An Introduction to AIPRO for the members of AASHTO/SCORT

March 15, 2011

The Bad News:

Section 209 of PRIIA dramatically increased the cost of state supported passenger rail services.

The Good News:

The states have been encouraged to competitively bid out their operations to achieve the lowest delivered price and highest quality.

AIPRO was founded to champion the rights given to states for embracing competition.

AIPRO members are actively providing customized passenger rail services today, and competing with each other in order to do so.

Each founding member of AIPRO brings a different mix of skills and experience to the passenger rail market space.

Herzog’s Transit Services provides train crews, train dispatchers and support personnel for the operation of passenger trains throughout the United States. Personnel are selected based on their ability to respond to passenger needs. All personnel undergo intensive training in operating rules and regulations and, as importantly, customer service. Safe, reliable service coupled with on-time performance is given the highest priority. Herzog also provides ticketing, concessions, and other customer service functions. www.herzogcompanies.com/transit_services.php.

In June 2010, Keolis Rail Services America took over operations of the Virginia Railway Express commuter network with the goals of improved service and value for money. This busy corridor, carrying 19,000 passengers on a daily basis, serves the southern and western suburbs of Washington, D.C.. The two lines run from Union Station in the heart of the nation’s capital, south to Fredericksburg and west to Manassas. Annually, these routes carry upwards of 18 million commuters. www.keolis.com

RailAmerica, Inc. owns and operates short line and regional freight railroads in North America, operating a portfolio of 40 individual railroads with approximately 7,300 miles of track in 27 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. www.railamerica.com.

Ratp Dev operates and maintains all modes of transportation (buses, metros, tramways and rail systems) worldwide. We offer the renowned expertise of RATP with the proximity and flexibility of a focused local organization. Local transport authorities on all continents aim to find efficient, sustainable and innovative mobility solutions adapted to their needs for today and tomorrow. From Brazil to Italy, from France to South Africa and Asia,… all over the world and now offering our expertise right here in America, Ratp Dev and its local affiliates provide value for money with modern, sustainable and reliable customized public transportation. www.ratpdev.com.

50 million people step onto trains operated by Veolia Transport each year. When they get off, they are in the sunlight of Southern California, or enjoying the view of the Pacific Ocean in San Diego County, or bundled up for a Sunday afternoon watching the New England Patriots.Or our rail riders might emerge in Berlin’s new eye-catching main train station, into the leafy suburbs of Melbourne, or facing Nice’s Mediterranean coastline. Veolia operates high-capacity rail systems of all types all around the globe: www.veoliatransportation.com

AIPRO recently testified at Congressman Mica’s field hearing on passenger rail service. Our message was echoed by FRA Administrator Szabo, who told the members that he would deliver on the PRIIA mandate for increased competition.

We are now eager to begin working with state section 209 committees who are just now beginning to review their competitive alternatives going forward.

For further information go to

www.passengerrail.org