Comments on: KDOT, Amtrak release passenger rail study

By: Garl B. Latham

Garl B. Latham — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:46:04 +0000

I recently posted a column on Progressive Railroading’s blog site entitled “KDOT versus reality.” Anyone who’s interested is cordially invited to read the piece:

http://myprogressiverailroading.com/blogs/gblatham/archive/2010/03/28/kdot-versus-reality.aspx

Thanks!
Garl B. Latham
Dallas, Texas

By: ryanwc

ryanwc — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:40:04 +0000

I’m curious – is anyone talking about extending the River Runner, either instead of the Heartland Flyer, or to meet an extended Heartland Flyer in Newton or in Topeka? It seems like this would make better use of crews and equipment (my sense is that 6 hours or so is the best distance for a run based on the hours crews can work.)

By: Teresa Cunningham

Teresa Cunningham — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 06:01:07 +0000

Oklahoma just tore up their rails at Union Station, the general public here has no idea what the people in “charge” have in store for our state.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:55:45 +0000

Many thanks!

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:13:31 +0000

From the study:

“…projected ridership and ticket revenue results [are] based upon an assessment of several other key service parameters including (1) population
size and demographics of the geographic area to be served; (2) the proposed level of daily service, i.e., the number of daily train frequencies; (3) the length of
scheduled trip duration; and (4) competing modes of alternative transportation.”

The study itself was performed by AECOM, an independent company specializing in transportation planning.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:52:43 +0000

I’m very encouraged by this turn of events. I hope this brings Kansas a step forward towards embracing more mass transit and maybe this can be a catalyst towards commuter rail in JoCo/WyCo or even a regional light rail system.

Or at the very least, an improved JO.

Dave, do you know how they come up with those ridership estimates?