Releases
NARP Releases, Statements & Letters
An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.
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
February 12, 2018
Rail Passengers Urges American Public To Oppose Proposed Budget Cuts February 12, 2018 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. - The White House today released a disappointing package of infrastructure initiatives and transportation budget cuts, including once again advancing plans to gut Amtrak’s long-distance services by cutting $757 million from the annual Amtrak grant. The Administration contends that the money needed to operate the National Network after the cut
RPA Statement: Draft Environmental Impact Statement for TC
RPA Statement: FRA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Dallas - Houston High-Speed Rail
February 7, 2018
The Honorable D. Reyes, III Acting Deputy Administrator Federal Railroad Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Draft Environmental Impact Statement the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project Dear Deputy Administrator Reyes, The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) is writing you on behalf of our thousands of Texas members, and all 28,000 members nationwide, to voice support for Texas Central's (TC) Houston – Dallas high-speed rail corridor project. As
RPA Hires Joseph Aiello as Northeast Field Coordinator
Release #17-23
February 1, 2018
For Immediate Release (17-23) February 1, 2018 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington D.C. – The Rail Passengers Association (RPA) is pleased to announce the recent hire of Joseph Aiello as the Northeast Field Coordinator, helping expand the organization's organizational capacity in the northeast U.S. The RPA's Northeast Region includes Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Most recently, Aiello has been working as the Outr