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» 2012 Annual Meeting Registration Form
2012 ESPA Annual Meeting Registration Form - Revised to 1-15-12 (PDF)
» Border Patrol Stops Routine Passenger Inspections
Unexpectedly, the US Border Patrol’s routine inspection of passengers traveling on trains running across Upstate New York (but not crossing any international border) came to an abrupt end in mid-September. These inspections, which have been focused primarily on the Lake Shore Limited at both the Buffalo-Depew and Rochester stations, have been ongoing for the past several years.
The inspections, which targeted undocumented travelers and illegal immigrants among others, have been the subject of repeated media reports (including an undercover story which appeared last year in the New York Times) and lead to extensive investigations into the constitutionality of the inspections by the American Civil Liberties Union, were expanded to also include intercity buses, which have also now been curtailed.
The uniformed Border Patrol agents would generally ask passengers to state their nationality and if they were satisfied with the response they would quickly move on. But for those passengers that raised the suspicions of the agent, formal identification was required to be produced. If their ID’s were not supplied or found not to be in order, the passengers would be taken off the train for further questioning and possible detention. Passengers traveling in coach were far more likely to be questioned than those in sleepers or business class. Trains were often delayed as the agents did their inspections, though such delays had been greatly reduced in the past couple years, in part due to Amtrak’s strong insistence that efficient train operations trumped the authority of the agents.
Increasingly however, knowledgeable passengers who objected to such domestic questioning recognized that they weren’t under any legal requirement to answer the agent’s questions and many would refuse to do so.
The Department of Homeland Security has made no clear statements regarding the reasons for the stoppage of the inspections, though they have indicated that Border Patrol agents retain the legal authority to make such inspections and that they may resume these activities at anytime in the future.
From the passenger’s perspective, the ceasing of these routine inspections will make for more enjoyable trips and should help improve on time performance, especially for the Lake Shore.
» Amtrak To Lease 85 Miles Of Empire Corridor From CSX
In an extremely welcomed announcement, it was confirmed on October 18 that Amtrak intends to enter into a long-term lease with CSX, to gain full operational control of the 85 route miles of the Empire Corridor between Control Point 75 north of Poughkeepsie (the north end of Metro North territory) and CP 160 at the Schenectady station. Amtrak already controls the 9 mile segment west of Schenectady to Hoffmans at CP 169 (where the CSX freight line from Selkirk Yard joins the main line heading west). CSX will retain full freight rights on the leased line.
Reportedly, the negotiations for the lease of this segment were closely tied to the recent obligation of $150 million in ARRA HSR funds, which will allow for four significant improvement projects (including the new second main track between Albany and Schenectady and the fourth boarding track at the Rensselaer station) to now proceed. In addition, the future rehabilitation or replacement of the Livingston Avenue Bridge over the Hudson River should be better facilitated with Amtrak’s lease.
The lease will give Amtrak full responsibility for the operation, dispatching and maintenance of the entire 85 route miles and it will be a major step forward in the decades-old efforts to significantly improve the infrastructure along this segment of the Corridor. Amtrak’s Board of Directors is expected to consider and approve the lease agreement at their November meeting and the formal take-over from CSX is planned for early in 2012.
Many logistical questions have yet to be disclosed, including where Amtrak’s future dispatching center for the segment will be located. However, Amtrak’s Rensselaer-based Engineering Department is reportedly already gearing up for their new maintenance responsibilities (which already include the Amtrak-owned Post Road Branch connection used by the Boston section of the Lake Shore.)
» FREE Wi Fi Service Starts On Empire Corridor
Starting Monday, Oct 31, Amtrak began to offer FREE Wi-Fi service on all Empire Corridor trains, as well as Regional Service trains on the Northeast Corridor.
Connecting is free and easy, as one simply selects, “Amtrak Connect” as the wireless connection from their computer, tablet or smartphone.
Service works very well in the Hudson Valley, though is limited in Manhattan where the Empire Corridor trains are underground. Upstate service also works very well, although due to a lack of cell towers in the Adirondack area, service is minimal north of Saratoga Springs on the Adirondack and Ethan Allen Express.
