Please note that these changes will represent the first expansion of Amtrak passenger rail service in Ohio since 1998. These are discussed in more detail in the latest issue of the Ohio Passenger Rail News, All Aboard Ohio's official newsletter, which went into the mail this week. If you do not receive your newsletter by the end of the week, it is likely because you have renewed your dues in 2010. Please call our Columbus office 614-228-6005 to verify if your dues are current. Please leave a detailed message if there is no answer. Thanks! KJP
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Amtrak Long Distance Performance Improvement Plans This Week
Performance Improvement Plans will be submitted to Congress
on Sept. 30 for California Zephyr, Cardinal, Capitol Limited,
Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle service, as required in the
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Since its creation in 2006, the Marketing and Product
Development department has dedicated teams to make route-
Performance Improvement Plans will be submitted to Congress
on Sept. 30 for California Zephyr, Cardinal, Capitol Limited,
Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle service, as required in the
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Since its creation in 2006, the Marketing and Product
Development department has dedicated teams to make route-
specific improvements in customer service and product quality.
In 2008, the department launched its first formal Route
Performance Improvement (RPI) program in collaboration with
several other departments. Interdepartmental teams reviewed
every aspect of six long-distance and corridor routes, then
formulated an improvement plan to improve customer
satisfaction, increase ridership and reduce operating costs. RPI
programs were conducted on six additional routes in 2009.
"PRIIA basically requires that we continue our RPI efforts to
maximize the value of long-distance service for passengers and
for the company," said Brian Rosenwald, chief, Product
Development. "If we can reach agreements with the host
railroads, I'm confident our plans will generate the
improvements that we want, and that Congress has requested."
Primary recommendations for the California Zephyr include
customer service training and recognition programs for
employees, and new equipment inspection and follow-up
procedures. Recommendations in the Cardinal improvement
plan are to implement daily service between New York and
Chicago (KJP: via Cincinnati and the cross-river towns of
In 2008, the department launched its first formal Route
Performance Improvement (RPI) program in collaboration with
several other departments. Interdepartmental teams reviewed
every aspect of six long-distance and corridor routes, then
formulated an improvement plan to improve customer
satisfaction, increase ridership and reduce operating costs. RPI
programs were conducted on six additional routes in 2009.
"PRIIA basically requires that we continue our RPI efforts to
maximize the value of long-distance service for passengers and
for the company," said Brian Rosenwald, chief, Product
Development. "If we can reach agreements with the host
railroads, I'm confident our plans will generate the
improvements that we want, and that Congress has requested."
Primary recommendations for the California Zephyr include
customer service training and recognition programs for
employees, and new equipment inspection and follow-up
procedures. Recommendations in the Cardinal improvement
plan are to implement daily service between New York and
Chicago (KJP: via Cincinnati and the cross-river towns of
Maysville, South Portsmouth, Ashland and Huntington) as
well as improving food service, baggage handling and
marketing strategy.
The key proposal for Capitol Limited service is the introduction
of single-seat through-service at Pittsburgh, allowing passengers
from Chicago (KJP: plus Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland
marketing strategy.
The key proposal for Capitol Limited service is the introduction
of single-seat through-service at Pittsburgh, allowing passengers
from Chicago (KJP: plus Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland
and Alliance) to connect directly with cities along the
Pennsylvanian route, including Philadelphia and New York. In
addition to merging Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle into single
daily service between Chicago and Los Angeles, the plan for
these routes includes daily connecting service from San Antonio
to New Orleans.
Each Performance Improvement Plan will be available on
Amtrak.com on Sept. 30 under "Inside Amtrak"? "Reports and
Documents"
Pennsylvanian route, including Philadelphia and New York. In
addition to merging Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle into single
daily service between Chicago and Los Angeles, the plan for
these routes includes daily connecting service from San Antonio
to New Orleans.
Each Performance Improvement Plan will be available on
Amtrak.com on Sept. 30 under "Inside Amtrak"? "Reports and
Documents"
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
