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

Rail Passengers Association Remembers CSX CEO Hunter Harrison’s Love For Railroading

Release #17-19

December 18, 2017

For Immediate Release (17-19) December 18, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Washington D.C. - Following the passing of CSX CEO Hunter Harrison on Saturday, December 16, Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews said: "The Rail Passengers Association notes with sadness the passing of CSX's Hunter Harrison. Always controversial and always challenging, his love of railroading and his successes mark him as a giant in the field. We offer our sincere condolence

National Association of Railroad Passengers Unveils New Brand

Release #17-17

November 29, 2017

For Immediate Release (#17-17) November 29, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 NARP Now Known As the Rail Passengers Association Washington D.C. - The Rail Passengers Association, formerly known as the National Association of Railroad Passengers--or NARP--unveiled an innovative “logo system” and a revamped brand image at its annual conference, “RailNation Chicago,” earlier this month. The brand switch comes on the 50th anniversary of the organization’s founding, an

NARP Calls for Congressional Action to Address Epidemic of Train Delays

Release #17-16

October 12, 2017

For Immediate Release (#17-16) October 12, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 During this week’s Surface Transportation Board public listening session on CSX Transportation’s rail service meltdown, NAPR President Jim Mathews warned regulators that a legislative fix will be required to ensure that passengers are able to enjoy the full rights granted to them under current law. “It’s often said that passenger trains serve as the canary in the coalmine for railroad operat

Economic Report: Killing Amtrak Would Cost U.S. Billions, Hurt Rural Americans

Release #17-15

September 29, 2017

For Immediate Release (#17-15) October 2, 2017 Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001 Rail Passengers’ Analysis Shows Expanding Service Would Add Billions in Development, Jobs, Investment, Tourism, and Safety Washington, D.C. - The National Association of Railroad Passengers’ newly released economic report reveals that cutting train service across the U.S. would disproportionately affect low income households in rural communities across the country. At the same time, the new repor

NARP Issues Statement on June 27 Amtrak Accident

Release #17-14

June 28, 2017

For Immediate Release (#17-14) Contact: Xenophon Strategies – (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. – NARP President Jim Mathews released the following statement on the Amtrak accident on June 27 near Washington, D.C., in which two CSX employees were reportedly killed while on the tracks. “On behalf of rail passengers everywhere, we express our sincere condolences to the two people who lost their lives and their families. This is a sad and unfortunate reminder of how hard the job is to keep u