forum forum calling for reform of the CHSRA and rapid incremental investments for "shared use" by high speed rail and our conventional services was timely. Most speakers, advocates, professionals, and political, overwhelmingly endorsed cost effective "shared use" and called for the CHSRA to focus on real and needed share use investments now.