Restore Full Service on Amtrak's Sunset Limited

[genearenson]

Restore train service to Amtrak's Sunset Limited east of New Orleans, Louisiana. http://wh.gov/XMFy

Since Amtrak has no definate date or plans to restore rail passenger service on The Sunset Limited east of New Orleans while citing to me that they are in negotiations with perspective states; the prospect looks like a long drawn out process with no immediate progress.

I am asking the United States, Congress and The Cabinet of the Obama Administration to intervene, finance and restore Amtrak service on The Sunset Limited eastward into Florida terminating in either Orlando, Jacksonville or Miami.

Over seven (7) years have passed since Hurricane Katrina knocked out and disrupted Amtrak service in the corridor serving the east side of New Orleans, prompting Amtrak to cease operations indefinately.


Created: Nov 20, 2012

Issues: Transportation and Infrastructure

 

[Pennsy G]

It's difficult to see Amtraks long distance trains as serving a vital role in public transportation. Passenger rail dollars would be better spent on commuter and regional services where they can provide a competative alternative to autos and short distance air travel.

 

[bcp]

It would be interesting to see how many long distance travelers VS regional travelers are using Amtrak's long distance trains.

I see many regional passengers using them.

Bruce

 

[Pennsy G]

Roughly 11.4M Northeast Corridor, 15.1M state sponsored and short distance services and 4.7M long distance routes. Long distance ticket sales account for 25% of Amtrak ticket revenue. On the surface they would appear to be Amtraks most lucrative service. In reality none of Amtraks services make money. The tax payers can not afford to subsidize every transportation service and government program.

 

[andrewjonathon]

Restore train service to Amtrak's Sunset Limited east of New Orleans, Louisiana. http://wh.gov/XMFy

Since Amtrak has no definate date or plans to restore rail passenger service on The Sunset Limited east of New Orleans while citing to me that they are in negotiations with perspective states; the prospect looks like a long drawn out process with no immediate progress.

I am asking the United States, Congress and The Cabinet of the Obama Administration to intervene, finance and restore Amtrak service on The Sunset Limited eastward into Florida terminating in either Orlando, Jacksonville or Miami.

Over seven (7) years have passed since Hurricane Katrina knocked out and disrupted Amtrak service in the corridor serving the east side of New Orleans, prompting Amtrak to cease operations indefinately.


Created: Nov 20, 2012

Issues: Transportation and Infrastructure

Uh, good luck with that. Let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[MJLriak]

Uh, good luck with that. Let us know how it turns out for you.

wasn't that the route where Amtrak told UP they wanted to go back to full-week service, and UP told them to pay $XXXX million in infastructure upgrades for additional sidings and such - which pretty much shot the discussion down?

 

[Pat]

U.P. asked for $700 million in infrastructure upgrades. Amtrak of course can’t afford it. In a March news release Amtrak agreed to not pursue daily operation of the Sunset for two years in trade for U.P. agreeing to a schedule change.

One of the issues east of New Orleans is getting damaged depots rebuilt or replaced. Amtrak won't pay for it. While the mayors east of New Orleans are in favor of re-establishing service, they can’t justify paying for it given the light passenger load at most of them.