Happening Now
Archive -- Trains Not Tolls
Date
Thursday, September 13, 2018 7:00 PM Thursday, September 13, 2018 9:00 PM
Location
Main Public Library Frederick 110 East Patrick Street Frederick MD 21701
We are organizing a group to be called "Trains Not Tolls" to advocate all-day two-way MARC train service on the Frederick/Brunswick Line instead of widening I-270. It will kick off with a public meeting at the main public library in Frederick, 110 East Patrick Street on September 13 at 7:00 pm.
Joe Allen (chair of Gaithersburg bicycle commission and GGW contributor) and Sally Stolz (active in a Rockville HOA next to the Beltway) are the coordinators.
Sierra Club will help us organize this. They may formally co-sponsor the meeting.
Goal is to do the following to publicize the meeting:
- Leaflet Gaithersburg neighborhoods where houses would be lost
- Publicize to Rockviille neighborhoods via civic associations (see below)
- Leaflet MARC stations (am) - FredCo stations plus Gaithersburg & Germantown
- Leaflet at Shady Grove (pm) - people waiting for commuter buses to FredCo & Washington Co
- Alerts to ACT & Sierra Club members in corridor
- Article in Greater Greater Washington
- Social media advertising
At the Sept 13 meeting we will sign up volunteers and follow up with separate organizing meetings for Montgomery and Frederick Counties (dates to be announced Sept 13).
This is moving in parallel with a Rockville city effort against widening their section of I-270, which is being led by city councilor Mark Pierzchala. Ten civic associations are involved, with support from the mayor and entire city council. They are only focused on opposing widening the Rockville section, and open to both transit and other road expansions as an alternative. However, they are very positive toward what we are going.
"On behalf of Amtrak’s onboard service staff, I want to thank the Rail Passengers Association for honoring their hard work with this award. The past couple years have indeed been difficult for Amtrak onboard service staff – coping with furloughs and job insecurity, adapting to changing protocols and services, not to mention the unfortunate events such as a tragic derailment and a fatal shooting. Nevertheless, our dedicated members at Amtrak have handled these hurdles with the care, attention and diligence for which they’re known. We thank Rail Passengers for their acknowledgement of our members’ hard work and, as always, look forward to seeing you on the rails."
Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.