keelhauled
OBS Chief
The Hoosier State's last run will be on April 1. http://www.jconline.com/story/news/2015/03/06/amtrak-service-end-april/24500857/
They could subcontract to NICTD, for example. The State of Indiana already pays for the operation of an FRA-regulated railroad. This is, as you say, just excuses.That was their plan all along. Every other state has figured out how to run their trains without setting up any unnecessary bureaucracy, so that stupid excuse just says that Indiana DOT is particularly incompetent. That's all.
If Amtrak wanted to be really obtuse and eat some losses, they could create a train that runs from Detroit to Huntington WV, via Chicago, barely meeting the 750 mile requirement, pending the completion of the upgrades on BBRR. Just a completely off the wall random idea, I must admit, with zero possibility for execution.We should see some collateral damage to Cardinal ridership. Hopefully Amtrak will get its act together and make the Cardinal daily sooner rather than later (though I don't think they can do it before 2016 in any case).
Awesome! They could call it "The Gerrymander".If Amtrak wanted to be really obtuse and eat some losses, they could create a train that runs from Detroit to Huntington WV, via Chicago, barely meeting the 750 mile requirement, pending the completion of the upgrades on BBRR. Just a completely off the wall random idea, I must admit, with zero possibility for execution.
To go along with the Blue Water, how about the Crystal Waters? "Back to the middle and around again!" :giggle:Awesome! They could call it "The Gerrymander".If Amtrak wanted to be really obtuse and eat some losses, they could create a train that runs from Detroit to Huntington WV, via Chicago, barely meeting the 750 mile requirement, pending the completion of the upgrades on BBRR. Just a completely off the wall random idea, I must admit, with zero possibility for execution.
Over 20 other states are doing this, it should be not that difficult for IN to do so as well. This INDOT move clears the way - eventually - for a daily Cardinal. I think Amtrak management has not discussed or made any official plans for a daily Cardinal since the PIP report because they wanted to give IN every opportunity to fund the HS with both operating subsidies and capital investments. Any public discussion of a daily Cardinal in IN would have given IN DOT a reason to not support the HS at all, right from the October 1, 2013 changeover.Under new rules that the FRA is testing with Indiana, all states that support passenger rail services would be considered railroad carriers. This burdensome interpretation exposes states to significant increases in cost, paperwork and liability, including:
- Liability for the actions of passenger rail providers up to $200 million for each occurrence of injury, death or property damage,
- Hiring new staff to monitor plans and programs in compliance with federal rules, and
- Interpretation that state employees are rail employees, subject to retirement and employer liability rules and limits.
All it says is Indiana is unwilling to do what every other state with state run trains has been doing. C'est la vie. It is astounding that it took them one year to figure out what their responsibilities are. Perhaps they should have considered all this before all the bravado about we will run our own privately run train operated by an outfit that has never run a train before. Really!
Unless you live there or want to visit.No big loss.
It could be that the problem is not the state but the federal government. As the press release states, the FRA is testing new rules that require the states to be considered railroads. If so, look out. An earlier statement from Indiana quoted by the Lafayette Journal and Courier : "Gov. Mike Pence’s spending recommendation contains language similar to Truitt’s bill, but goes one step further. In addition to funding the service, Pence’s plan authorizes INDOT to purchase rail equipment."So the other shoe drops. Pretty clear that IN DOT was looking for an excuse to not fund the Hoosier State all along. IN DOT press release with more info on their justifications (well, whining excuses). Excerpt:
Over 20 other states are doing this, it should be not that difficult for IN to do so as well. This INDOT move clears the way - eventually - for a daily Cardinal. I think Amtrak management has not discussed or made any official plans for a daily Cardinal since the PIP report because they wanted to give IN every opportunity to fund the HS with both operating subsidies and capital investments. Any public discussion of a daily Cardinal in IN would have given IN DOT a reason to not support the HS at all, right from the October 1, 2013 changeover.Under new rules that the FRA is testing with Indiana, all states that support passenger rail services would be considered railroad carriers. This burdensome interpretation exposes states to significant increases in cost, paperwork and liability, including:
- Liability for the actions of passenger rail providers up to $200 million for each occurrence of injury, death or property damage,
- Hiring new staff to monitor plans and programs in compliance with federal rules, and
- Interpretation that state employees are rail employees, subject to retirement and employer liability rules and limits.
