If you do not know who Todd Litman is, it is time to educate yourself about his large body of work. Well researched and respected worldwide this Canadian's publication often promote public transit and passenger rail. His latest is about Smarter Solution to Traffic Congestion in 2014. Most people can agree that traffic congestion is wasteful and frustrating, but that is where the consensus ends. There are often contentious debates concerning which solution is best: whether to expand roads, improve public transit services, price road use, or implement transportation demand management strategies. These debates are often simplistic, based on incomplete and biased analysis. A new article, "Smarter Congestion Relief In Asian Cities: Win-Win Solutions To Urban Transport Problems" (http://www.unescap.org/ttdw/Publications/TPTS_pubs/bulletin82/b82_Chapter1.pdf ) published December 2013 in the United Nation’s "Transport and Communications Bulletin for Asia and the Pacific

http://www.isciencetimes.com/articles/6590/20131228/high-speed-trains-pick-up-passengers-without.htm

“Ridership on Italian trains is on the rise with travelers reporting ease, comfort and the ability to book discounted fares well in advance as the reasons they opt for trains over cars and air travel,” said Mike Fuller, President and CEO of ItaliaRail. It’s no surprise. A recent poll by ItaliaRail revealed that customers enjoy the opportunity to view the beautiful scenery as the most compelling aspect of train travel through Italy, with not having to drive being a close second. Void of the hassles of long airport security lines when flying, or parking and navigating when driving, train travel is simply easier. Plus, it offers a vacation within a vacation, as you sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular countryside enroute to your next destination. Make your resolution to travel by train through Italy in the new year. Here our are top five reasons why: 1. Train travel is more relaxing – While driving offers passengers a chance to chill out, rarely is it relaxing for the driver. Cons

Well Calgary- Edmonton last saw regular passenger rail service in 1985 when the Rail Diesel Car were used on the route. Fast forward to now and more talk about bringing rail back to that corridor. Well the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future discussed high-speed rail at their Thursday, December 12, 2013 meeting. The committee moved forward and decided to solicit written submissions from a large draft stakeholder list on high speed rail, and then the oral presentations would only come from those on the more restrictive list of panelists. Read the whole meeting minutes: http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/committees/ef/legislature_28/session_1/20131212_1000_01_ef.pdf We will keep you informed on these future developments.

There is a new group out of Nevada called Nevada Intercity Passenger Railroad Co., LLC that wants to use Bombardier's Jet Train. Here is their website. http://www.niprr.com . But the best part is they found another 1 minutes worth of Jet Train video!

On November 25th, 2013 the Standing Committee of Alberta's Economic Future passed a motion that stated "Given the rapid and continual growth in the population of Alberta, in the interest of maximizing the economic impact of that population growth, the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future undertake a study of the feasibility of establishing a high-speed rail transit system to be built for Alberta in phases.” You can listen to the audio from that meeting here: http://assemblyonline.assembly.ab.ca/Harmony/ContentEntityDetailView.aspx?ContentEntityId=1805 Listening to the audio, it is clear that some members of the committee understand the urgency for Alberta to have high speed trains. Others minimize this urgency, and talk about high speed rail as if it may be possible 30-40 years from now. On December 3rd, committee will receive a briefing from the Ministry of Transportation on the subject. The committee will then decide how consultation will take place between