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portland running routes Our Group's Goals
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I agree. Improve running times and we gain ridership. It's interesting that the Starlites have been allowed to spend less than their scheduled dwell time in stations in order to make up time. As shown from this, shortened dwell times in each station incrementally shaves off the running time. Below are some random notes about the dwell times: * Shorten the dwell time in EMY. Although EMY is the connection to San Francisco and there is usually a significant amount of checked baggage handled here, the baggage is usually able to be handled on one cart. With EMY is only five miles away from OKJ, there is no need for a smoke break here. One other problem that has occurred frequently lately is that Train 11 is often times in the station either at the same time, right before or right after the California Zephyr is in the station preparing to leave for Chicago. This problem will play out on it's own (hopefully) when the CA Zephyr completely returns to it's old schedule. * OKJ - I'd say that the time in OKJ is needed. Trains are met by the commissary here to restock the Dining and Cafe Cars. Sometimes private cars are added here. Perfect smoke break station. One thing that could shorten the dwell time in OKJ - ensure that the commissary is on-time and waiting for the train. * SJC - 12 minutes is not needed here. I'd say somewhere between 5 (8 tops) minutes are needed here to load baggage. Quick smoke break also I suppose, as the next station is Salinas. * Portland - Does anyone know why Portland needs 35 minutes going Southbound and 30 minutes going Northbound? That's a long time to be stopped in one station. * It would be great if at OKJ or SAC the windows were cleaned on the outside. Perhaps someone from the Oakland Yard could be sent over with the commissary truck to do this? Amtrak should also work with Union Pacific to start taking out some of the buffer time along the route. It will be interesting to watch as Amtrak California and Union Pacific complete some of the track and signal projects on the Coast Line to begin preparing for the addition of the Coast Daylight, if the running time will shorten some. Did anyone else notice in the month's Trains Magazine Map of the Month that the Coast Line is currently below capacity? With the line below capacity, why do we often experience the delays and running times that we do? With the majority of delays being train meets, perhaps longer (or more frequent) sidings are needed so that we can at least make the running times that the old Daylight used to make between the Bay Area and LAX. - Jarrod
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portland running routes Our Group's Goals
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much, and that results in those left not always being in the best _frame_ of mind. And, quite honestly, even management is under stress with their limited budget, and having to battle the administration for even the meager crumbs they get. Seems like Congress is willing to consider bailing out the airlines and their bankrupt pension funds without batting an eyelash, but they have to debate whether to override the Bush administration's constant low ball numbers for Amtrak. Not knowing from year to year if your pink slip is just around the corner is not exactly a morale builder. On the college student issue, I agree! I live near CSUN and will explore ways to get the word out there. Also, the Van Nuys station is a CS stop now that the platform was lengthened and that's only a short Metro Bus ride from CSUN - and it's a staffed station whereas Simi is not. Charlie From:
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[mailto:
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] On Behalf Of Jarrod DellaChiesa Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:33 PM To:
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Subject: RE: Our Group's Goals Hi Ryan, I completely agree with you regarding the pride of the employees! I typed my initial email in somewhat of a hurry and didn't state my point-of-view very well. Amtrak employees in general - particularly in the Dining Car - have been stretched too far. After all, how can employees remain motivated and have the energy necessary to give passengers personal attention if they are doing the job of two or three employees by themselves. Great idea about working with schools and universities! The Coast Starlight is a great way for students to travel on spring break, to get home on three-day weekends, etc. As a student at SFSU, I know how public transportation conscious many students are. At my school, basically the only way to get to school is by taking BART, bus or Muni Light Rail. There is practically no parking! I think adding a college area on the website is a great idea! If members could provide detailed information for colleges in their area, that would be great! I'll cover the colleges and universities in the SF Bay Area. We could also develop a brochure/poster to place in school libraries, etc and possibly target school newspapers to put in op-eds about public transportation and the Coast Starlight. Below is an updated list of goals ... with improved wording  1. Increase community knowledge of the Coast Starlight, it's route, am amenities, benefits of train travel, etc. 2. Work with individual communities to promote train travel to and from their communities. This could include working with Amtrak to create special discounts and promotions for travel to certain cities. (Santa Barbara is currently partnering with Amtrak and Amtrak California through their Car Free Santa Barbara program) 3. Work with individual communities to improve their Amtrak station. Station improvements make train travel a more desirable travel option. 4. Work with Amtrak to improve and refine on-board service standards. This includes the increasing of staffing levels. 5. Work with Amtrak, Union Pacific and the the other Coast Starlight host railroads to improve On-Time-Performance and shorten the travel time where necessary. Increasing speeds, and overall travel time, will make the Coast Starlight a more appealing, reliable and relevant travel option. - Jarrod
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