The roadblocks for a daily Cardinal are not just equipment, but the condition of and lack of long sidings on the Buckingham Branch in VA. Indiana could observe that Virginia is providing tens of millions of state funds to the BBRR as a Class 3 short line railroad to get the tracks and signal systems to a state of good repair as an example of how a state government sees value in having a viable and maintained freight rail system. VA is funding $4.9 million towards building a long siding on the BBRR so the 8000' long empty coal trains have a place to pull over on the single track line. Don't know the timeframe for construction of the siding but the second installment is in the FY16 state budget. I think Virginia would be happy to see a daily Cardinal by 2017 - would go nicely with a train to Roanoke and a second Lynchburger.
I wonder how this squares with the postings on trainorders regarding Amtrak pushing FRA, and the undying desire of the InDOT rank and file to make Hoosier State service continue. Very curious.AMTRAK STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT AND CEO JOSEPH BOARDMAN
WASHINGTON -- The following statement is issued today by Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman regarding an announcement made this afternoon by the Indiana Department of Transportation:
"Daily Amtrak service to Indianapolis does not have to end in April. Amtrak has offered to continue to operate the train on a month-to-month basis.
"Amtrak is ready, willing and able to continue to provide safe and reliable service using one of the proven models we've used in other states.
"We have shown how the quality of the passenger experience can be improved by demonstrating modern Wi-Fi and business class seating. We have the expertise in working with the host railroads and have repeatedly offered to be the state's and the communities' partner in advancing plans to improve the travel time and the reliability of the service.
"Experience has proven that losing the foundation that daily service to central Indiana now provides will make it much more difficult and expensive to create a true intercity passenger corridor in the future. Amtrak made it clear in a recent meeting in Washington with Lafayette-area officials that ways to improve this service are within the state's reach, with Amtrak as a proven partner."
Wow that is a song from the past. ^_^To go along with the Blue Water, how about the Crystal Waters? "Back to the middle and around again!" :giggle:Awesome! They could call it "The Gerrymander".If Amtrak wanted to be really obtuse and eat some losses, they could create a train that runs from Detroit to Huntington WV, via Chicago, barely meeting the 750 mile requirement, pending the completion of the upgrades on BBRR. Just a completely off the wall random idea, I must admit, with zero possibility for execution.
It's a terrible line not worthy of any recommendation for visitors or residents.Unless you live there or want to visit.No big loss.
You seriously don't think Indianapolis and Chicago, two major cities in the Midwest, are "worthy" of a daily connection?It's a terrible line not worthy of any recommendation for visitors or residents.Unless you live there or want to visit.No big loss.
Didn't say that. Said that the Hoosier is a terrible line. Terribly slow and terrible times.You seriously don't think Indianapolis and Chicago are "worthy" of a daily connection?It's a terrible line not worthy of any recommendation for visitors or residents.Unless you live there or want to visit.No big loss.
I saw some of those INDOT staff really wanted to keep the HS posts on trainorders. But that does not square with the INDOT press release announcing the end of service coming out on Friday afternoon. Which is the classic time for agencies and companies to put out negative news that they want to have sink with barely a ripple because by Monday the news cycle will have moved on. Perhaps there is a split between the staff at INDOT and what the political appointees & the Governor's office want.I wonder how this squares with the postings on trainorders regarding Amtrak pushing FRA, and the undying desire of the InDOT rank and file to make Hoosier State service continue. Very curious.
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