Releases
NARP Releases, Statements & Letters
An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.
Amtrak Unveils Avelia Liberty Trainsets—“Future of Train Travel”
Release #16-21
August 26, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-21) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 NARP Applauds Federal Loan to Bolster U.S. Transportation Infrastructure Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers was on hand at today’s event in Wilmington, Delaware, where Vice President Joe Biden announced $2.45 billion in federally secured loans to support Amtrak’s purchase of new high-speed trainsets for the Northeast Corridor, station upgrades, and track improvements. “This loan is
NARP Names Betsy Nelson as Director of Resource Development
Release #16-20
August 24, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-20) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Nelson to Open Communications Between NARP and Partners for ‘A Connected America’ Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) announced the hiring of Betsy Nelson as its new Director of Resource Development. Nelson has a master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Transportation Policy, and will help NARP communicate to partners, transit agencies, elected officials, and other organizat
New Amtrak CEO Brings Experience, Passion to America's Railroad
Release #16-19
August 19, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-19) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 NEW AMTRAK CEO BRINGS EXPERIENCE, PASSION TO AMERICA’S RAILROAD The National Association of Railroad Passengers is pleased to welcome Charles “Wick” Moorman as Amtrak’s next President and CEO. Amtrak announced today that Mr. Moorman will take over from current President Joseph Boardman on September 1. “Wick’s 40 years of railroad experience at Norfolk Southern, along with his obvious commitment to a strong an
NARP Names Carolyn Stagger Cokley New Customer Advisory Committee Director
Release #16-18
August 5, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-18) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Cokley to Establish and Build Connections between Rail Agencies across America Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) named Carolyn Stagger Cokley as the new Customer Advisory Committee Director for the organization. In the role, she will oversee the operations of the Amtrak Customer Advisory Committee (ACAC), and on behalf of NARP, create and maintain advisory committees fo
STB Affirms Rights of Rail Passengers
Release #16-17
July 28, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-17) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) applauds the two decisions issued today by the Surface Transportation Board (STB), which affirm the statutory preference for passenger trains and recognize the importance of service quality at intermediate stations. The STB issued two decisions, withdrawing a proposed rule that would redefine Amtrak’s statutory right to preferential dispatch (
NARP Names Bruce Becker as Vice President of Operations
Release #16-16
July 27, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-16) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Becker to Bring Experience and Passion to Role to Support ‘A Connected America’ Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), announced today that Bruce Becker has been hired as the Vice President of Operations for the organization. Becker was appointed to the full-time position by NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews after working for NARP on a consulting basis. In the new role, Becker
Summer Intern Completes 10,000-Mile, 38-Day Journey By Rail Across The U.S.
Release #16-15
June 27, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-15) June 27, 2016 Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 National Association of Railroad Passengers Invites Americans to Share Their #SummerByRail Stories Washington, D.C. – For most students, their internship stops at taking notes and making coffee. Elena Studier was able to turn her internship with the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) into a once-in-a-lifetime journey. For 38 days, Elena traveled 10,000 miles on the nation’s rail networ
New York’s Aging Hudson Tunnels Represent Catastrophic “Single Point-of-Failure” To US Economy
Release #16-14
June 1, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-14) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 NARP Head Jim Matthews Warns of Potential “Transportation Meltdown” Without Urgent Action Washington, D.C. – In support of the Hudson Tunnel Project and fast-tracking approvals for the venture, Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), issued a letter that calls on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and NJ Transit to prevent a “transportation meltdown” in t
NARP Issues Statement to Surface Transportation Board on Texas Central Initiative
Release #16-13
May 25, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-13) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Private Capital Has Important Role in Building Transportation Infrastructure Washington, D.C. – On May 24, 2016, Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), released a letter to members of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) in support of the Texas Central high-speed rail project. As an advocacy group working on behalf of more than 29,000 members, and more than 40 m
Statement from NARP’s Jim Mathews on NTSB’s Findings for Amtrak Train 188
Release #16-12
May 18, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-12) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Washington, D.C. – The National Transportation Safety Board's (NTSB) investigative findings on May 17, confirmed what we already suspected: that the Amtrak Train 188 derailment would have been avoided had Positive Train Control (PTC) technology been in place. That means if the U.S. had a rational infrastructure investment policy – like every expert and transportation official recommends – the eight passengers killed