Rail Passengers Association

Putting together the "who's who" of the advocacy world. If you know of a state/regional account that we should add, let us know! Let's make our voice heard together!

Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews was in Seattle last week to celebrate the official opening of Amtrak's $ 250M Maintenance and Inspection Facility For the full video, go here: https://twp.ai/E5GqKw

A deeper dive into the story we shared this week on the FRA's new interactive dashboard

Recapping a busy week out of the Federal Railroad Administration, a ribbon-cutting in Seattle, and a final call for public comments on Amtrak’s proposed reorganization plan - plus the latest and greatest in transportation news. See you on board! https://twp.ai/E5GjuU

One week left to submit your comments on Amtrak's proposed reorganization. For more:

There has been a lot of talk over the years about the ocean's impact on the coastal tracks in Southern California as weather patterns grow more and more unpredictable. A couple of recent YouTube videos show just how much damage is being done. https://twp.ai/E5GhxE

While still hoping to get a deal approved, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava isn't quite there yet for Brightline's Coastal Link commuter rail plan. [Gift Article] https://twp.ai/E5Gh0U

The FRA has launched an interactive Metrics & Standards-based passenger rail performance dashboard! Check it out: https://twp.ai/E5Ghvu

The grant money, through the FRA's CRISI program and funded by the IIJA, will be used to completely replace five aging rail bridges between NOLA and Baton Rouge - a necessary step in hopes of bringing passenger rail service between the two cities. https://twp.ai/E5Gk2a

Aiming for a public opening in 2032, shovels are officially in the ground for LA Metro's latest light rail expansion through the heart of East San Fernando Valley

With love. https://twp.ai/E5Gjrb

Amtrak's Mardi Gras is adding a temporary stop in Ocean Springs, MS to celebrate the 48th annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival next month.

Track work under DC Union Station began last Friday and is expected to last until the 25th, affecting Amtrak and VRE service coming in and out of the station from the south.

In a city built on "make no little plans", Chicago-based Metra has released its 60-page draft Systemwide Network Plan that looks to transform one of the business commuter rail networks in the country into a 7-day regional rail system For more:

Hiawatha West just took a major step towards reality.

Could the third time be the charm for a Wilmington (MA) Town Meeting vote on a multifamily housing zoning district - this time with a lawsuit from Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell hanging over their heads?

Not all transportation measures are created equal, but we have you covered with our handy voting guide to get you up to speed and ready for Election Day. https://twp.ai/E5GOsi

The Hotline is back from its two-week hiatus, and we are recapping the week with pieces from Jim & Sean - plus all the news that's fit to print. See you onboard! https://twp.ai/E5GP2p

Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews was in Chicago last week to speak at APTA’s TRANSform conference on passenger rail's institutional issues and why it seems like such a "nearly impossible undertaking" to get it built in this country.

Residents of Windsor Locks, CT (home of Bradley International Airport) will be celebrating the opening of the brand-new $121.2M multimodal station this weekend.

The $93M, 1,400-foot catchment wall is a major step to further protect the Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor in Southern California.

If there is one thing that doesn't seem to be lacking in the US, it's train bridges that need to be replaced. Amtrak is checking two more off that list: Maryland's Bush River and Gunpowder River Bridges. https://twp.ai/E5GV3C

SEPTA's "predictable and reliable" schedule adjustments, as well as reduced parking lot pricing for the rest of the year, go into effect this coming Sunday (Oct 18th)

With the new Airo trains starting to roll out, all eyes will be on Amtrak's long-distance fleet replacement process. They don't have far to look for some inspiration.

An unfortunate side effect of major public transportation projects? The availability of qualified workers to run the trains due to reassignment. [Gift article] https://twp.ai/E5GV0j

Former Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman authors this op-ed for Trains Magazine on the planned Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger and how the proposal before the STB does not meet the rules the Board set forth in 2001.

Questions from the Mile High City https://twp.ai/E5GUyf

Part of the overall east-west passenger rail expansion between Boston and western MA, the Berkshire Flyer is close to becoming a permanent seasonal fixture.

The 5-week grind to complete the final phase of construction on the new Portal North Bridge officially kicked off on Sunday.

Could the long, drawn-out shunt/signal saga finally be reaching its end?

Miss us? The DC HQ is back open after the staff took a much-needed break following RailNation: Toledo, to focus on the upcoming election and end-of-year campaigns.

ICYMI: Local news coverage of our conference in Toledo and the importance of passenger rail expansion in Ohio.

Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) joins Rail Passengers President and CEO Jim Mathews for RailNation: Toledo’s closing “fireside chat”. #RNTOL

Good morning from RailNation! #RNTOL

Just a few shots from today’s “Science Fair” at MLK Plaza in Toledo. #RNTOL

The Orange County (FL) commissioners' ultimate plan is to have 1 in 3 residents living within a 15-min walk from a bus, light rail, or train.

The Rail Passengers team is starting to arrive in Toledo as we prepare to welcome over 200 advocates, elected officials, and industry leaders to RailNation this weekend.

The machine's 1-year, 5,100-foot journey is set to begin soon

Local coverage of our weekend event in Toledo

To call the Borealis a success would be an absolute understatement.

ICYMI: Year-to-date ridership and revenue are up, but funding issues and debt have pulled Brightline down into bankruptcy court.