Wi-Fi Service is available on all Amfleet I coaches and cafe/business class cars, but does not exist in the more spacious Amfleet II long-distance coaches, so the Adirondack (Trains 68, 69) and Toronto Maple Leaf (Trains 63, 64), which carry both types of cars have service available only in the Amfleet I coaches of each train. (Each of these trains typically has a couple Amfleet II coaches.)
Wi-Fi service is NOT available in Canada, nor in U.S. areas near the Canadian border (i.e. north of Plattsburgh and from Buffalo-Depew to Niagara Falls).
Also, Wi-Fi service does not exist at this time on the Lake Shore Limited, nor other overnight trains.
» $150 Million In HSR Funds Released
The finalization of agreements and the release of $150 million in previoulsy awarded High Speed Rail improvement funds was announced on Friday, September 23, 2011.
These funds will allow the following critical projects to now proceed forward to construction:
•New Second, High-Speed (110mph) Main Track between Albany and Schenectady - Construction Expected To Start In Spring 2012
•Fourth Boarding Track, Extended Platforms and New Signal System at the Rensselaer Station - Construction Expected To Start In Spring 2012
•Signal System Improvements on the Hudson Line between north of Poughkeepsie and the Rensselaer Station
•New platforms and track lay-out at the Schenectady station - Will be an intergral part of the overall new Schenectady Intermodal Station
With this announcement, the USDOT/FRA will, to date, have obligated, released and/or transferred to New York State a total of $553.7 million in federal funds for rail and station improvement projects occurring wholly within the state.
Deducting two major projects in the New York City area (Harold Interlocking Improvements and Moynihan Station development), the total federal funding received for all of the remaining NYS projects is ~$174.7 million
For more detail, please review the NYS HSR Project Summary List - Revised to 9-23-11
» NYS HSR Rail Project Summary
This is a complete listing of ALL state-wide Intercity Passenger Rail improvement projects currently funded (from a combination of federal, state and local sources) and the current progress of each project. The information is correct to the date of the summary...
NYS HSR Project Summary List - Revised to 10-21-11 (PDF)
NYS HSR Project Summary List - Revised to 9-25-11 (PDF)
NYS HSR Project Summary List - Revised to 7-7-11 (PDF)
» May 2012 NYS Stats
» April 2011 NYS Stats
» 'Ninety Now' ESPA Press Statement
Release Immediately: June 6, 2011
Contact: Bruce Becker (716) 880-7291 or
ESPA Endorses 90mph For Top Speed Of Near-Term Incremental Improvements For The Empire Corridor Across Upstate New York
‘90mph Now’ Is Critical To The Advancement Of Fully Funded Improvement Projects Which Are Paramount To Rail Passengers
The Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA) has endorsed 90 miles per hour as the near-term maximum speed for Amtrak’s Empire Corridor passenger trains operating on CSX’s busy freight mainline across upstate New York from west of the Capital District to the Buffalo region.
ESPA President Bruce Becker announced the organization’s position today stating “The immediate needs of New York State’s rail passengers are for reduced trip times and improved on-time performance reliability. Based on these needs, ESPA urges all of the involved parties to now agree that 90mph is a reasonable and safe near-term maximum speed for passenger trains operating on CSX’s freight mainline right-a-way and is in the best interest of rail travelers. It is critical that New York State and CSX finalize the agreements necessary to allow the currently-funded incremental improvement infrastructure projects to proceed forward as quickly as possible, particularly the vital, 110mph, second main track between Albany and Schenectady.. ”
Becker went on to say “ESPA fully endorses the need for the construction of a publically-funded third main track across upstate. CSX’s growing freight traffic and the State’s plans for increased passenger service in the future makes it imperative that additional capacity by added to this route. We look forward to a time when there will be three main tracks, all capable of accommodating passenger trains at a top speed of 90mph across upstate. In addition, we encourage the timely completion of planned projects which would eliminate the many current slower-speed segments of the line, greatly benefiting rail travelers.”
ESPA does continue to support the long-term goal of future expansion of higher speed passenger service. Becker noted “As ridership and service expands along the Empire Corridor, the desirability of having rail infrastructure capable of a top speed of 110mph or greater must still be part of the long-term planning process.”
