United Rail Passenger Alliance

Vol. 2, No. 38 - November 28, 2005

1. Many distinguished Americans have become part of the debate on the future of Amtrak. One of the most venerable voices in the debate is that of Gilbert Carmichael of Meridian, Mississippi, former Federal Railroad Administrator, and former Chairman of the Amtrak Reform Council. Mr. Carmichael shares his thoughts below: Continue Reading »

Vol. 2, No. 37 - November 22, 2005

1. Amtrak is trying what can only be categorized as a bold and worthy experiment on Empire Service trains between Albany, New York and New York City. Amtrak has contracted with the well-known and highly visible Subway restaurant fast food chain to handle food service on the current food-less Empire Service trains as a pilot project. The trains previously had food service, operating from the New York City commissary and a commissary at Albany. However, earlier this year in a cost-cutting move, Amtrak closed the Albany commissary and put the all-coach trains over the road with no food service. The 142 mile route takes just under two and a half hours to run. Continue Reading »

Many distinguished Americans have become part of the debate on the future of Amtrak.

One of the most venerable voices in the debate is that of Gilbert Carmichael of Meridian, Mississippi, former Federal Railroad Administrator, and former Chairman of the Amtrak Reform Council. Mr. Carmichael shares his thoughts below:

Continue Reading »

Vol. 2, No. 36 - November 17, 2005

1. Aaarrrggghh! Harrumph. Good grief. Choose whichever you like best to describe the circus that the Railroad Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure hearings turned into on Tuesday, November 15th. Continue Reading »

By Andrew Selden,
Vice President, Law and Policy
United Rail Passenger Alliance, Inc.

November 10, 2005

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Vol. 2, No. 35 - November 10, 2005

1. In all of the confusion and noise (both intentional and unintentional) generated over the deselection of former Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn yesterday, here are URPA Vice President and guiding light Andrew Selden’s thoughts on a healthy and robust post-David Gunn Amtrak. Continue Reading »

Vol. 2, No. 34 - November 09, 2005

1. Former Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn has left the building. Today, the Amtrak Board of Directors announced that Mr. Gunn has been released by the board and his services are no longer required. Continue Reading »

Vol. 2, No. 33 - November 09, 2005

1. United States Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta issued a press release early this week about last week’s GAO report on Amtrak financial misdeeds. This whole affair has remained relatively low key. As one influential reporter for a daily newspaper commented, “this whole report looks like a yawn; it’s not about real money, not into the billions.” Oddly, to many of us, millions of dollars still constitutes real money. Perhaps one must live outside of Washington to have that perspective about real money. U.S. Department of Transportation to Tighten Oversight of Amtrak Based on GAO Recommendations Continue Reading »

Vol. 2, No. 32 - November 03, 2005

1. Today’s hot off the presses headline comes from the General Accounting Office in Washington, via the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. It’s fascinating reading. Continue Reading »