Hotline
Your weekly source of fresh takes on news affecting America's passengers. See also the NARP Blog.
April 8, 2016
Operation of the nation's rail network is and will continue to be an important safety issue that is heavily debated on Capitol Hill. The country’s rail infrastructure needs appropriate levels of funding and support to ensure that all railroads operate safely, and last week's derailment involving an Amtrak train and two deaths renewed these safety and infrastructure discussions.
Following the de...
April 1, 2016
In the second round of comments submitted by Amtrak to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding on-time performance (OTP) measurement for passenger rail, the U.S. Department of Transportation has shifted to back NARP’s position that all stations should be subjected to on-time standards.
After an initially ambiguous statement during the initial February 8 deadline, the U.S. DOT seemed sw...
March 25, 2016
In the wake of the terrorist attacks at Brussels’ airport and subway station, U.S. transit systems, including Amtrak and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City, stepped up security procedures. Amtrak noted in a blog that Amtrak police are working with law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels, while MTA is working with state police and the Port Aut...
March 18, 2016
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a request for proposals for a privately-financed high-speed rail system. This request included the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a high-speed train system, with a due date of August 31. The FAST Act does not include federal funding for a high-speed rail system, and is designed to gauge interest from the private sector...
March 11, 2016
Hotline #954
In an Op-Ed for USA Today, Christopher Elliott, a consumer advocate and editor at large for National Geographic Traveler, called on American commuters to stop inventing reasons not to use public transportation. Elliot states, “The conflict between drivers and riders exists because the solution isn't easy. But here it is, nonetheless: Our buses, trains and subways will never be firs...
