| 00:00:05 |
none, -
THE HEARING WILL COME TO ORDER, PLEASE. LET ME WELCOME OUR FEDERAL RAILSTRATER JOE BOARDMAN AND THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF AMTRAK ALEXANDER KUMMANT ON...
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| 00:00:45 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
RAIL AND THE FISCAL YEAR 2008 BUDGET REQUEST. I WOULD LIKE TO START TODAY'S HEARING AND THE NEED FOR BALANCE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM. THE QUOTE IS, FACED...
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| 00:02:21 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
2030. MOST OF THIS GROWTH HAS OCCURRED IN CITIES AND
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| 00:02:25 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
CITY SUBURBS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. OUR LARGEST 30 METROPOLITAN AREAS NOW ACCOUNT FOR ALMOST 45% OF THE COUNTRY'S TOTAL POPULATION. THE CHALLENGE...
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| 00:05:51 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
THEY LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE RAIL DOES OFFER THE BEST SOLUTION FOR COMMUTING FOR TRAVEL. AND THEN THERE'S OTHERS WHO HATE AMTRAK. THEY VIEW IT AS AN OUTDATED...
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| 00:07:55 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
MOVE ON TO SEVERAL ROUNDS OF QUESTIONING HERE TODAY. >> YES, SIR. I'LL DO THAT. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, MEMBER
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| 00:08:06 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
KNOLLENBERG. JIM
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| 00:08:08 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
WALSH IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE REPRESENTING TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY MARY PETERS IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. OUR FISCAL...
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| 00:08:19 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
REQUEST CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL RAIL SAFETY ACTION PLAN PRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY IN 2005. THE BUDGET JUSTIFICATION DETAILS MANY OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS...
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| 00:16:04 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
DOING. WE FINISHED FISCAL YEAR '06 BY ESTABLISHING NEW RIDERSHIP AND REVENUE RECORDS.
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| 00:16:09 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THROUGH MARCH, THIS YEAR WE'RE CONTINUING TO OUTPACE THE PREVIOUS YEAR WITH RIDERSHIP AND REVENUE AHEAD BY NEARLY 5% AND 11% RESPECTFULLY. THE RIDERSHIP...
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| 00:21:24 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
OCCUR. MR. BOARDMAN, YOU HAVE A RATHER MODEST BUDGET, 150 MILLION OR THEREABOUTS WAS WHAT THE '07 CONTINUING RESOLUTION PROVIDED FOR THE YEAR. IT MAY...
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| 00:23:00 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
CONFERENCES BUT NOT FOR INSPECTORS SO WE TARGETED VERY CLEARLY WHAT IT IS THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO IN TERMS OF SAVING DOLLARS. FURTHERMORE, WE'RE ADDING...
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| 00:23:53 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
NEARLY SEVEN YEARS. MOST OF THE LABOR EMPLOYEES HAVE NOT SEEN AN INCREASE OF WAGES OTHER THAN A 1% COST OF LIVING PER YEAR UNDER THE SYSTEM AS IT ...
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| 00:25:18 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THERE'c A RENEWED COMMITMENT FROM ALL LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT THAT ARE INVOLVED IN LIKE VERY MUCH TO DRIVE THIS PROCESS FORWARD OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE...
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| 00:26:17 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
AND WE WILL BE VERY INTERESTED IN THE PROGRESS THAT IS MADE. LET ME JUST -- ONE FURTHER THING THERE, HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE COMPENSATION LEVEL WITHIN...
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| 00:27:13 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
OUR CURRENT WAGE LEVELS. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT AND PARTICULARLY ON THE EAST COAST, EVEN RELATIVE TO WHAT OTHER TRANSIT AGENCIES PAY, YOU KNOW, WE...
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| 00:28:20 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
AND OUR COMMITMENTS TO THE UNIONS HAS BEEN THAT WILL GENERALLY BE MANAGED THROUGH ATTRITION. WE HAVE NOT MADE WHOLESALE, YOU KNOW, CUTS IN PERSONNEL....
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| 00:29:16 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
VIEW IS THAT IT REALLY WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN AN OPERATION. WE HAVE TO SPEND ON AN ONGOING BASIS WITHOUT ANY CAPITAL, YOU KNOW, MAJOR CAPITAL...
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| 00:29:38 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
BE DRAMATIC CUTS IN SERVICE, AND THEN EVEN WITH CONTINUITY AND PAYMENTS IT WOULD BE A REMARKABLE JUGGLING ACT. IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE...
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| 00:30:19 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
AMTRAK. IT MUST BE DONE TO KEEP IT SOME A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR. >> IT CARRIES A LITTLE OVER 40% OF THE RIDERSHIP AND CERTAINLY REPRESENTS MUCH MORE...
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| 00:30:30 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
ALSO USED -- IT'S CLEARLY HEAVILY
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| 00:30:34 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
USED BY NEW JERSEY TRANSIT, FOR EXAMPLE, AND, YOU KNOW, FIVE OTHER COMMUTER AGENCIES. BUT THERE'S A BASELINE, ONGOING RAIL TIE SIGNAL YEAR TO
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| 00:30:45 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
YEAR KIND OF REPLACEMENT MAINTENANCE WHICH IS IN THAT RANGE. >> OKAY. I WILL PASS THE GAVEL -- NOT THE GAVEL, EXCUSE ME. [LAUGHTER] >> THE MICROPHONE...
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| 00:31:11 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
COST AND AMTRAK IS REQUESTING 760 MILLION. I'M ASSUMING -- I'M GOING TO ASK BOTH OF YOU QUESTION BUT
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| 00:31:19 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
I'M ASSUMING YOUR ANSWERS MAY DIFFER ABOUT HOW YOU ARRIVED AT THOSE NUMBERS BUT I'M HOPING THERE'S ALSO A GREAT DEAL OF AGREEMENT
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| 00:31:25 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
ON SOME OF THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT NEEDS ARE AND WHERE WE CAN MAKE THE MOST DIFFERENCE. LET'S START WITH MR....
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| 00:32:10 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
TIE WORK, RAIL WORK AND THAT RANGES FROM CONNECTICUT DOWN TO NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA. SO WE CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDE A DETAILED CAPITAL PLAN TO RUN...
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| 00:32:55 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
SECTIONS ARE AND WHAT
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| 00:32:57 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
STATES THEY ARE IN? >> I THINK ALEX WAS PRETTY MUCH ON THE MARK THAT THE PRIMARY AMOUNT OF MONEY GOES INTO THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR. I THINK THEY ARE...
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| 00:33:10 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
OUT IN SOME OF THE DETAIL BUT I'M -- >> YOU TEND TO AGREE, I GUESS? >> WE AGREE ON WHAT IT'S BEING SPENT FOR. >> WHERE
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| 00:33:20 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
SHOULD THE FIRST 500 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BE SPENT AND I'LL COME BACK TO YOU MR. KUMMANT. >> I THINK IT HAS TO CONTINUE BEING SPENT IN...