ESPA also strongly urges that CSX should endeavor to collaboratively forge a positive relationship with New York State. Becker stated “It is vital that a positive environment be fostered by CSX with the State, where by the currently planned and future improvements can be advanced in a swift and mutually beneficial manner when funding is made available.”
The Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA), comprised of over 1,300 members from across New York State, is a citizens-based advocacy organization dedicated to improving passenger rail service, supporting seamless interconnectivity between public transportation modes, and promoting governmental policies that encourage balanced transportation systems.
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» March 2011 NYS Stats
» February 2011 NYS Stats
» NYS Seeks New Rail Grants For 8 Projects
Meeting the April 4th deadline, New York State today applied for a total of $517 million in new Federal Rail Grants, to fund eight specific projects.
The new grant applications submitted to the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) seek to obtain a portion of the $2.4 billion in federal funds which Florida Governor Rick Scott recently returned.
The eight projects, and their costs, are:
• Rebuilding Harold Interlocking - $294.7 m - The project would construct dedicated tracks for Amtrak use in this busy area. Currently Amtrak trains between New York and points north towards New England must share tracks with Long Island RR commuter trains.
• Moynihan Station Development - Phase 2 - $49.8 m - Final design for the continuing project to expand current capacity at New York’s Penn Station.
• Upper Hudson High-Capacity Signal System - $112.0m - This project would replace the current outdated signal system between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie on the Metro North Railroad. Both Amtrak and Metro North trains would greatly benefit from the added capacity and reliability a new system would provide.
• Hudson Line Signal System Improvements - $18.6m - Funds the work to complete the upgrading of the signal system on the remaining 48 miles of between Poughkeepsie and Rensselaer not previously funded. The current pole-mounted signal lines would be replaced with buried cables, greatly improving the reliability of the system, particularly in bad weather.
• Rensselaer Station 4th Track And Platforms - $35.4m - Would fund the construction of the long-sought fourth boarding track at the Rensselaer Station (the ninth busiest in the Amtrak system); extend the length of the two current platforms from 500 feet to 1,000 feet; re-configure the track lay-out and signal systems allowing for higher train speeds when approaching and leaving the station.
• New Schenectady Station - $4.1m - Would provide the last necessary funding to allow this project to construct a new Schenectady Station at the current Erie Blvd. site to proceed.
• New Rochester Station - $1.4m - Would complete the necessary preliminary engineering and enviromental review for the proposed new Rochester Intermodal Station, to be located at the current site.
• New Niagara Falls Maintenance Base - $1.75m - Would complete the necessary preliminary engineering and enviromental work for a new in-door maintenance base in Niagara Falls, NY. Currently all lay-over servicing and repairs are done outdoors, even in the coldest winter weather. The facility would be designed to handle future higher-speed train equipment also.
More details on these projects will be posted as they become available.
April 4, 2011
» January 2011 NYS Stats
» December 2010 NYS Stats
» Obama 2011 State Of The Union Address
President Obama made clear reference to his commitment to High Speed Rail in his January 25, 2011 State Of The Union Address.
The pertinent section of his speach was:
"The third step in winning the future is rebuilding America. To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information – from high-speed rail to high-speed internet.
Our infrastructure used to be the best – but our lead has slipped. South Korean homes now have greater internet access than we do. Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nation’s infrastructure, they gave us a “D.”
We have to do better. America is the nation that built the transcontinental railroad, brought electricity to rural communities, and constructed the interstate highway system. The jobs created by these projects didn’t just come from laying down tracks or pavement. They came from businesses that opened near a town’s new train station or the new off-ramp.
Over the last two years, we have begun rebuilding for the 21st century, a project that has meant thousands of good jobs for the hard-hit construction industry. Tonight, I’m proposing that we redouble these efforts.
We will put more Americans to work repairing crumbling roads and bridges. We will make sure this is fully paid for, attract private investment, and pick projects based on what’s best for the economy, not politicians.
Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail, which could allow you go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying – without the pat-down. As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.”
Full Text Of The 2011 State of the Union Speach
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