Releases
NARP Releases, Statements & Letters
An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.
NARP Urges Secretary Chao to Support High-Speed Rail in California
Release #17-04
February 15, 2017
For Immediate Release (#17-04) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. — On February 9th, 2017, NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews wrote to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support the California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) project. In the letter, Mathews highlighted the CAHSR project as “a vital element of critical transportation infrastructure investment in the U.S.,” that will generate economic benefits, create jo
NARP Supports Funding for Caltrain Electrification Project in Letter to Secretary Chao
Release #17-03
February 14, 2017
For Immediate Release (#17-03) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. — In a letter sent to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao today, NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews expressed support for federal investment in Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP). The letter asks the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to move forward with a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA), which is now pending approval. “Over 65,000 commuters depend on the Peninsul
NARP Releases Comment in Support of 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to Back STB Regarding On-Time Performance
Release #17-02
February 10, 2017
For Immediate Release (#17-02) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-495 Washington, D.C. — While the National Association of Railroad Passengers is disappointed the U.S. Department of Justice has decided not to stand up for American rail passengers, we remain confident that the Surface Transportation Board will prevail in its own case, argued this week in Kansas City, to preserve on-time standards that protect rail travelers. A 2016 appellate court decision junking performance standards writ
NARP Welcomes Elaine Chao as New Secretary of Transportation
Release #17-01
January 31, 2017
For Immediate Release (#17-01) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) welcomes Elaine Chao as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) following her confirmation by the United States Senate today. “Secretary Chao has notable experience in the federal government, as well as knowledge on transportation issues that can impact passenger rail service,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of NARP. “A
U.S. DOT Issues 30-Year Investment Blueprint for Critical Passenger Rail Corridor
Release #16-26
December 16, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-26) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 WASHINGTON D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) applauded the release of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) NEC Future report today, which outlines a 30-year investment plan to build a better and stronger Northeast Corridor (NEC). The report is the result of four years of intensive outreach to the public, local governments, and stakeholder groups such as NARP. The FRA found broad agreem
NARP Keeps Up Legal Fight for On-Time Performance
Release #16-25
December 8, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-25) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 WASHINGTON – NARP and its partners on Tuesday urged an appeals court in St. Louis to reject freight railroads’ challenges to federal on-time performance rules, the Association’s latest salvo in its continuing legal fight on behalf of the nearly 40 million Americans who ride trains every year. The brief cited decades of legal precedent, supporting statements from the congressional members who drafted the section of th
Intern for NARP this summer, and we’ll make your ultimate train trip a reality
Intern for NARP
December 5, 2016
The ultimate summer internship could be yours The National Association of Railroad Passengers is launching year two of our Summer by Rail program, and we're looking for a smart, dedicated young person to spend a month riding, biking, and hiking across a connected America! During our first Summer by Rail, we sent Elena, a George Washington University student, on a month-long train trip across 15 states and 20 cities. She explored the connections between rail and bikes, ferries, and transit al
Chao Nominated as Transportation Secretary; Rail Passengers Look to Partner on Building A Connected America
Release #16-24
November 29, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-24) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao will be nominated to serve as Secretary of Transportation, President-elect Donald Trump's transition team announced today. The National Association of Railroad Passengers will work with the incoming administration to ensure that we build a national transportation network that gives travel choices to urban and rural communities alike, and gives local officials flexib
US DOT Secretary Foxx Appoints NARP President and CEO to National Advisory Committee Created by FAST Act
Release #16-23
November 21, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-23) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony R. Foxx appointed National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) President and CEO Jim Mathews to serve on the U.S. Transportation Dept.’s newly commissioned National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure (NACTTI). Mathews will provide the committee insight on how passenger trains drive tourism and economic growth, and how rail developm
BREAKING: NARP Responds to NJ Transit Accident in Hoboken
Release #16-22
September 29, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-22) Contact: Mark Hazlin – (202) 289-4001 Washington, D.C. (Sept. 29, 2016) – Response from the National Association of Railroad Passengers to today’s New Jersey Transit accident in Hoboken, on behalf of the 40 million Americans who ride passenger trains every year: “We are saddened to see reports of fatalities in the accident this morning and thank the first responders for their quick action to help those who are injured,” said NARP President Jim Mathew