Your weekly source of fresh takes on news affecting America's passengers. See also the NARP Blog.
August 7, 2015
All Aboard Florida secured approval to sell $1.75 billion in municipal bonds from the Florida Development Finance Corporation (FDFC) on August 5. The proceeds of the bond issuance will help finance creation of a $2.5 billion privately-run rail corridor that will connect communities between Miami and Orlando with frequent, fast train service. All Aboard president Michael Reininger was on hand t...
July 31, 2015
It was a busy July for transportation in Washington, D.C., and your NARP leadership and staff have been working hard to make sure the voices of America’s passengers are being heard on the Hill. The U.S. Senate was just able to beat a July 31st deadline to pass a long-term transportation bill on July 30 by a vote of 65 to 34. The Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE...
July 24, 2015
The debate between House and Senate leaders on the right transportation bill continues and, with the July 31 deadline for the expiration of the highway and mass transit trust fund looming, legislators are starting to feel the pressure. Senate Republican leadership have been pushing a comprehensive six-year transportation bill that provides three-years of funding. The bill includes the Railroa...
July 17, 2015
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx speaking at the COMTO conference. The House of Representatives has passed a five-month transportation funding extension that would authorize federal spending on highway and rail transit projects through Dec. 18 and inject about $8.1 billion in general fund subsidies into the rapidly dwindling Highway Trust Fund, reports Reuters. The five-...
July 10, 2015
The Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act—as approved by the Senate Commerce Committee—was included as a title in sections of the highway bill introduced on Thursday. A Commerce Committee staffer told NARP they were pleased that rail was included in the bill, calling that inclusion "a significant and symbolic step." NARP is asking members to send letters of support to Committee Ch...