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| 00:33:34 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
THAT IS STILL THE LIFE BLOOD OF KEEPING THE
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| 00:33:37 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
NORTHEAST CORRIDOR GOING. I WOULD GIVE A VERY STRONG NOD,
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| 00:33:41 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
THOUGH, TO THE EQUIPMENT OVERALL SITE. IF WE STOP OVERHAULING EQUIPMENT, WE WILL ALSO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO RUN ON. IF I MAY
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| 00:33:49 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
SAY SO, I THINK WE HAVE A TERRIFIC WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FRA. WE WORK DIRECTLY VETTING CAPITAL PROJECTS. THERE'S A CONSTANT DIALOG AND RELATIONSHIP...
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| 00:34:41 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
DOES THAT. >> DO YOU BELIEVE, MR. BOARDMAN, DO YOU CONSIDER NEW ROLLING STOCK TO BE A VITAL NEED FOR AMTRAK AND WOULD YOU
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| 00:34:50 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
ANTICIPATE THAT AMTRAK WOULD USE SOME OF THE APPROPRIATED CAPITAL GRANT FUNDS FOR ROLLING STOCK? >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR ROLLING STOCK PLAN IS RIGHT...
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| 00:35:04 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
KUMMANT ON THAT SAME POINT. >> WE HAVE A VERY MODEST NUMBER CALLS DM JURISDICTIONs. THEY ARE
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| 00:35:15 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
BUSES ON RAIL. WE HAVE ABOUT $180 MILLION ON EQUIPMENT OVERHAUL. SO THE EQUIPMENT OVERHAUL PIECE
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| 00:35:25 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
WE DO CONSIDER CRITICAL GOING FORWARD, BUT ACTUAL NEW EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, CERTAINLY FROM A MARKETING POINT OF
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| 00:35:31 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
VIEW, WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT IN SOME INNER CITY CORRIDORS BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THAT IN THIS PLAN. >> MR. BOARDMAN, DO YOU CONSIDER THE RAIL...
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| 00:36:02 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
AGO, INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SAFETY IS NO. 1. WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT MR. KU SOME, M -- KUMMANT
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| 00:36:13 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
IS TALKING ABOUT IS DOING MORE INNOVATIVE THINGS. AND THERE ARE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THE LESS DENSE RAIL SERVICE AND WE SEE THAT. >> WOULD...
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| 00:36:43 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
STATE OF VERMONT. COULD YOU TALK ABOUT HOW
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| 00:36:47 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
YOU'RE IMPROVING AND REFORMING THE SERVICE
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| 00:36:49 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
IN VERMONT AND IF SOME OF THE REFORMS COULD BE CARRIED OVER TO SOME OF THE OTHER STATES. I'LL START WITH MR. KUMMANT. >> WE ARE WORKING ON REFORMS TOP...
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| 00:37:24 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT IS REALLY GOING TO GO SYSTEM WIDE. >> I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT WAY FOR
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| 00:37:32 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
VERMONT TO GO. WE RECENTLY APPROVED A LOAN
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| 00:37:35 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
APPLICATION THAT THEY HAD FOR PART OF THE SHARE OF THE COST OF THESE DMUs WE SAW THAT IN UPSTATE NEW YORK ESPECIALLY
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| 00:37:50 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
NORTH OF ALBANY AND THAT ALWAYS IN MANY CASES CONNECTS OVER INTO VERMONT SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT WE THINK COULD BE USED IN MANY AREAS...
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| 00:38:22 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
NUMBER OF THESE AREAS. AND THAT DOES END UP PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE CAPITAL MATCH PROGRAM. IF WE CAN ASSIST, IF WE CAN DEBOTTLENECK ROUTES, I THINK...
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| 00:38:37 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
DRAMATIC RIDERSHIP GROWTH. MUCH OF THE DIALOG IN OUR VIEW HAS TO Bc OVERALL RAIL NETWORK CAPACITY WHICH HAS BEEN SAID BY PEOPLE WE'RE THE CANARY IN...
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| 00:39:30 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
OWNERSHIP. HOW MUCH OF THE AMTRAK DEPENDENT
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| 00:39:32 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
RAIL STRUCTURE IS OWNED BY FREIGHT OR PRIVATE RAILROADS
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| 00:39:35 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
AND WE'LL START AGAIN WITH MR. MR. KUMMANT. >> WE OWN 1,219 MILES OF ACTUAL ROUTE ON THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR AND THEN I CAN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT ROUTE...
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| 00:40:03 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
FACTOIDS. BUT THAT SMALL FRACTION ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 40% OF OUR RIDERSHIP. .. REALLY SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WRESTLE WITH COLLECTIVELY. NOW, NO QUESTION...
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| 00:41:35 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
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| 00:41:37 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
PASTOR. >> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN. I'M FROM ARIZONA, WE HAVE THE TWO LINES THERE THAT PROBABLY ARE UNDERUTILIZED AND PROBABLY OWNED
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| 00:41:50 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
BY OTHER COMPANIES. BUT THE MAYOR OF TUCSON ENJOYS YOUR PRESENCE AND THINKS YOU'RE GREAT NEIGHBORS AND WE'RE TRYING TO -- BUT LET ME GO
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| 00:41:59 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
BACK TO
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| 00:42:01 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
YOU, MR. KUMMANT. YOU SAY A KEY POINT TO REMEMBER IS THAT THE ABSENCE OF NEW LABOR AGREEMENTS HAS HELPED TO KEEP OPERATING COSTS RELATIVELY CONSTANT....
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| 00:42:32 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
|
| 00:42:33 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
HIGHER-SKILLED POSITIONS AND
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| 00:42:34 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
THEN YOU MENTION ATTRITION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. BUT
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| 00:42:38 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
THAT IS THE LINE, WHEN I READ YOUR TESTIMONY AND BEING AS IT OTHER HEARINGS HERE, THAT'S THE LINE THAT'S MOST PROFITABLE. SO I WOULD THINK THAT IF I...
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| 00:43:47 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
LEGITIMATE ISSUE
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| 00:43:49 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
ON A
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| 00:43:50 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
BONUS PAYMENT OR BACKPAY ISSUE ON THE ONE HAND THAT THE UNIONS
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| 00:43:55 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO SEE
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| 00:43:56 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN TERMS OF AN EQUALIZATION OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARSO THE OTHER HAND WE DESPERATELY NEED TO MODERNIZE HOW WE WORK IN THE WORK PLACE. WE NEED WORK PLACE...
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| 00:44:51 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
FOR A BOILER MAKER TO DO SOME WORK THAT WOULD BE SAY A AN ELECTRICIAN, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT'S A BAD COMPARISON. HAVE YOU TRIED TO NEGOTIATE TO, SAY...
