Happening Now
Archive -- Montana Passenger Rail Virtual Summit
Date
Thursday, September 17, 2020 10:00 AM Thursday, September 17, 2020 1:00 PM
Location
Virtual Conference
On Thursday, September 17, virtually join elected officials, business leaders, students, passenger rail experts, environmental organizations and transportation enthusiasts for the Montana Passenger Rail Summit.
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Learn about the creation of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority in Montana;
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Hear from experts on the economic benefits of expanded passenger rail service, opportunities for public-private partnerships, and what a passenger rail system for the 21st century might look like; and
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Understand ways that that members of the public, elected officials, and private sector stakeholders can help restore passenger rail to southern Montana!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
When: Thursday, September 17
Where: Virtual Conference
Who: Elected officials, business leaders, public health officials, environmental organizations and activists, students, and transportation enthusiasts
Why: To create a transformational project for Montana — establishing safe, reliable, affordable intercity, long-distance passenger rail service through southern Montana
Agenda: Under construction
Organizers are still finalizing the agenda, but confirmed speakers include:
- Elaine Clegg, city council president, Boise, Idaho
- Robert Eaton, director, State Supported Service and Government Affairs, Amtrak
- Jordan Hess, councilman, City of Missoula
- Jim Mathews, president and CEO, Rail Passengers Association
- Roger Millar, secretary of transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation
- Andrea Olsen, representative, Montana House
- Beth Osborne, director, Transportation for America
- John-Robert Smith, chairman, Transportation for America
- John Spain, vice chairman, Southern Rail Commission
- Dave Strohmaier, commissioner, Missoula County
"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."
Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.