News & Commentary
LA Metro Subtly Educates New Passengers through Art Tours
March 12, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail Photo courtesy of the LA Times With most cities, transit passengers learn the rules of navigating the systems—both written and unwritten—the hard way. Stand on the left side of the escalator in D.C.’s Metro and you’ll hear about it from other passengers. Don’t move your bag from an adjacent seat in New York City’s subway for another passenger looking to sit down at your own risk. But in Los Angeles, a city consciously working to loosen the noose that
Amtrak's New Math for Long-Distance Route Expenses: Marketing Yes, Amenities No
March 11, 2014
Written By Matthew Melzer Against a backdrop of unprecedented ridership, constrained capacity, and operational challenges, Amtrak's national network of the 15 long-distance routes recently came under the aegis of Mark Murphy, Amtrak's new General Manager Long Distance Services. The reorganized business line is now largely overseen by a cadre of Amtrak veterans such as Murphy, who graciously presented to the joint NARP and RailPAC (Rail Passenger Association of California) “Steel Wheels” mem
Back to the Future
March 10, 2014
Written By Colin Leach Amtrak's Vermonter at Palmer, Massachusetts. Photo from Wikimedia Foundation Regular readers of our blog will know that we’ve reported to you about the rekindling of our nation’s interest in passenger rail. Frustrated by fewer flights to small and mid-sized communities and clogged highways, Americans from coast to coast understand that trains are a fast, comfortable, safe, and stress-free way to travel. Stories from places such as Michigan, Oklahoma, and Virginiash
I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it.
March 5, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail Image courtesy USA Today On Tuesday, the Obama Administration released details about a $302 billion transportation package that includes $19 billion over four years for passenger trains. The proposal also includes $72 billion for transit over four years—a 70% increase over current levels—that will fund commuter rail systems, streetcars, and light rail lines across the U.S. The President’s transportation plan is paid for through corporate tax reform—a princ
Thank You, Ross Capon
March 4, 2014
Written By Jenna Jablonski As we watch Ross Capon move on from his role as President and CEO of NARP, we find it impossible to adequately express the impact he has made over his thirty nine years at NARP. In this Railway Age article, Eugene Skoropowski accomplishes just that -- putting into words not only what Ross has done for NARP but for all rail passengers across America. "Perhaps the most telling moment revealing Ross Capon’s knowledge and respect on Capitol Hill came at a NARP Board of
Get Involved in Restoring Passenger Rail Between Oklahoma City and Tulsa!
February 28, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail Image courtesy Easternflyer.com May 14, 1967 marked the last passenger train service between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, with the last run of the Frisco's Oklahoman. Four years later saw passenger train leave Tulsa entirely, when the Santa Fe's Tulsan was discontinued on May 1, 1971. Today, we have the power to change that. Oklahoma’s Transportation Commission is deliberating on the future of the Sooner Subdivision, a 97 mile rail corridor between Oklahoma City an
The Pullman Porters and the Journey to Justice
February 27, 2014
Written By Lessie Henderson Image courtesy of WTTW Public Media Chicago In 1867, entrepreneur and industrialist George Pullman had an idea that revolutionized rail travel with the sleeper car. Pullman paid attention to and capitalized on the opportunities in the shift to industrialization and the railroads, which was taking over maritime transport. After a rough and uncomfortable train ride, he envisioned a hotel on wheels where passengers would receive 5-star service and a safe ride, while
President Obama Reveals 4-Year, $19 Billion Proposal for Trains
February 26, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail St. Paul Union Depot (Photo courtesy Minnesota Public Radio) In a visit to St. Paul’s restored Union Depot, President Barack Obama outlined an ambitious $302 billion, 4-year investment plan for America’s roads, bridges, railways, and transit. $19 billion of that will go towards rail, with another $72 billion directed to transit. The President was in St. Paul to celebrate the renovation of Union Depot, which returned intercity passenger trains back downtown a
And, finally, politicians wavered in their support...
February 25, 2014
Written By Sean Jeans Gail Sometimes it seems like America has lost the ability to do truly big things. Previous generations carved out the Erie Canal, built the transcontinental railroad, laid the interstate highway, erected the Hoover Dam—heck, they sent people to the moonbecause it was hard. Nowadays, it seems like the best the traveling public can hope for is some sort of new mobile phone app. In today’s San Francisco Examiner, Thea Selby—a member of the advisory board for the Cal
Trains return to Tulsa
February 24, 2014
Written By Colin Leach The Saratoga and North Creek is another Iowa Pacific-owned company that provides semi-regular passenger service. Trains like this one will soon serve Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Photo credit to Peter Flass via Wikimedia. Since the introduction of Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer in 1999, Oklahomans have once again seen the benefits of passenger rail service as a fast, relaxing mode of transportation. Rather than having to contend with frequent traffic jams and other congestion