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| 00:46:06 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN 30 DAYS GIVE YOU A CALL AND SEE WHERE WE'RE AT. >> BE 4SP TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. >> SEE HOW WE CAN HELP BECAUSE I THINK, YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH...
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| 00:46:24 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
AMTRAK PLAYS A ROLE IN MOVING PEOPLE NORTH AND SOUTH. SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AND SO I
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| 00:46:30 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
WOULD THINK THAT BACKPAY IS AN ISSUE AS
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| 00:46:33 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
WELL AS HEALTH BENEFITS. AT THE SAME TIME YOU'RE LOSING SKILLED, SKILLED WORKFORCE TO YOUR COMPETITION AND SO SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO RESOLVE THIS, I WOULD...
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| 00:47:03 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO THE COUNTRY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF RAIL SAFETY BECAUSE
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| 00:47:07 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
IT'S BEEN VERY MUCH IN THE
|
| 00:47:09 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
NEWS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. WE HAVE
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| 00:47:11 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
HAD A RASH OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING TRAINS OF LATE. MOST RECENTLY A DERAILMENT OF ACSX FREIGHT TRAIN IN ROME, NEW YORK, SPILLING CHEMICALS AND CAUSING...
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| 00:48:45 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
THAT WE THEN, THROUGH AN OVERSIGHT MECHANISM, LOOK AT THEIR RECORDS TO SEE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY DOING THOSE KINDS OF INSPECTIONS. BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR...
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| 00:51:09 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
GOING TO HAVE AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY OF LOOKING AT THIS IN GREAT DETAIL AND I'M USING NEW YORK AS THE EXAMPLE. >> WERE YOU SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER
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| 00:51:19 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
OF VIOLATIONS? >> I WAS. I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE WHOLE SAFETY CULTURE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT. >> THESE VIOLATIONS,...
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| 00:51:38 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
CIVIL PENALTIES. THOSE ARE
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| 00:51:41 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
FINES? >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> AND I'M LOOKING AT THE ONES, THERE'S A PREPONDERANCE OF MOTIVE POWER AND
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| 00:51:50 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
EQUIPMENT VIOLATIONS. THESE ARE PRIMARILY LOWER-GRADE ISSUES? >> IF THEY'RE VIOLATIONS, THEY'RE HIGHER. >> THESE ARE THE FACTS. >> IF THEY'RE DEFECTS,...
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| 00:52:03 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
2,000 DEFECTS.
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| 00:52:06 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
AND I NOTICE IN NEW YORK, NONE OF THOSE VIOLATIONS ARE TRACK VIOLATIONS. THERE WAS SOME CONCERN IN THE MOST RECENT DERAILMENT IN ROME THERE WAS
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| 00:52:15 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
A WEAKENED TRACK. HAS THAT
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| 00:52:17 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
BEEN DETERMINED YET? >>
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| 00:52:18 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
NTSB IS IN CHARGE OF THE INVESTIGATION
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| 00:52:21 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
IN A COULDN'T TELL YOU BOTH IN TERMS OF APPROPRIATE PROCEDURE AND I DON'T FULLY KNOW RIGHT NOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DETERMINE THE REAL CAUSE OF THAT...
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| 00:52:40 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THAT COULD CAUSE SOMETHING LIKE THAT. AND WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. WE'LL HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE THE T-16 CAR I THINK...
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| 00:52:51 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
T-18. T-16 SAYS ARE THEY LEVEL, ARE THEY STRAIGHT?
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| 00:52:55 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
IS THE PROFILE RIGHT? IS THERE WARPAGE? THE NEXT QUESTION IS, ARE THEY TIGHT TO THE RAILS? AND THAT'S THE NEXT TEST THAT WE'LL BE DOING. THEN WE WILL...
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| 00:53:37 |
Walsh, James T. - U.S. Representative, [R] New York
MANY MAY BE SURPRISED BY THE FACT THAT THE STATE THAT IS KNOWN FOR ITS HIGHWAYS, FREEWAYS AND LOVE OF AUTOMOBILE IS HOME
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| 00:53:47 |
Unidentified Speaker, -
TO AMTRAK'S SECOND BUSIEST
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| 00:53:49 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
CORRIDOR AFTER THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR BETWEEN BOSTON AND WASHINGTON, D.C. IT MAY FURTHER BE A SURPRISE TO MANY THAT CALIFORNIA HAS INVESTED APPROXIMATELY...
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| 00:54:41 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS SINCE 1990. AMTRAK HAS PUT IN ABOUT $400 MILLION. AGAIN, WITH ABOUT FIVE MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR, I BELIEVE. THE CAPITAL...
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| 00:55:46 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
CASE IN THE CITY OF COMMERCE A TRAIN DERAILED AND ACTUALLY DESTROYED SEVERAL HOUSES. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS KILLED. IT REALLY AS MUCH MIRACLE THAT HAPPENED...
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| 00:56:55 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
ANY PROTECTION. SO IN THAT $2.25 MILLION, $2 MILLION IS FOR OPERATIONS, ABOUT $250,000 IS FOR PART OF THE REPORTING PROCESS ITSELF. IT'S WORKED WELL...
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| 00:57:41 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
EFFORTS. SHOULD WE ALSO BE CONCERNED THAT FRA'S TRADITIONAL SAFETY ENFORCEMENT EFFORT WILL SUFFER AS A RESULT OF THIS? >> NO, WE WILL CONTINUE TO...
|
| 00:58:09 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS. THESE ARE THE KINDS OF TOOLS WE NEED THE TECHNOLOGY AND WE NEED THE KNOWLEDGE FOR US TO REALLY MAKE THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. >> OKAY....
|
| 00:58:38 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
A SERIES OF MECHANISM, INCLUDING EMPLOYEE BUYOUTS, BACKFILLING INSPECTORS AT LOWER GRADE LEVELS,
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| 00:58:45 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
DELAYING REPLACEMENT FRA EMPLOYEE VACANCIES FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS. HOW CAN YOU ASSURE THAT THIS SUBCOMMITTEE THAT FRA'S SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
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| 00:58:55 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
EFFORTS WON'T BE COMPROMISED AS YOU BRING ON INSPECTOR TRAINEES OR DELAYING FILING VACANCIES? >> SOME OF THE WAY THAT THAT WAS PARTICULARLY WRITTEN,...
|
| 00:59:25 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
TO REALLY DO THAT. IN TERMS OF FILLING AT A LOWER LEVEL IT'S REALLY THE NON-INSPECTORS THAT WE WILL DO THAT AT. >> OKAY. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. >>...
|
| 00:59:51 |
Roybal-Allard, Lucille - U.S. Representative, [D] California
GET US SOMEWHERE. BUT I REALLY WANT TO EXPLORE
|
| 00:59:55 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
A FEW ISSUES. BOTH OF YOU SEEM TO BE SAYING THAT WE HAVE SOME SUBSTANTIAL POTENTIAL WITH INNER CITY RAIL ROUTES. LET ME PUT THIS THIS WAY: DO...
