Releases
NARP Releases, Statements & Letters
An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.
NARP CEO to Speak on Post-Katrina Panel Covering Gulf Coast Rail Service
Release #15-14
June 17, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-14) Contact: Benet J. Wilson June 17, 2015 202-408-8362, ext. 3203 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the National Association of Railroad Passengers, will be among the speakers on a panel -- Y’All Aboard -- on the progress and support for restoring passenger rail service across the Gulf Coast corridor. The event, hosted by the Southern Rail Commission, will be held tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi. Between
NARP Staff Expands To Accelerate Advocacy, Raise Profile
Release #15-13
June 12, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-13) Contact: Benet J. Wilson June 12, 2015 202-408-8362, ext. 3203 WASHINGTON, D.C.—Bruce B. Becker, a long-time National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) member and board of directors member, has accepted a full-time role on the association’s professional staff, where he will lead event planning, logistics and special projects. Becker, a native of Utica, N.Y., who now resides in the Buffalo area, will resign his NARP volunteer responsibilities to accep
NARP Thanks House Members for Defeating Amendments to Cut Amtrak Funding
Release #15-12
June 4, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-12) Contact: Benet J. Wilson June 4, 2015 202-408-8362, ext. 3203 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Railroad Passengers applauded the resounding defeat of two anti-train amendments offered by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) in today’s voting on the fiscal year 2016 Transportation, Housing & Urban Development appropriations bill. The amendments sought to eliminate Amtrak’s operating and capital grants, respectively—a move that would have killed passenge
NARP Calls on House of Representatives to Provide Dedicated Rail Funding for a Safer System
Release #15-11
June 2, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-11) Contact: Benet J. Wilson 202-408-8362, ext. 3203 June 2, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The National Association of Railroad Passengers says the best way to make American train travelers safer is to provide a predictable, dedicated source of funding for passenger trains that is robust enough to meet the needs of an aging infrastructure. The recommendation was made in response to a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing held today on the derailment of
Statement on FY2016 House Transportation Appropriations
NARP on FY2016 Appropriations
May 29, 2015
Statement of Jim Mathews President & CEO * * * Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies The Honorable Mario Diaz-Balart Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives * * * Fiscal 2016 Department of Transportation Appropriation * * * March 31, 2015 Thank you for the opportunity to submit this statement. Thank you also for your work to ensure the continuation of intercity passenger train service.Funding Request 1.) NARP is asking Congre
The Latest Updates on Train #188
Details about the Train #188 Incident
May 15, 2015
The NARP team was front and center in the wake of the tragic Amtrak Train #188’s derailment in Philadelphia on May 12. President and CEO Jim Mathews appeared on NPR’s “The Diane Rehm Show” and CBS Baltimore, while VP Sean Jeans-Gail appeared on “CNN Newsroom.” Below are more links to Media Coverage of Train #188 National Journal - White House: Republicans Have Blocked Investments in Amtrak Al Jazeera America - Amtrak says it needs billions to meet ‘state of good repair’ USA T
NARP Expresses Condolences in the Wake of Derailment Tragedy
Release #15-09
May 13, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-09) Contact: Ms. Benet J. Wilson May 13, 2015 202-408-8362NARP Expresses Condolences In The Wake Of Derailment TragedyWASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Association of Railroad Passengers today issued the following statement: The thoughts and prayers of NARP and its 28,000 members nationwide are with the passengers and crew of Amtrak Regional Train 188, which derailed last night in Philadelphia. The association offers its heartfelt condolences to the families of those ki
NARP Urges Senate to Protect Passengers from House Cuts to Amtrak
Release #15-10
May 13, 2015
For Immediate Release (#15-10) Contact: Ms. Benet J. Wilson May 13, 2015 202-408-8362NARP Urges Senate to Protect Passengers From House Cuts to AmtrakWASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the wake of the House Committee on Appropriations today failing to pass two positive amendments that would have provided much-needed capital funds for transit and Amtrak, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is calling on the Senate to step in and protect America's passengers from these ill-considered, irres
National Association of Railroad Passengers Spring Council Meeting Emphasizes Need for "A Connected America"
Release #15-08
April 27, 2015
National Association of Railroad Passengers Spring Council Meeting Emphasizes Need for “A Connected America” For Immediate Release (#15-08) Contact: Ms. Benet J. Wilson April 27, 2015 443-838-7033WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Volunteers representing some 28,000 members nationwide of the National Association of Railroad Passengers visited more 200 congressional offices Tuesday during NARP’s annual Day on the Hill, pressing Congress to support and improve the multi-year rail authorization legislation
Railroad Passengers Present Golden Spike Award to Joseph Szabo
Release #15-06
April 21, 2015
For Immediate Release (15-06) Contact: Ms. Benet J. Wilson April 21, 2015 443-838-7033Railroad Passengers Present Golden Spike Award To Joseph SzaboWashington, D.C.--The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) presented its Golden Spike Award to Joseph Szabo today at its annual Capitol Hill reception. Szabo, who served as Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administrator from May 2009 to November 2014, is a fifth-generation railroader who was the first crewman and first union member