Cross Border Rail PassengerCorridor Development

Transportation Border Working GroupNovember 1, 2011 – Niagara Falls, ON

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Presented by Amtrak also on behalf of:

New York State DOT

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Presentation Outline

• Border Security Concerns Agency Issues with On Board Processing. Carrier Issues with Off Board Processing.

• Two Types of Routes Require Different Solutions Single Station in Canada. Multiple stations on both sides of the border.

• Single Station Corridor Services Amtrak Cascades – Portland / Seattle / Vancouver . Adirondack – New York / Albany / Montreal. Future – NEC / Vermont / Montreal.

• Multiple Stops Corridor Services Maple Leaf – New York / Niagara Falls / Toronto. Future – Chicago / Michigan / Ontario / Quebec (Potentially after 2015

with VIA Rail Canada).

• What’s next?

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Lack of Process for Border Security

• Customs and Immigration inspection processes evolved locally and independently following 9/11.

• Before 9/11 informal on-train screening was satisfactory.

• Passenger rail does not fit air or highway models.

• Issues other than terrorism.

• On train inspection no longer satisfactory from the perspective of border agencies. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

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Agency Issues with On-Board Inspection

• Lacks the privacy to properly interview travelers especially about sensitive issues.

• Inability to clearly match every item of baggage to its owner.

• Poor connectivity with agency information technologies.

• Safety and security risks with potentially unruly passengers and officer firearms.

• Inability to inspect a completely empty train.

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Amtrak Issues with Enroute Off-Board Inspection• Unsafe at low platforms especially in bad weather

Elderly and ADA passengers. Passengers carrying infants and small children.

• Serious inconvenience to passengers Unloading baggage. Requirement for coats and hats in cold weather.

• Long border dwell times cause longer trip times

• All passengers must wait until the last passenger has cleared.

• Frequent delays exacerbate poor on-time performance at down-line stations.

• In conflict with intent of Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 for Amtrak to improve on-time performance.

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Characteristics of Two Route Types

• Single Canadian Station Non-stop operation between the border and the Canadian station. Entire train operation conducted by Amtrak with BNSF/CN support. Closed door operation within Canada. Secure sterile train enclosure in the Canadian station. Enclosure access controlled by CBSA and CBP. All Amtrak crew members to be pre-approved by Canadian authorities. Direct communications between Amtrak train crew, CBSA and CBP. Examples: Amtrak Cascades, Adirondack, and prospectively Vermont.

• Multiple stations on both sides of the border Major communities on both sides of the border that cannot be bypassed. Train operation shared by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada with CN and CSX

support. Designated future high speed corridors. Expedited border process possibilities are unclear … but … It makes little sense to run 110 MPH only to stop at the border for an hour. Examples: Maple Leaf and prospectively Michigan / Ontario / Quebec.

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“Amtrak Cascades”

• Schedule – Two daily round trips Morning northbound train turns for late day southbound. Late evening northbound train turns for morning southbound. Operate non-stop closed-door in Canada to/from a sterile compound in

Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station (PCS). Amtrak operation and crews end to end.

• Customs and Immigration Advance manifest to border agencies. Facility improvements at PCS completed in 2010. CBSA performs all inspections in PCS. CBP performs immigration pre-inspection in PCS. CBP performs customs inspection on-board at Blaine, WA.

• Objective A fully functioning joint CBSA / CBP facility performing all customs and

immigration functions for all passengers in both directions and replacing southbound stop at Blaine WA.

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“Amtrak Cascades”

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“Adirondack”

• Schedule – One daily round trip Morning departure and evening arrival in both directions at New York and

Montreal Central Station. Currently stops at St. Lambert QC and Montreal but could operate non-

stop closed door in Canada to sterile compound in Central Station. Amtrak operation and crews end to end.

• Customs and Immigration Advance manifest to border agencies. CBSA inspection on board at Lacolle QC with secondary screening at

nearby highway facility. CBP inspection on board at Rouses Point NY with secondary screening at

nearby highway facility.

• Objectives Construct a joint new customs and immigration facility in Montreal Central

Station replacing Lacolle and Rouses Point - estimated cost $3.0 million. Discontinue stop at St. Lambert and operate non-stop closed-door

between the border and Montreal. Provide same day connections to all primary VIA services.

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“Adirondack”

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“Maple Leaf”

• Schedule – One daily round trip Morning departure and evening arrival in both directions at New York and Toronto. Entirely Amtrak equipment. An Amtrak train in New York State but a VIA Rail Canada train in Ontario. Operating crew change at first station in Canada. Cleaning and servicing by Amtrak in New York and by VIA in Toronto.

• Customs and immigration Advance manifest to border agencies. Trains make intermediate stops on both sides of the border precluding end point

customs and immigration inspection. CBSA inspection after full offload in the VIA Rail Niagara Falls Station. CBP inspection is currently on board the train at station with secondary screening

in Amtrak Niagara Falls station. CBP plans full offload at “new” station at the old Customs House now being rebuilt

in Niagara Falls NY.

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“Maple Leaf”

• Whirlpool Rapids Bridge Owned by Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. CN filing for abandonment of rail rights. Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada in negotiations with NFBC for use. Roughly $2.0 million more needed for track replacement.

• Customs House Station expected to open January 2014 Project is fully funded with the City of Niagara Falls as sponsor. Thereafter CBP full passenger and baggage offload for inspection will add

more delay.

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“Maple Leaf”

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What’s next?

• Single destination corridors Enough known about requirements to get started on implementation. Vancouver

o British Columbia to designate a preclearance host agency.

Montrealo Validate modified (for CBP) conceptual plan for Montreal.o Work with Quebec to confirm a “host agency” responsible for managing

construction.o Canada and U.S. to create a legal basis for preclearance.o Discussions between Amtrak / Quebec / New York / Vermont / U.S. and Canada

agencies with regard to funding options.

• Multiple stop corridors A much more difficult challenge. Some possible precedents in Europe and in the Shiprider program. Amtrak / VIA / New York / Michigan / Ontario / CBSA / CBP to develop and

discuss options.