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| 01:00:51 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
WELL. SO ANY MODEL WE SEE GOING FORWARD, THAT SEEMS TO MAKE A LOT OF SENSE. EVEN TODAY WITH 6% GROWTH IN THE CORRIDORS GIVEN SOME VERY DIFFICULT...
|
| 01:01:36 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
CORRIDORS TO NEW YORK TO MONTREAL AND NEW YORK CITY TO TORONTO, SO THERE IS BOTH THE INTRASTATE CONNECTIONS I THINK THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE...
|
| 01:03:02 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
LARGELY. >> LARGELY OWNED TRACKAGE. >> CLOSE TO $200 MILLION FOR ROLLING STOCK IN THAT NUMBER, FOR REFURBISHMENT, NOT NEW. >> YOUR $500 THAT YOU THINK...
|
| 01:03:22 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
A SEPARATE $100
|
| 01:03:23 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
|
| 01:03:25 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
MILLION FOR WHAT WOULD BE THESE INTERCITY ROUTES NOT ON OWNED TRACKAGE. >> SHOULD BE 200 MILLION BECAUSE THERE
|
| 01:03:32 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
WOULD BE THE MATCH. >> MATCH, OKAY, OKAY, 200 MILLION. NOW, HOW MUCH OF YOUR 500 AND 100 MATCHED WITH ANOTHER 100, HOW MUCH OF IS THAT ROLLING STOCK?...
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| 01:03:51 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
INFRASTRUCTURE. WE'RE LOOKING FOR THINGS LIKE IF YOU'RE GOING TO PUT TRAINS ON TIME,
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| 01:03:56 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
A STATE TO MAKE AN AGREEMENT WITH A FREIGHT RAILROAD TO PUT A PASSING SIDING IN. SO HIS TRAIN DOESN'T HAVE TO FOLLOW BEHIND A FREIGHT. HE CAN GET...
|
| 01:04:06 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
PUT THEM ON TIME. SO IT'S AN INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROCESS ITSELF AND PUT TRAINS ON TIME BETTER. >> CLEARLY BUSINESS OF PUTTING TRAINS...
|
| 01:04:36 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
BUT ON FREIGHT TRACKAGE, THE ON-TIME SERVICE IS ABYSMAL. >> NOT
|
| 01:04:43 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
ABYSMAL. I THINK ALEX TALKS ABOUT, I THINK
|
| 01:04:45 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, AMTRAK GUYS, BUT I THINK THE EMPIRE BUILDERS
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| 01:04:49 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
74%
|
| 01:04:50 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
ON TIME. >> NOT ALL ABYSMAL. >> CITY OF
|
| 01:04:53 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
NEW ORLEANS IS 3%. >> AVERAGE SEEMS TO BE DOWN TO 20% OR SO AND DROPPING. >> ON THAT SOUTHEAST CORRIDOR, THERE'S NOTHING ON TIME ON THE COAST STAR LIGHT....
|
| 01:05:03 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
CALIFORNIA'S EFFORT -- CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR DOESN'T STAY ON TIME. >> YOU COULD GET TOGETHER AND CONSPIRE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NEEDED
|
| 01:05:12 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
AND MAYBE COME TO US AUTHORIZERS
|
| 01:05:14 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
AND APPROPRIATORS
|
| 01:05:15 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
TO HELP OUT. >> YES, BUT IN EVERY, I MEAN A LOT OF THAT HAS DO WITH THE FREIGHT
|
| 01:05:19 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
RAILROADS. THIS PRESIDENT HAS BEEN OUT TALKING TO EVERY FREIGHT RAILROAD. EVERY SAFETY MEETING WE HAVE, HAVE, FRA HAS FOR THE FREIGHT RAILROADS ON...
|
| 01:05:29 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
AN ISSUE. >> WELL, MY TIME IS UP. I'M GOING TO COME BACK. I HAVE LAID THE GROUND WORK FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF QUESTIONING, THOUGH. >>
|
| 01:05:36 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. I WANT TO KIND OF PICK UP ON THE DISCUSSION HERE, QUESTION, SHOULD PRIVATE RAIL BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDS?...
|
| 01:05:51 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
THOSE TRACKS? >> SHOULD PRIVATE RAIL IN TERMS, I'M SORRY, JUST CLARIFICATION. >> ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDS? >> GRANT PROGRAM?
|
| 01:05:58 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
THIS WILL GO
|
| 01:05:59 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
THROUGH THE STATESF THE STATES CHOOSE TO USE IT FOR THE PRIVATE RAILROAD, THEN THAT'S A STATE CHOICE. >> SO WE DON'T FUND PRIVATE ROADS FOR EXAMPLE...
|
| 01:06:13 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
IMPROVEMENT FUNDS UNDER THE AMTRAK ACCOUNTS THAT AMTRAK WILL RECEIVE
|
| 01:06:17 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
MORE FAVORABLE RIGHT-OF-WAYS FOR OPERATIONS? I THINK FOR THIS GRANT PROGRAM, CONGRESSMAN, WE'RE TALKING
|
| 01:06:25 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
ABOUT USING, AGAIN, AS THE FORMER COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION IN NEW YORK, I SAID USE THE SAME DARNED PROCESSES IN THE STATES THAT EXIST TODAY SO...
|
| 01:07:06 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
APPROVE. >> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, WILL MORE MONEY BE DIRECTED TO THE ALREADY PARTICIPATING STATES? >> NO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN. THE PARTICIPATING...
|
| 01:07:17 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
TWO AHEAD OF STATES THAT HAVEN'T BEEN PARTICIPATING AND HAVEN'T BEEN PLANNING. >> BUT IT SHOULD BE FAIRLY EVEN? >> IT WILL BE EVEN. THEY HAVE TO
|
| 01:07:27 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
PLAN, THOUGH. >> OF THE STATES THAT ALREADY PARTICIPATE IN SOME SORT OF AMTRAK COST SHARING ARRANGEMENT, TO WHAT EXTENT DO THOSE STATES
|
| 01:07:34 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
MATCH AMTRAK INVESTMENT? IS IT MORE THAN 50%? IS IT LESS THAN 50%? >> I THINK IT'S BEEN GREATER THAN THAT IN SOME STATES. THAT QUESTION CAME
|
| 01:07:44 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
UP -- >> AGAIN, IF
|
| 01:07:45 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
I MAY, I COULD GIVE YOU THE CALIFORNIA WAS A GOOD
|
| 01:07:48 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
EXAMPLE WHERE AGAIN SINCE 1990 THEY PUT IN 1.8 BILLION. WE PUT IN ABOUT 400 MILLION. THE KEYSTONE CORRIDOR WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE WHERE WE SPLIT 509-50...
