United Rail Passenger Alliance

Volume 5 Number 8

1. This came floating over the This Week at Amtrak transom from an Amtrak employee, and it’s too important to ignore. This message clearly demonstrates how very dedicated so many Amtrak workers are to their jobs and good passenger service, but are unable to perform because their own company — which demands much from them — will not provide them with the right tools and environment to do their jobs. Read more…

Volume 5 Number 7

COAST STARLIGHT LATE UPDATE: The Los Angeles Times reported at 10 P.M. EST February 19, 2008: Amtrak officials said they will provide coach service between Sacramento and Portland, Oregon, starting February 29th. From Portland, riders can connect with the Cascades service to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Only coach-class service is available, with no dining service provided.

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Volume 5 Number 6

1. (Yawn) It’s that time of year when all sorts of ill-informed people run amuck over Amtrak’s free federal money request. (Gasp!) President Bush, in his final budget request to Congress has requested $900 million for Amtrak, as opposed to the $1.3 billion Amtrak received during the current budget year from the national money trough. While various organizations which support Amtrak for all of the wrong reasons and in all of the wrong ways cry “the sky is falling and the Earth is rushing up to meet it” the wrong headline is being used. Read more…

Volume 5 Number 5

1. Half of a train is better than no train. Amtrak has reversed its decision on annulment of the Coast Starlight due to the mudslide blocking the Union Pacific mainline tracks near Chemult, Oregon. Read more…

Volume 5 Number 4

1. When we last left our thrilling story, we were all breathlessly waiting to hear whether or not Amtrak would reverse its stance on the annulment of the Coast Starlight on its entire 1,377 mile route because of a winter mudslide in January in a remote part of Oregon. Read more…