Trains are better for our environment than other modes of travel.

4. Trains are better for our environment than other modes of travel.

5. Trains emit fewer greenhouse gases* 17.45 oz. 9.57 oz. 3 oz. Ounces per passenger per mile. * Sierra Club

6. Trains are more fuel efficient * One gallon diesel fuel One ton freight 59 miles 404 miles * American Railroad Association

7. Trains are more energy efficient * 911 5,255 BTUs per passenger per mile * American Public Transportation Association

8. Federal Transportation Funding1977-2001 (25 years) • Total $782 billion • Highways 48.4% • Air 22.4% • Ports 12.3% • Transit 12.1% • Rail 4.0%

9. Rail funding in Virginia • Most states do not have a dedicated, reliable source of funds to invest in rail • Virginia has not had a rail fund • Virginia’s Transportation Trust Fund formula: • Highways 78.7% • Transit 14.7% • Ports 4.2% • Airports 2.4% • Rail 0%

10. What have all these $$ bought us? Congestion Global warming Oil Dependency & $3.00 gas

11. New Rail Fund Established • Governor’s Commission for Rail Enhancement for the 21st Century recommends dedicated rail fund • 2005 General Assembly adopts legislation establishing rail fund • Devotes portion of vehicle rental tax to rail • $23 million annually (still only 1%)

12. Charlottesville – DC RailAn idea whose time has come (again)!

13. “Back to the Future” • Charlottesville was a major East-West and North-South commercial hub • Rail activity peaked in the 1920’s • Frequent intercity passenger trains between Charlottesville and Washington, D. C. • “Taking the train” to Washington was a regular part of life in Charlottesville

14. “Back to the Future”

16. “Back to the Future”

18. “Back to the Future” • In 1956, there were a total of 22 daily passenger trains between Charlottesville and Washington, D.C. • Southern Railway = 16 daily trips (8 in each direction) • Chesapeake &Ohio = 6 daily trips (3 in each direction)

19. Southern Crescent (pre-Amtrak)

20. “Back to the Future” • 1971 AMTRAK takes over passenger service in the US • 2006 • one daily train in each direction (Crescent) • 2 daily trains three times weekly (Cardinal)

21. AMTRAK’s Virginia Service Network

22. Amtrak CrescentDaily Service

23. Amtrak CardinalThree times per week

24. Amtrak annual passengers

25. Amtrak: Number of trains per week

26. Amtrak:Annual passengers per train

27. Who owns the rails in Virginia? 3,400 miles of track All owned by the freight railroads 2,000 mi NS 1,000 mi CSX

28. Virginia Rail and Highway System mileage 1930 - 1990

29. CvilleRail • May 22, 2005 – press conference at Charlottesville Union Station

30. Why rail? Our travel options are limited Travelers on 29N and I-66 have little choice but to drive to reach their destination. With more frequent, accessible and reliable rail service, we believe many more individuals would choose the rail alternative. Trains are better for the environment According to Sierra Club calculations of air pollution per passenger mile for different modes of transportation, the 236 mile round trip to Washington from Charlottesville spews 4,118 oz. of damaging chemical emissions into the atmosphere by plane, 2,258 oz. by car, and only 708 oz. by train. Rail travel is the most energy-efficient of any form of mass transportation by far, including cars, planes or buses. Taking the train cuts traffic congestion The Route 29 and I-66 corridors become more congested every day and yet most travelers still drive. An alternative is intercity rail, for safer roads and less congestion. In the D.C. area, during peak traffic hours, VRE trains carry enough commuters to take one full lane of traffic off I-66 and I-95 every hour. Enhanced train service will spur Charlottesville’s urban revitalization It will stimulate new investment and keep the city’s economy moving forward.