January 8, 2003

Galveston City Council
 

Galveston City Council today will be asked to approve an agreement with Amtrak to operate excursion trains, with four to six passenger coaches, between the Clear Lake Area and Galveston's Railroad Museum during both weekends of Mardi Gras.

Transportation consultant Barry Goodman said hopes to extend the train to downtown Houston were not successful for this project.  However, he said there is a possibility that the northern terminus may be Ellington Field, with a METRO bus link to downtown Houston.

"There are many details still to work out, but we are excited about this next rail passenger demonstration program," Goodman said.  "We believe that we will be able to obtain railroad passenger cars that are double-decked and can carry twice as many passengers as the demonstration was able to carry during last Labor Day."

Goodman said there will be a fee for the excursion train this year, but the amount has not been determined.

Shan English, the consultant hired to study the efficiency of the Galveston Fire Department, will report to the city council that four additional firefighters, plus retirement of three vehicles, will provide provide enough personnel to put four men on trucks responding to fires.  Firefighter union members will dispute the report's findings.

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