[PRCo] Re: Shoulda, Coulda, would

[John Swindler]

> Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2008 00:20:28 -0400> From: shadow at dementia.org> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Shoulda, Coulda, would> > On Wed, 11 Jun 2008, John Swindler wrote:> > > PennHwy purchased PRC right of way in the point for around $300,000 > > which was used by PRC to purchase replacement buses. In years to come > > like late 1960/1970s, some of these municipalities went after PAT for > > rail removal. Bridges might have also been involved. And as for Amtrak, > > co-worker sent me an email this morning concerning proposed Bush veto of > > Amtrak funding because Congress increased funding. Priceless comments. > > will follow> > Passed at a veto-proof level, if those votes hold. If he wants to > economize, I can't say I've used any war lately, so I'm perfectly willing > to sacrifice my share of that, but only because I'm feeling generous this > week.> 
 
 
Article follows:  several in office were making some comments on "hold Amtrack accountable for it's spending decisions"  We wondered if holding accountable for it's spending decisions also applied to the administration and Iraq??  Haliburton (sp) name came up. (:>)
 
 

White House poised to veto Amtrak funding

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking_news.shtml#Feature6-6-11

 

Despite a surge in train ridership as gasoline prices soar and airlines cut back on service, Amtrak faces the threat of a White House veto of legislation now moving through Congress that would increase its funding. H R. 6003, which would increase the Amtrak subsidy to $1.4 billion, "authorizes an unprecedented level of spending that does not hold Amtrak accountable to taxpayers for its spending decisions," said a Bush Administration statement Monday.The White House said the bill does not provide incentives for competition on Amtrak routes and fails to make Amtrak funding contingent on "progress on reforms." In addition to increasing Amtrak operating and capital funding, the proposed legislation would set up a new matching grant program for state-supported trains.In March, Amtrak carried 2.42 million passengers, up 11.5% from March 2007. Ridership in the Northeast Corridor increased 7% to 933,000. In the first six months of Amtrak's current fiscal year, ridership nationwide increased 11.7% to 13.5 million and Northeast Corridor ridership increased 11.9% to 5.4 million. Amtrak President Alexander Kummant was recently quoted as saying, "We’ll probably crack 27 million this year," compared with 25.8 million riders last year. 
 
 
> > Back to PRC - it was the cost of track removal that might have played a > > big part in decisions during last decade of PRC. Track removal > > elsewhere was a consideration for Second Ave. It wasn't a consideration > > for Millvale.> > Second Ave got new track thanks to DoH when the Parkway was built, didn't > it? Notably, the Second Avenue under the then-Brady St Bridge is closer to > the river than it used to be.> 
 
After reading the PUC decision on the west end lines, I've wondered if a requirement for rail removal was a prime consideration in other PRC decisions during 1950s?  Murray Ave. repaving was reason for 60/68 removal in 1958.  I should dig out that decision.
 
Second Ave. was rebuilt over several years working outbound from around the 10th St. bridge.  Parkway construction may have paid for some of it near 10th St., but what about the rest out to Bates St.???  The condition of Second Ave. for last mile to Greenfield Ave. was just horrible.  I walked it when 58 was abandoned.
 
Was the proposal to re-route 55 via Greenfield and Brown's Hill Rd. an attempt to avoid track removal on Brown's Hill Rd. and Braddock to E. Pgh.?  Dunno.  Could also have been to avoid investment in new buses.  Or some combination of both.
 
And Fifth Av. was rebuilt from near Craig St. towards Highland Ave.  Was it cheaper to pay share of repaving rather then new buses???  The impending take over by PAT was also on the table.  But I guess the people to ask are no long with us.
 
John
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