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

There’s Only One Message: Stay Off the Tracks!

January 29, 2018

Anti-Rail Campaign Puts Agenda Above Public Safety For Immediate Release January 29, 2018 -RPA Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail - (202) 793-3201 -AAR Contact: Jessica Kahanek - (202) 639-2345 -APTA Contact: Virginia Miller - (202) 496-4816 In light of recent tragic incidents in Florida—and an unhelpful political campaign targeting the Brightline rail service—the Rail Passengers Association, the Association of American Railroads and the American Public Transportation Association are coming tog

Justice Department Backs Rail Passengers’ Position On On-Time Performance

Release #17-21

January 23, 2018

For Immediate Release (17-21) January 23, 2018 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 --Fight Marches On To Prioritize People Over Freight-- Washington, D.C. – Though the Justice Department recommended that the U.S. Supreme Court not hear a crucial case “at this time” that would pave the way for on-time performance standards to be enforced, it did back the long-standing Rail Passengers’ position on the matter. In a legal brief, Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco, the country�

RPA Board Member Jim Hamre and Member Zack Willhoite Reported Among Fatalities in Amtrak Cascades Derailment

Release #17-20

December 19, 2017

For Immediate Release (17-20) December 19, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Passionate Train Advocates Remembered as Devoted to Family and Friends Washington D.C. - The rail community is shocked at the loss of two Rail Passengers Association members Jim Hamre and Zack Willhoite, who reports have confirmed are among the three fatalities in the Amtrak derailment that occured yesterday near Tacoma, Wash. Both men were devoted to their family and friends, as well as passionate

Rail Passengers Urge Focus on Emergency Response Following Amtrak Derailment in Dupont, Wash.

Release #17-18

December 18, 2017

For Immediate Release (#17-18) December 18, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies – (202) 289-4001 RPA Expresses Concern for Passengers and Crew Washington, D.C. – The Rail Passengers Association is closely monitoring the derailment of Amtrak Cascades #501, which occurred in Dupont, Wash., before 8 a.m. PT on December 18. The train was reported to be carrying about 78 passengers and five crew when cars left the track near an overpass over the I-5 interstate highway. Photos and televisi