|
| 01:08:00 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
SORT OF FEDERAL PROGRAM, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROJECT BY PROJECT WORKING OUT OF HOW AN INDIVIDUAL
|
| 01:08:06 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
PROJECT WAS HANDLED. >> OKAY. >> I WANT TO TURN TO THE DEBT SERVICE FOR A MOMENT. I'M A BIT CONCERNED, I THINK WE ALL ARE, ABOUT THE AMTRAK DEBT SERVICE...
|
| 01:08:27 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
FY SNOIVEN. >> VERY SIMILAR NUMBER.
|
| 01:08:29 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
I BELIEVE A LITTLE BIT OVER 200 MILLION -- 300 MILLION. LET ME CLARIFY WHAT THAT NUMBER IS. OUTSIDE OF A VERY SMALL PIECE OF THAT, IT IS ESSENTIALLY...
|
| 01:08:48 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
OF INHERENTLY WRONG OR MALFEES SANITY OR NOT FUNCTIONING ABOUT THAT. WE HAVEN'T ADDED ANY NEW DEBT FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS. WE TOOK THE DEBT NUMBER...
|
| 01:09:25 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
OWN SCHEDULE OF REPAYMENT AND ULTIMATE DISPOSITION OF THE
|
| 01:09:31 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
CAPITAL. SO WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU IN DETAIL. >> ANOTHER QUESTION ON THAT LINE, IN YOUR STATEMENT YOU SITE A MAJOR INITIATIVE TO PRO...
|
| 01:09:56 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
FOR THE DMUs WE CHATTED ABOUT EARLIER. OTHERWISE, THERE'S ABOUT 180 SOME MILLION DOLLARS FOR EQUIPMENT REFURBISHMENT. OUR VIEW IS THAT IN GENERAL...
|
| 01:10:10 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THERE MAY BE PRIVATE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITIES, THERE MAY BE OTHER FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR NEW EQUIPMENT. IT IS ALSO SOMETHING WE WOULD WORK OUT WITH THE...
|
| 01:11:04 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
DONE SOME GOALS AND AS I TRY TO RECALL, I THINK LAST YEAR THE GOAL WAS
|
| 01:11:10 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
TO REFORM
|
| 01:11:11 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
YOUR FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE.
|
| 01:11:14 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
WHERE ARE WE ON THAT? HAVE WE DONE IT? . >> YES, WE FEEL THAT'S ONE OF OUR MORE SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS. WE ARE HITTING OUR REDUCTION NUMBERS. IT'S 15...
|
| 01:11:39 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
WE HAVE ALSO SHOWN THAT THAT HAS IN FACT DRIVEN RUBINS. WE HAVE PILOTED THAT ON THE CAPITAL CORRIDOR BETWEEN CHICAGO AND WASHINGTON, D.C. AND WE NOW...
|
| 01:12:21 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
BUT WE HAVE PULLED BACK ON MUCH MORE COMPLICATED MENUS AND SORT OF SERVED DINING. SO IT IS A REDUCTION IN STAFF AS
|
| 01:12:31 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
WELL AS A REDUCTION IN THE SORT OF FOOD THAT'S OFFERED. BUT THERE'S ALSO FOOD THAT IS IN A SENSE MORE MARKET FRIENDLY, VARIOUS HORS D'OEUVRES, THINGS...
|
| 01:13:15 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
ISSUE THAT'S BEEN, THERE'S ESSENTIAL
|
| 01:13:18 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
LAY POOL OF MOPE THAT'S BEEN LOOKED AT
|
| 01:13:20 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
BETWEEN SLEEPERS AND DINING. OUR VIEW IS THAT THERE'S ACTUALLY MUCH LESS TO BE HAD
|
| 01:13:25 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
ON SLEEPER REDUCTION AND PROBABLY MORE RISK ON REVENUE REDUCTION. SO WE HAVE ACTUALLY SLOWED UP ON THAT AND ARE DRIVING HARD ON THE DINING REDUCTION....
|
| 01:14:13 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
CAR. >> PUT FIVE, THREE TO FIVE CARS ON. >> I'LL HAVE SELECTION OF NEWSPAPERS, BEVERAGES. >> OR WOULD BE FOR EXAMPLE JUST A VERY HIGH-END SERVICE, SORT...
|
| 01:14:30 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
MORE SIMPLIFIED EXPERIENCE. AND THEY MIGHT CHARGE FIVE OR $6,000
|
| 01:14:35 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
A TICKET WHILE WE WOULD CHARGE $800
|
| 01:14:38 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
A TICKET FOR A LONG DISTANCE FARE. >> WHERE WOULD YOU START
|
| 01:14:42 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
MARKETING SOMETHING LIKE THAT? OR DOING A DEMONSTRATION? I'M ASSUMING AS YOU'RE THINKING OF IT, WHERE WOULD YOU YOU DO IT? . >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE...
|
| 01:15:01 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
OR THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY. SO I THINK THAT'S A DIFFERENT WAY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. >>
|
| 01:15:09 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THAT'S REFORM YOU'RE LOOKING AT. IS THERE ANOTHER ONE YOU MIGHT BRING OUT TODAY? >> WELL, IN GENERAL I THINK CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IS SOMETHING WE'RE...
|
| 01:15:29 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
SO I THINK WE CAN MAKE A LOT OF GAINS IN ONGOING CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN MULTIPLE
|
| 01:15:35 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
FUNCTIONS, WHICH IS A FUNCTION OF GOAL SETTING, IT IS A FUNCTION OF CLEAR FINANCIALS. AN EFFORT WE'RE LAUNCHING IN TODAY THAT IS CERTAINLY IS A ...
|
| 01:16:53 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
MONEYO WHAT IS THE TOP THREE OR FOUR ROUTES
|
| 01:16:56 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
YOU'RE LOSING THE MOST MONEY ON? >> WELL, IT'S PROBABLY THE SUNSET AND THE CARDINAL, I BELIEVE. SO THE SUNSET GOES ACROSS THE SOUTH. I THINK THERE'S...
