This is an edited version of Roger's excellent Commission report. I've edited it to help clarify some points that I felt might not be clear to the casual reader.
Don
Interesting meeting.
4a Outlook for 2000 season - Ridership is standing at about 1000 ahead of the RGRPC projected ridership.
4b Status of Computerized Reservation System. Smalley & Ed McLaughlin reported we had had some problems but everything was much better now. However a representative from the bus company explained that from their point of view, there was still a problem and that in the previous 3 days the busses had carried 60 + more people than they were told to expect.
The current arrangement is that there is a bus waiting at Cumbres to take riders who had purchased Antonito to Cumbres tickets, and another bus waiting at Chama to take those who had purchased through tickets from Antonito to Chama back to their point of origin. The Cumbres bus, which is scheduled to arrive in Antonito at 4:00 pm is then available for those who rode the train from Chama to Antonito (scheduled arrival at 4:45). However, if there are more people riding through from Chama to Antonito than will fit on one bus, they may be resigned to wait for the bus from Chama (scheduled arrival at 5:30). The bus company pointed out that riders must be aware that there could be a delay on their return to Chama and that a second bus is on its way (the bus carrying those who rode the train from Antonito to Chama). The Commission told the RGRPC that this is a problem which needed to be addressed.
4c Status of Locomotive work - Locomotive maintenance is behind because of the unanticipated need to use many employees on projects other than engine maintenance. Questions were asked on how they were going to get this under control.
4d. EDA track work. Finally good news lots of progress.
4e Osier Water Tank Project - Also good news on the progress.
4f. 30th Anniversary Celebration - Possible special Train and a big party, Pony express to ride from Antonito & Chama and meet at Osier. Sounds like a lot of effort is being put into this and it should come off quite well.
6. Appropriation Request - Looks like the commission will be asking for $415,000 from the states for three projects Boiler Work, Track Grant, & Antonito shop. It is not clear how much support the Commission has from the two communities or their elected officials
7. Triad Agreement - The need to have a new one in place since a new operator is in place was made clear. The commission at this time questioned the make up of the RGRPC Board of Directors, given the high level of crossover between the RGRPC and the Friends Board of Directors. It was also brought up that when the Friends got the contract they promised they would stay at least a full arms length from the new corporation. Terri Shaw, executive director of the Friends, explained that having the same people on both boards was one way to avoid being questioned about the non-profit status of the RGRPC. It was pointed out to her that there were other ways to accomplish the same goal. Terri asked if the Commission was telling the Friends how to do this, and she was told that no the Commission was not telling them how to do it, however if the Commission doesn't like the way it is done they will not approve it. Terri had stated that there were 3 members of the 5 member RGRPC board that were on both boards. No comment was made when it was pointed out that the Cumbres & Toltec RR web page stated there were 7 members on the RGRPC BOD, 4 of whom held seats on both boards.
