The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 24

B-4 1988 San Francisco Examiner F. Sunday Examiner Chronicle 1 jui AMTRAK FromB-1 the cost of operation. Employee unions, aware of the political threat, have made generous concessions to keep the system afloat. And executives have become "much more creative," according to R. Clifford Black, Amtrak's public affairs manager.

For instance, Amtrak recently built 75 cars exclusively to carry the U.S. mail a growth industry that brings Amtrak $25 million a year. And in 1985, Amtrak expanded its Ohio train-building plant to assem cars have made a comeback this decade (albeit with heavy government subsidy) so have intercity passenger trains. Ridership on the Zephyr, which runs between Oakland and Chicago, has jumped 26 percent since 1982. In that time there has been a 75 percent increase on Amtrak's San Joaquin Valley line from Oakland to Bakersf ield.

I In California, 688,000 more people rode Amtrak in 1987 than in 1982, a jump of 27 percent. Nationwide, there were 1.4 million more iders, a 7 percent increase. The Coast Starlight, which takes the oceanside route between Oak- i'm 4 vTj K. ExaminerChris Hard Passengers await the arrival of their train in Oakland: Ridership on the Zephyr has jumped 26 percent since 1982 People are scared to fly and sick of the freeway. This is the only civilized way to travel anymore for the federal government doesn't give a damn," added Tom.

Amtrak must win over people ble Washington, D.C., subway cars at profit. But budget cuts, coupled with bigger crowds, have begun to hurt. An Amtrak official admitted that the 1916-vintage Oakland station is "raunchy." It's the epitome of faded glory, with classical architecture, sky-high ceilings and chandeliers. Unfortunately, a wall clock with a 4-foot-long minute hand has been frozen at 4:01 for 30 years, murals are smeared with grime, and burglars are known to prowl the parking lot. Amtrak spokesman Art Lloyd said city, state and port officials are considering moving the Amtrak station to spiffy Jack London Square but not soon.

Fares generally are slightly above Greyhound bus fares. But for Hamberlin, a self -described "rambler," the train is superior. "It's a lot more comfortable," said Hamberlin, wearing a leather bolo tie and biting a hamburger. "You have plenty of bathrooms, plenty of running water, and you can wander around the lounge. They have a VCR showing movies every night" His complaint: Amtrak is a mere shadow of its predecessors, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Kansas City-Southern and others.

"Nashville doesn't even have a train running through it, and that's the home of Boxcar Willie and country music!" Hamberlin said. Elsewhere on the Zephyr, passengers were reading spy thrillers, debating politics over ginger ale in the lounge and gazing at the geo I I -Jeff Hamberlin You don't havo to setilo for hslr loss or artificial covsrups. At the Bosley fVfedlcal Group your hair can be restored naturally by transolantlno hair from the lower back of your head hair that Is genetically programmed to live a lifetime! iTiiriiMii i I If hair loss is holding you back personally or professionally, call BMG. We perform more hair restoration procedures than any other medical group in the world. And the reason is our exceptionally qualified staff of Established: 1971 Miles of track: 2,400 Trains: 225 Budget: $1.7 billion Federal subsidy: $581 million California ridership 1982 1987 Oakland-Bakersfield 181,000 316.000 LA-San Diego 1,200,000 1,500,000 Oakland-LA.

(coast) 457,000 567,000 Oakland-Chicago 538,000 681,000 National ridership 19 million 20.4 million Coach fares: Oakland-LA $73.00 Oakland-Seattle $124.00 Oakland-Bakersfield $56.50 15 days unlimited travel. $345.00 tvreaicai uociors. iney are nana cnosen ror tneir technical ability and artistic skill the most important factors in the naturalness and fullness of your new head of hair. Join the thousands of men like Jeff Greenberq who i iidvn yiuwu a new iieau ui weir own living nair. in if" 1 like the Gomezes if it is to survive a George Bush presidency.

Vice President Bush, the likely Republican candidate to succeed Reagan, has said little about rail subsidies, but Amtrak officials consider him a threat. Michael Dukakis, the likely Democratic candidate, has trumpeted praise of Amtrak, which he considers the foundation of a high-tech, high-speed rail network like those in Japan and France. Debate is already raging over how federal funds for freeway construction should be reallocated when the interstate highway program ends in a few years. Urban mass transit and Amtrak are possible beneficiaries. "The air and highway systems are already saturated, and safety margins are declining," said Williams.

"In 10 years, we'll be approaching paralysis, and you can't pave over the whole country." Amtrak supporters said if Amtrak were killed, all hope for reviving passenger trains later would be lost. Breakthroughs in high-speed most cases, aner jusi o-o snort sessions. Pfi PHONE FOR: Cost Information FREE Consultation FREE Color Brochure "Thank you, Boslev Dr. Bosley" Medical JenBrMnberi.D.PJ San Diego. I jand and Los Angeles, requires reservations.

So does the Zephyr. "Amtrak's biggest problem is it doesn't have enough cars to meet demand," said Barry Williams, director of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, a Washington lobbying group. "The increase has been amazing." I In 1971, the federal government had completed most of the interstate highway system, causing ridership on private passenger railroads to dry up. Amtrak was ormed that year to keep critical rail lines open. But half the nation's passenger service passed overnight into oblivion.

When Reagan took office in 51981, Amtrak received an annual federal subsidy of $896 million a ear. That covered half the cost of running the railroad; fares covered the other half. Four times since then, Reagan has tried to kill all federal support, isaying Amtrak should sink or swim fcs private companies do. Congress J-epeatedly overruled the president but has cut Amtrak's annual subsidy to $581 million. Adversity, however, appears to he good for Amtrak.

The trains are irunning an average three-quarters full. Fares now cover 67 percent of Group L. Lee Bosley, M.O., Founder and Director 1 Examiner chart rail technology would be meaningless without Amtrak's rights of way. Williams said most of the rights of way abandoned in 1971 have been built over. "Most of the stations have been demolished or turned into boutiques," he CALL(S80 352-2244 BbkIi, Stn Frtnclwo, md hi contutt-? V'J'i i DM wltk Hit Hlif TrampiaMttlM cmw oi Text Dtiiw i 1967 Bosley MeOteH Group A MeJ JLii 1 metric perfection of Central Valley cropland.

Mary Dyer has taken 15 tour groups across the country in four years. "It's gotten more crowded," she said. "But that's fine. It's easy to meet people, and everyone's relaxed." Tom and Carol Gomez of Lake-wood, said they were veterans of cruise ships and jumbo jets but had never taken the train. They were disappointed.

"The scenery in the Sierra was breathtaking, but the service leaves a lot to be desired," said Carol. "They lost our breakfast order so we had to wait an hour to get served yesterday." "Seems like anybody who works i ii vwvwwv CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE In the Chronicle The Examiner 777-7777 ADVKHTISEMKNT ADVRRTISEMKNT ADVERTISEMENT I Emergency Closing Of Rug Store close our Hayward Clearance Cen ter. It is anemergency sale on all i It is big news in the rug industry. Rugs, Rugs, Rugs, the chain that has "become an institution in the rug industry is closing their Hayward Center. All four stores are participatingln our store closing sale.

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