|
| 01:17:20 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
CHARLOTTESVILLE, D.C., YES, SIR. >> DOES SOUTHERN CRESCENT, THAT GOES
|
| 01:17:29 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
DOWN 29, I THINK, DOWN TO
|
| 01:17:31 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
ATLANTA, TO NEW ORLEANS. >> RIGHT. >> I KNOW IT'S IN
|
| 01:17:34 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
THE TOP TEN, BUT IS IT AT THE END OF THE TOP TEN? >> NO, WE CONSIDER THAT A
|
| 01:17:39 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL TRAIN. I THINK THERE'S ACTUALLY OTHER REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE
|
| 01:17:44 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
CRESCENT. >> ALL RIGHT. LET ME ASK YOU THIS: PERSONS
|
| 01:17:48 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT SEAT BELTS ON TRAINS. WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT
|
| 01:17:53 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
ISSUE? >> WELL,
|
| 01:17:54 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
I THINK MR. BOARDMAN CAN PROBABLY HELP ME WITH THAT. YOU HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT PROFILE
|
| 01:17:59 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN TERMS OF DECELERATION AND ANY SORT OF CRASH DYNAMICS. I THINK THERE ARE PROBABLY MANY
|
| 01:18:05 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
OTHER PRIORITIES BEFORE THAT IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE SAFETY REALM AND I THINK MR. BOARDMAN CAN PROBABLY HELP ME ON THAT FRONT. >> I WOULD BE GLAD...
|
| 01:18:15 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IS GET YOU AN ENGINEERING RESPONSE FROM OUR SAFETY FOLKS. >> ALL RIGHT. I WOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. LET ME ASK YOU THIS: AS PRESIDENT OF...
|
| 01:18:33 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
YOU WERE JUST, WE REDUCED ALL THE REGULATION US ON AND YOU WERE RUNNING THIS AS A PRIVATE
|
| 01:18:40 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
BUSINESS, TELL ME TWO OR THREE THINGS THAT YOU COULD DO THAT WOULD JUST START, YOU'RE GOING TO RUN AMTRAK AS A PRIVATE BUSINESS, WHAT ARE THREE THINGS...
|
| 01:19:20 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
OF OPINION. >> IF YOU HAD PRIVATE EMPLOYEES, NON-UNION, BECAUSE I HAVE HAD SOME PRIVATE RAIL PEOPLE TELL ME WE COULD MAKE MONEY ON IT BUT -- >> PRIVATE...
|
| 01:19:42 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
MONEY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO HAVE SOME VERY HIGH-SKILLED FOLKS, THERE'S A MARKET OUT THERE. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE THAT MAKING
|
| 01:19:49 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THE UNIONS, YOU KNOW, GO AWAY WOULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THAT PROFILE. FUNDAMENTALLY IF YOU LOOK AT A FARE BOX RECOVERY NUMBER, YES, NORTHEAST CORRIDOR...
|
| 01:20:43 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
VIEW IS THAT WE CAN GET THERE WITH A FAIRLY DRAMATIC STEP AT 80 TO 100 MILE AN HOUR SERVICE. THE EXAMPLE I LIKE TO USE IS CHICAGO TO DETROIT. I THINK...
|
| 01:20:59 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
HOUR SERVICE BETWEEN CHICAGO AND DETROIT. ILY THE WOULD BE REAL RIDERSHIP THERE. I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING BETWEEN L.A. AND OAKLAND. THERE'S HIGH SPEED...
|
| 01:22:03 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
30 METROPOLITAN AREAS, POPULATION GROWTH IN THE TOTAL SIZE OF
|
| 01:22:07 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
THAT GROUP OF SIX AND YOU'VE NOW SUGGESTED WELL, MAYBE ONE OUGHT TO GET TO OAKLAND. THAT PASSES THROUGH THREE OF THEM. AND GETS TO YOU THE SACRAMENTO...
|
| 01:26:55 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
GET THREE FOR ONE. YOU HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY,
|
| 01:26:57 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
THAT'S ONE EXAMPLE. >> THAT'S WHAT MY RANKING MEMBER WAS SUGGESTING, ARE WE GOING TO GET ANY BENEFITS OUT OF IMPROVING ANY OF THESE ROUTES THROUGH...
|
| 01:27:06 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
YOUR OWNERSHIP LIST. >> I THINK, PART OF IT. >> I THINK EVERY PROJECT COULD YOU POTENTIALLY SHOW SOME BENEFIT TO THE FREIGHT RAILROADS, AND THAT'S...
|
| 01:27:19 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
BETTER JOB OF ON-TIME PERFORMANCE. BUT MIGHT ALSO BE A FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES. A BIT OF A DAY DREAM BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE ROUTE UP THE CENTRAL...
|
| 01:27:28 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THE INTERESTING THING TO ME ABOUT THAT IS BOTH THE UNION PACIFIC
|
| 01:27:30 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
AND THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FAEE FE WOULD BENEFIT FROM FLUIDITY. THREE PARTIES INTERESTED IN THAT, MIGHT OFFER SOME INTERESTING FINANCIAL STRUCTURE...
|
| 01:28:18 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
MOVE THIS DEBATE FORWARD AND KNOW THAT WE NEED TO HAVE INNER CITY PASSENGER RAIL IN THE COUNTRY AND THE STATES ARE AN INTEGRAL PARTNER. THAT'S WHAT...
|
| 01:28:54 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
BUDGETED OR
|
| 01:28:55 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
WE CONTINUE BUDGETING WAGE RATES THAT WERE NOT REALIZED BECAUSE A SETTLEMENT WAS NOT MADE. AND AGAIN, WERE IT NOT FOR THAT AGAIN ONE CAN IN A SENSE
|
| 01:29:08 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
VIEW THAT AS EVERY YEAR THERE IS SOME CARRY OVER, CAN ALSO BE RELATIVE TO CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE DELAYED, BUT WITHOUT THAT $200 MILLION WE PROBABLY...
|
| 01:29:45 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
BUDGET VARIANCES FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS. >> I'M GLAD TO HEAR TOO WHAT IN
|
| 01:29:50 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
TERMS OF THE DINING SITUATION, THE DINING CAR, THE SLEEPER CAR, THE TICKET DISCOUNTS, WE PUT THOSE IN THE '06 BILL. WE PUT SOME, I WOULD SAY LIMITS,...
|
| 01:30:09 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
BAD DEAL. >> OUGHT TO CONTINUE, RIGHT? >> WE INTEND IT TO. >> HOW ABOUT THIS, KATRINA. THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL EVENT BECAUSE DURING THE END OF '05, BEGINNING...
|
| 01:30:27 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THAT'S RIGHT. >> MY UNDERSTANDING
|
| 01:30:28 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
IS THAT YOU SAVED
|
| 01:30:29 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
MONEY FROM THAT. CAN
|
| 01:30:30 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
YOU TELL ME HOW
|
| 01:30:31 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
MUCH? >> I PROBABLY CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH.
|
| 01:30:34 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
I PROBABLY HAVE TO ASK MY BRAIN TRUST. NOT AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT. ABOUT 4 TO $5 MILLION, I'M TOLD. >> 4 TO 5? >> YES. >> WOULD YOU GET ME THAT SPECIFIC
|
| 01:30:47 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
INFORMATION. >> BE HAPPY TO. >>
|
| 01:30:48 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
I'VE HEARD RUMORS OF IT BEING AS HIGH AS 75. >> OH, NO. THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE.
