Amtrak tickets on Northeast Corridor will now show carbon-emission savings
Amtrak will add information on carbon-emission savings to Northeast Corridor tickets, showing how much they saved by not driving and by not flying. On the electrified route between Boston and Washington, D.C., Amtrak says use of its trains produces 83% less emissions than driving and 73% less than flying. “Climate change continues to be one of the world’s most pressing issues, and we want passengers to know that traveling on Amtrak can help lower their carbon footprint compared to traveling in another manner,” Amtrak’s Caroline Decker, vice president, Northeast Corridor Service Line, said in a press release. Amtrak plans to add similar information to all tickets across its national network in the future.
Grapevine, Texas, opens ‘Main Station,’ with rail facility, hotel, other features
Grapevine, Texas, has marked the opening of Grapevine Main Station, a new public-private partnership, $114 million development including a 42,000-square-foot train station, with grand opening ceremonies on station. The brick structure, featuring 19th-century design features including a 150-foot-tall observation tower, serves Trinity Metro’s TEXRail commuter line, as well as the Grapevine Vintage Railroad tourist rail operation. Fort Worth Business Press reports other features include the Hotel Vin, a 120-room Marriott Autograph Collection boutique hotel; Harvest Hall, a seven-kitchen, European-style food hall; and Peace Plaza, a 38,000-square-foot plaza area featuring an interactive water feature. More information is available at the Grapevine website.
Transportation agency, legislature make moves to boost Oklahoma City commuter rail
Efforts to launch commuter rail service in the Oklahoma City, Okla., area advanced on two fronts last week, as the area’s Regional Transportation Authority board endorsed a plan to study four corridors for rail service, and the state legislator passed a measure to limit liability for railroads that contract to allow commuter trains on their routes. The Oklahoman reports the corridors would converge at a renovated former Santa Fe station in the central business district that would also be a hub for bus and streetcar service. The transit plan will now go to the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments for inclusion in long-range planning.
You can prove anything with statistics. How is the alleged carbon savings of rail inflated? Three ways: (1) rail isn’t the most direct route for most trips. It is in the general case a three-seat ride adding up to more miles in total than a one-seat ride by car. (2) Ignores shop moves, non-revenue, and positioning moves which rail (or bus or subway or air) are generally much more than automotive travel. Also auto moves at suburban park-rides can be significant energy-wasters. (3) Ignores crew positioning which takes energy and emits carbon. A private auto doesn’t require a crew.
I’m all for trains – more trains than we have now – but now for ginned-up statistics.