Releases

NARP Releases, Statements & Letters

An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.

Strangers Meet Through Baseball and Trains

Baseball and Passenger Rail Expanded the U.S. in the 20th Century

May 15, 2018

For Immediate Release (18-31) Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - What do the Savannah Bananas small-town baseball team and Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” train have in common? They both connect Americans to each other. “Summer by Rail” (www.summerbyrail.com) correspondent Jacob Wallace is a Texas Rangers fan who understands the communities that form around ballparks. As a student focused on transportation, Jacob knows that transit can do the same. This summe

Statement on the Senate Approval of Fuchs, Schultz for STB

Senator Wicker’s Concern Over Freight Train Interference Well Founded

April 26, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-30) Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 The Rail Passengers Association applauds the Senate Commerce Committee approval of Patrick J. Fuchs and Michelle Schultz for the Surface Transportation Board, and calls upon the Senate to swiftly vote to confirm. “Our association has had the pleasure of working with Patrick closely during his time as a senior staff member of the Senate Commerce Committee, and we cannot speak highly enough of his commitment to im

Rail Passengers Honor Jim Hamre's Memory with Golden Spike

Hamre Devoted His Life to Passenger Rail and Building Lasting Relationships

April 20, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-29) Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) recognized Jim Hamre's life and memory by posthumously awarding him the Association's Golden Spike Award at the Association’s Congressional Reception. Hamre was a strong advocate for passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest as a member of RPA and vice president of All Aboard Washington. "Jim Hamre epitomized what it means to be a rail advocate and a frie

Rail Passengers STB Filing March 21, 2018

Re: STB Finance Docket No. 35743: Application of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Under 49 USC § 24308(A)—Canadian National Railway Company

March 30, 2018

VIA E- FILING Ms. Cynthia T. Brown, Chief, Section of Administration Office of Proceedings Surface Transportation Board 395 E. Street SW Washington, DC 20423 March 21, 2018 Re: STB Finance Docket No. 35743: Application of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Under 49 USC § 24308(A)—Canadian National Railway Company Dear Ms. Brown: The Rail Passengers Association, also known as the National Association of Railroad Passengers, is the nation’s oldest and largest organization spe

Rail Passengers Association Remembers Louise Slaughter

New York Democrat Who Supported Passenger Rail Passes At 88

March 16, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-28) March 16, 2018 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - The Rail Passengers Association was saddened to learn that New York Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, a long-time supporter of U.S. passenger rail, died this morning from complications of an injury suffered last week. Rep. Slaughter and the Association have a long history together in advocating for Amtrak and other passenger rail services in the U.S. over the course of her 30 years in o

RPA Names Colucci To Resource Development Role

#17-27

February 26, 2018

Washington, D.C. – The Rail Passengers Association today named Mark A. Colucci as Vice President for Resource Development, joining the DC-based RPA professional staff after more than a decade of business development and fundraising success for the American Hospital Association in Chicago. “Mark is a seasoned, experienced professional with a strong track record and a commitment to our mission here at the Association,” said RPA President Jim Mathews. “One of my most important goals since

RPA Says Shutting Down Amtrak Routes Will Not Make America Safer

-- Applauds Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson For Strong Safety Stance on PTC --

February 15, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-27) Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - In testimony before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with jurisdiction over rail, Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson said unequivocally that Amtrak will suspend services on routes that run in areas that don't apply for extensions on Positive Train Control through 2020. He also declared that he is going to bring the aviation safety culture to railroading, and faulted Amtrak for "running

RPA Welcomes Ron Batory As New FRA Administrator

#17-26

February 14, 2018

Washington, D.C. - The Rail Passengers Association welcomed the confirmation Tuesday evening of Ronald Batory as the new administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Batory was nominated by President Trump in July 2017, but his confirmation has been held up for months leaving the primary agency charged with rail safety without a permanent leader. In the vote yesterday he received bipartisan support from the Senate. He will replace former FRA administrator Heath Hall. “Ron Bat

Trains to Harpers Ferry, Duffields and Martinsburg Could End

RPA Urges MD and WV Lawmakers To Fund MARC Service

February 12, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-24) February 12, 2018 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - Maryland commuter-rail service to Harpers Ferry, Duffields and Martinsburg could stop as soon as this July, thanks to a funding dispute between Maryland and West Virginia. Should service end, approximately 500 additional cars per day could swarm I-270 and towns in Frederick County, as the interstate is the only alternative to the MARC service. The Rail Passengers Association is org

White House Infrastructure Plan Guts Long-Distance Amtrak

#17-25