Releases
NARP Releases, Statements & Letters
An archive of press releases, Congressional statements, letters to officials, and written testimony.
NARP Sends Intern on the Ultimate Summer “Road Trip”
Release #16-11
May 9, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-11) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 #SummerByRail to Stop at 20 Cities in 38 Days, Covering 10k Miles by Rail and Bike Washington, D.C. – With school and finals behind her, college sophomore Elena Studier this summer is taking her bike on an epic 38-day multi-modal “road trip” across the country by rail, visiting more than 18 cities and 15 states. Studier, 20, spent her school year interning with NARP and sketching out her big adventure. She kicks of
Concurring With Senators, NARP Presses For New Amtrak CEO Committed To Growing A Unified National Passenger Network
Release #16-10
April 29, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-10) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Advocacy Group Urges Appointing A Visionary New Leader For America’s Railroad Washington, D.C. – National Association of Railroad Passengers President and CEO Jim Mathews has written to Amtrak’s entire Board of Directors to urge them to consider a vibrant, visionary railroad leader as Amtrak’s new President and CEO rather than an administrator or someone from outside the rail industry. NARP has not and will not
NARP Council of Representatives Elects Peter LeCody as New Chairman
Release #16-09
April 21, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-09) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Two-Year Term to Focus on A Connected America and Multimodal Transport Washington, D.C. – During the National Association of Railroad Passengers’ (NARP) Council of Representatives last week, Peter LeCody was elected as the organization’s new Chairman. LeCody will serve a two-year term and assumes the role from Robert J. Stewart, who served for the past six years. “I am humbled and honored that the Council has el
NARP Applauds U.S. Senate for Increased Funding to Support Passenger Rail
Release #16-08
April 19, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-08) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Rail Advocacy Group Calls for Full Authorization of FAST Act [Updated April 19, 3:15pm Eastern, to reflect more detailed numbers released by the Senate Appropriations Committee] Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers applauds the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development’s (THUD) decision to increase funding for passenger rail to $1.7 billio
NARP Statement on FY2017 Transportation Appropriations
NARP on FY2017 Appropriations
April 18, 2016
[Click here for a PDF version of this statement.] Statement of Jim Mathews President & CEO * * * Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies The Honorable Thad Cochran Committee on Appropriations, U.S. Senate * * * Fiscal 2016 Department of Transportation Appropriation * * * April 18, 2016 Thank you for the opportunity to submit this statement. Thank you also for your work to ensure that intercity passenger train service is part of a mod
NARP President's Letter to Amtrak Board on Search for New CEO
NARP to Amtrak Board on CEO Search
April 15, 2016
[PDF version of original letter] April 15, 2016 Mr. Anthony M. Coscia Chairman of the Board of Directors Amtrak 60 Massachusetts Ave, NE Washington, DC 20002 Dear Mr. Coscia: With the retirement of Joe Boardman as Amtrak’s President and CEO, each of you as Board members has a unique opportunity to consider who might be best suited to build on the progress of the past few years to move passenger rail forward in this country in a positive and responsible way. On behalf of Amtrak’s 31 milli
Senators Thune and Wicker Receive Honors from NARP for Continued Advocacy of a National Passenger Rail Network
Release #16-06
April 13, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-06) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Senators Receive “Golden Spike” Award at Congressional Reception Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) were honored with a prestigious award conferred by the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) last night at the organization’s annual Congressional Reception. The “Golden Spike” Award is given to individuals who promote and help advance the cause o
NARP to Honor Metra Commuter Rail Senior Manager with Burch Memorial Safety Award
Release #16-07
April 13, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-07) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 680-4951 Shamonda Jones Demonstrates Commitment to Safety for passengers with 1,300 Daily Trains Traveling through Chicago Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) honored Shamonda Jones, senior manager of Metra Commuter Rail in Chicago, with the Dr. Gary Burch Memorial Award during NARP’s April 12th congressional reception. Jones was nominated by Metra’s leadership for her dedication to fos
Statement by NARP President Mathews on Amtrak Chester Derailment
Release #16-05
April 3, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-05) Contact: Sean Jeans Gail 202-320-2723 This morning, south of Philadelphia in the city of Chester, PA a collision with what appears to be a piece of maintenence-of-way-equipment led to a derailment of the lead engine of Palmetto Train 89. Currently there are two known fatalities on the ground, but none aboard the train. Amtrak service is suspended between New York and Philadelphia. "We at NARP were saddened to learn this morning of the derailment just south of P
NARP Honors Senators Thune and Wicker for Support of Passenger Rail
Release #16-04
March 23, 2016
For Immediate Release (#16-04) Contact: Robert Brady – (202) 289-4001 Senators to Receive Golden Spike Award at Congressional Reception Who: U.S. Senator John Thune; South Dakota U.S. Senator Roger Wicker; Mississippi Jim Mathews; President National Association of Railroad Passengers What: Jim Mathews, President of NARP, a national advocacy group for rail passengers, will present Senators Thune and Wicker with the Golden Spike Award, given in recognition of individuals who have don