|
| 01:30:53 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
AGAIN, ONLY THE EASTERN HALF OF THE SUNSET. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION. THEN THE QUESTION OF THE FOR-PROFIT ADD-ONS. HOW MUCH REVENUE,
|
| 01:31:03 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
IF ANY, IS COMING FROM
|
| 01:31:04 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THAT YOU? MENTIONED THAT. >> I'M
|
| 01:31:06 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
SORRY,
|
| 01:31:07 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
SIR. THAT'S IDEA WE'RE WORKING THROUGH. >> A FUTURE. >>
|
| 01:31:10 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
JUST IN THE
|
| 01:31:11 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
EARLY STAGES OF THINKING THROUGH. >> THAT'S FINE. I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING, YOU'RE TO BE COMMENDED FOR BRINGING
|
| 01:31:17 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
ABOUT I THINK SOME WISDOM AS TO WHAT KIND OF SERVICES YOU DO OFFER. WE FOUND OUT THAT SOME TICKETS WERE BEING SOLD FOR 5 AND 10 CENTS ON
|
| 01:31:27 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THE DOLLAR. THAT STOPPED. I
|
| 01:31:29 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
HOPE TO GOD IT STOPPED BECAUSE THAT WAS WHAT WE PUT
|
| 01:31:32 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN PLAY.
|
| 01:31:33 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
IT'S INTERESTING TO ME, IF YOU CHARGE PEOPLE SOMETHING THAT'S REASONABLE, THEY'RE GOING TO PAY YOU FOR ITF THE RIDERSHIP IS UP, TELLS ME SOMETHING THAT...
|
| 01:32:32 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
IN 2010 IT WOULD BE ABOUT 166 MILLION INCREMENTAL. NOW, SOME OF THAT OBVIOUSLY WE CAN OFFSET PROBABLY NOT ALL OF IT. IT ALSO DEPENDS ON I THINK CRITICALLY...
|
| 01:33:16 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
HAVE PRESENTED OPTIONS FOR SAVINGS. WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE COST SAVINGS ACTIONS THAT AMTRAK COULD TAKE TO BRIDGE THE GAP AT 450 MILLION DOLLAR GAP...
|
| 01:33:56 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
WILL BE CONDUCTED. BUT WHAT WE REALLY BELIEVE HERE IS WE HAVE A $3
|
| 01:34:00 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
BILLION COMPANY AND THAT $3
|
| 01:34:02 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
BILLION COMPANY HAS PLACES THAT IT NEEDS TO IMPROVE, IT KNOWS ITSELF NEEDS TO IMPROVE, IT'S TRYING TO SET ABOUT MAKING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS. WE REALLY...
|
| 01:34:36 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE OVERALL. I WAS WONDERING, I KNOW THERE HAS
|
| 01:34:42 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
BEEN SOME STEPS TAKEN IN THAT WARE TO TRY TO CORRECT THAT. I WAS WONDERING WHAT KIND OF TIME TABLES DO WE EXPECT IN SOME OF THE EDUCATION THAT'S NEEDED...
|
| 01:36:07 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
MOST RECENT ONE I BELIEVE WAS REALLY TRAIN HANDLING. IT WASN'T A TRACK PROBLEM AND I THINK MANY OF THE ACCIDENTS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOME FATIGUE...
|
| 01:38:35 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
OTHERS. ANY POSSIBILITIES? IS IT JUST PIE IN THE SKY? >> THERE'S STILL DISCUSSION THAT'S GOING ON DOWN IN TEXAS TODAY ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT CORRIDORS....
|
| 01:39:01 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
NOW TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE IS ALL FREIGHT. THERE ISN'T A CONNECTION WITH -- >> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF. >> WITH PASSENGER ANYWHERE WITH MEXICO....
|
| 01:39:29 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
EVEN IN
|
| 01:39:30 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
CANADA, THERE'S ONLY THREE CONNECTIONS.
|
| 01:39:32 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
THERE'S ONE THAT GOES ACROSS TO MONTREAL, ONE THAT GOES ACROSS TO TORONTO AND THE ONE THAT GOES ACROSS TO BRITISH COLOMBIA, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE ONLY...
|
| 01:39:50 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
LARGE NUMBER OF THEM, INSTEAD OF THEM COMING IN CARS, GETTING ON THE TRAIN, COMING ACROSS, VICE VERSA, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE PART OF THAT. I...
|
| 01:40:04 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
COMING ACROSS. >> IT WAS JUST MENTIONED TO ME, MY UNDERSTANDING IS FIVE YEARS AGO THERE WAS A PROPOSAL RELATIVE TO MONTEREY AND THERE WAS NEVER ULTIMATELY...
|
| 01:40:26 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
HAVE YOU LOOKED AT TO GREENSBORO TO CHARLOTTE AS A POSSIBLE? >> WELL YES, THAT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR...
|
| 01:41:12 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
LOOKING AT THE I-295 CORRIDOR. THAT, IF YOU LOOK TEN OR 15 YEARS FORWARD OR TEN YEARS
|
| 01:41:19 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
FOR, SHOULD CLEARLY BE ONE OF THE AREAS THAT THERE'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. "I THINK THE NORTH CAROLINA PROGRAM IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF AN INCREMENTAL...
|
| 01:42:06 |
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. - U.S. Representative, [R] Virginia
WARMING, CARBON DIOXIDE. ALL THESE ARE PROBLEMS. ERRORS ON AS THE NUMBER ONE
|
| 01:42:12 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
GROWING STATE IN TERMS OF POPULATION. IT HAS BEEN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. WE COMPETE A LOT WITH NEVADA AND I THINK PHOENIX NOW IS THE FIFTH LARGEST...
|
| 01:44:52 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
NEAR TERM OF KNISLEY TUSCON PHOENIX MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. >> AND HEADED TO LOS ANGELES TO GO WEST. I'M ONLY ASKING TO GET INFORMATION. OBVIOUSLY IT...
|
| 01:45:18 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
FREIGHT, THEY SEE THEMSELVES. SO THE OPPORTUNITY IS TO DOUBLE TRACK, A DOUBLE TRACK BETWEEN TUCSON AND PHOENIX, SO BY DOING THAT THEN YOU WOULD HAVE...
|
| 01:45:58 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
NORTH OF TUCSON WOULD RECTIFY SOME OF THE PROBLEMS YOU JUST MENTIONED. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT A PLUG IN HERE. WE WANT TO SEE THE STATE PRODUCE A...
|
| 01:46:16 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
HAS INTERESTS. I AM BRINGING IT UP BECAUSE THE DISCUSSION IS OCCURRING RIGHT NOW AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, A., WITH
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| 01:46:25 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
THE MAYOR OF TUSCON, THE MAYOR OF PHOENIX BECAUSE WE SEE THAT THE FREEWAY WE HAVE NOW BETWEEN TUSCON AND PHOENIX IS CONGESTED AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE --...
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| 01:47:07 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
PHOENIX. SO IT WOULD BE -- THERE'S A SENSE OF REALISM THAT YOU COULD CONNECT BETWEEN PHOENIX AND L.A. BECAUSE MIRACLE BUC, KOREY YOU NOW HAVE UNION...
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| 01:47:48 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
THAT THIS CONVERSATION WILL PROCEED FORWARD TO SEE
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| 01:47:52 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
HOW WE CAN CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMTRAK AND THE REAL LINES. THANK YOU. >> MR. KNOLLENBERG, WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH ORDERS HERE SO THAT HE CAN...
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| 01:48:09 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
END. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. CHAIRMAN. I WILL BE FAIRLY BRIEF. MR. KUMMANT, I UNDERSTAND AMTRAK HAS EMBARKED ON A PROJECT TO IMPROVE THEIR ACCOUNTING
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| 01:48:21 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY. WHAT INFORMATION CAN YOU PROVIDE TO THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT THE NEW ACCOUNTING AND
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| 01:48:31 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY IS MOVING AHEAD AS PLANNED AND HOPEFULLY IMPLEMENTED EXPEDITIOUSLY? WE WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR PLANS AND THEIR...
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| 01:49:09 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
THEY WERE STRUCTURED. WE HAVE ACTUALLY DECIDED TO LOOK AT A MORE COMPREHENSIVE FIX BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SO MANY LEGACY SYSTEMS, SO MANY SILO SYSTEMS THAT...
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| 01:50:27 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY DOES A TRAIN START IN CHICAGO AND END UP -- IT IS A GREAT TOWN, FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE VIRGINIA. WHY? THEY HAVE TO CONNECT...
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| 01:51:13 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
DROOLS OVER MANY DIFFERENT LINES. YOU WERE TO LOOK AT A REAL MAP THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SEGMENTS IT TRAVELS OVER. IF YOU OVERLAY THAT MAP
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| 01:51:24 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
WITH BIFFLE, HE WOULD SIT
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| 01:51:26 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
TRAVELING
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| 01:51:28 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
OVER. >> THERE MUST BE ANSWERED HERE THAT THE SHORT AND SIMPLE. WAS THERE ANOTHER REAL
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| 01:51:34 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
COMING THE OTHER WAY AT THAT TIME? >> NO, I CAN. A COMIC GOES ON TO D.C. AND THEN NEW YORK BUT IT IS A HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE. >> IT...
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| 01:51:50 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
SIR. IT IS THE TRAIN THAT IS CALLED THE CARNELL, YES SIR. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A ROUTE MAP OF
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| 01:51:58 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
EXACTLY THE ORIGIN -- I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY WOULD COME OUT OF CHICAGO AND GUTTER INDIANAPOLIS. IF YOU ARE IN INDIANAPOLIS AND
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| 01:52:08 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
WANTED YOU TO WASHINGTON
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| 01:52:10 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
D.C. YOU HAVE TO GO TO CHICAGO OR GROWTH THROUGH CHARLOTTESVILLE. >> THERE ER MANY EXAMPLES
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| 01:52:17 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
LIKE THAT WHERE ONE IS NEVER LESS CAPTIVE TO GEOGRAPHY. >> I'M NOT TRYING TO RECORD THAT YOU. IT SEEMED ODD TO ME THAT THAT WAS HOW DEVELOPED. I DO...
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| 01:52:37 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
RODRIGUEZ, WHO I THINK MAY HAVE BEEN ANSWERED YOUR QUESTION. IF HE DOES NOT, I
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| 01:52:43 |
Knollenberg, Joe - U.S. Representative, [R] Michigan
DO. >> I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON 11 OTHER THING. THAT WAS THE EL PASO -- ACTUALLY A PROPOSAL IN TERMS OF TRYING TO BRING DOWN THE NUMBER OF
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| 01:52:55 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
VEHICLES THAT COME ACROSS THE BORDER AND HAVE IT ACTUALLY MORE CONTROLLED SO IT MAKES SENSE. THE MAYOR THERE HAS PUSHED THE POSSIBILITY OF A REAL THAT
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| 01:53:06 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
WOULD COME ACROSS BACK AND FORTH WITH A VOLUME OF PEOPLE THAT COME ACROSS. IT IS A PRETTY GOOD-SIZED CITY. I KNOW THAT, MY GOD, I WAS IN THE TEXAS...
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| 01:53:49 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
APPROACH TO TAKE? IS IT
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| 01:53:51 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
SEGMENTS AND A POINT FROM SAN ANTONIN TOO OFTEN, THAT KIND OF THING? >> IN
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| 01:53:57 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
TERMS OF THE ACTUAL ROUTE STRUCTURE? UNFORTUNATELY, I'M NOT COMPLETELY WITH HOW THE PROPOSED ROUTE STRUCTURE WAS LAID OUT. AGAIN, I WOULD SAY THAT IS
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| 01:54:09 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
THE SORT OF SITUATION WHERE ONE MIGHT LOOK AT AN INTERMEDIATE APPROACH WITH A 100-MILE AN HOUR SERVICE. >> THE OTHER THING IF I
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| 01:54:19 |
Kummant, Alexander - President and CEO
COULD WEIGH IN FOR A MINUTE. ONE THING WE NEED FROM MEXICO IS AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEM WORKING WITH US ON SAFETY REGULATIONS AND ON QUALIFICATIONS...
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| 01:54:39 |
Boardman, Joseph - Administrator
A FIZZLED OUT. >> SO THAT IS ESSENTIAL. THANK YOU. >> I THINK I HAVE AN ANSWER TO MR. KNOLLENBERG. AS I WAS TOLD, AND WE READ HISTORY, I THINK WAS...
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| 01:55:02 |
Rodriguez, Ciro - U.S. Representative, [D] Texas
LINE AND IT. >> I THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE
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| 01:55:06 |
Pastor, Ed - U.S. Representative, [D] Arizona
THERE WAS A CERTAIN CARDINAL, IT WAS NAMED CARDINAL BECAUSE THERE WAS A CERTAIN CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIATIONS THAT HAPPEN TO COME FROM WEST VIRGINIA....
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| 01:55:25 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
KNEW THAT. MAYBE YOU HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND POLITICS IN WASHINGTON FOR VERY LONG. BUT THIS HAS BEEN A VERY USEFUL HEARING I THINK. I AGREED WITH MIKE...
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| 01:55:39 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
I WOULD LIKE TO PARAPHRASE
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| 01:55:41 |
Olver, John W. - U.S. Representative, [D] Massachusetts
THE WORDS OF A FORMER HIGH GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, PROVIDE PASSENGER RAILS WHERE THE RULES ARE, NOT WHERE YOU WISH IT WERE. IN PHOENIX IS ONE OF THOSE...
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NOTE: The transcript for this program was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.