Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
@iowarail.bsky.social
Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers (IARP) was formed in 1981 as a voice for Iowa rail passengers
https://www.iowarail.org/
https://www.iowarail.org/
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
Gateway funding, Amtrak Board meeting recap, an EON Trans report on the IIJA, and so much more. Happy #HotlineFriday!
Read up and we'll see you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
Read up and we'll see you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
January 30, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Gateway funding, Amtrak Board meeting recap, an EON Trans report on the IIJA, and so much more. Happy #HotlineFriday!
Read up and we'll see you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
Read up and we'll see you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
Reminder: Amtrak is holding a public Board of Directors meeting this week, and you must register by tomorrow (1/27) to take part.
Amtrak to Hold Public Board of Directors Meeting - Amtrak Media
WASHINGTON – The Amtrak Board of Directors will convene a meeting on January 28, 2026, which will be accessible to the public virtually. Amtrak executives
media.amtrak.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Reminder: Amtrak is holding a public Board of Directors meeting this week, and you must register by tomorrow (1/27) to take part.
A gentle reminder that Amtrak has now been without a CEO for more than 10 months.
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 PM
A gentle reminder that Amtrak has now been without a CEO for more than 10 months.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
At one time, passenger trains operated twice daily between Saint Paul and Kansas City. We are advocating for a new train to connect the Twin Cities Metro area with Minnesota cities along the 35W corridor.
January 22, 2026 at 2:43 PM
At one time, passenger trains operated twice daily between Saint Paul and Kansas City. We are advocating for a new train to connect the Twin Cities Metro area with Minnesota cities along the 35W corridor.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
An update to a story we covered last week. As expected, Brightline missed their payment deadline last Thursday (the second time they have done so, the first being last July) and could end up defaulting if they have to defer a third time.
Brightline defers another bond interest payment - Trains
MIAMI — Brightline last week deferred interest payments on private activity bonds after initially indicating it would draw from financial reserves to make the payments.
The company’s just-issued December revenue and ridership report says it elected to defer interest payments on debt due Jan. 15 on 11 bonds issued by the Florida Development Finance Corp., saying this is “permitted under the
www.trains.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:42 PM
An update to a story we covered last week. As expected, Brightline missed their payment deadline last Thursday (the second time they have done so, the first being last July) and could end up defaulting if they have to defer a third time.
IARP has declared its support for HF494 and SF38, two bills that would mandate 2-man train crews in Iowa.
As mentioned before, IARP is also declared in support of HF533, the bill to rejoin the MIPRC.
As mentioned before, IARP is also declared in support of HF533, the bill to rejoin the MIPRC.
January 21, 2026 at 4:32 PM
IARP has declared its support for HF494 and SF38, two bills that would mandate 2-man train crews in Iowa.
As mentioned before, IARP is also declared in support of HF533, the bill to rejoin the MIPRC.
As mentioned before, IARP is also declared in support of HF533, the bill to rejoin the MIPRC.
With the Iowa Legislature now back in session, the Senate will have another chance to take action on HF 533, the bill to put Iowa back into the MIPRC.
Last year the bill passed the House. This year it needs to pass committee and whole body votes in the Senate.
Last year the bill passed the House. This year it needs to pass committee and whole body votes in the Senate.
January 12, 2026 at 11:26 PM
With the Iowa Legislature now back in session, the Senate will have another chance to take action on HF 533, the bill to put Iowa back into the MIPRC.
Last year the bill passed the House. This year it needs to pass committee and whole body votes in the Senate.
Last year the bill passed the House. This year it needs to pass committee and whole body votes in the Senate.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
ICYMI: After House Republicans have proposed zeroing out the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and a number of colleagues have jumped to its defense.
[2026-01-09] Murphy, 13 Senators Call On Appropriations Leadership To...
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, led 13 of his Democratic Senate colleagues in...
www.murphy.senate.gov
January 12, 2026 at 8:33 PM
ICYMI: After House Republicans have proposed zeroing out the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and a number of colleagues have jumped to its defense.
A very good November for Amtrak, with a 9% year-over-year increase in ridership. Iowa's routes both saw gains, as seat capacity also saw a slight rebound nationally.
January 6, 2026 at 2:54 AM
A very good November for Amtrak, with a 9% year-over-year increase in ridership. Iowa's routes both saw gains, as seat capacity also saw a slight rebound nationally.
According to a recent FRA webinar, the agency is targeting January as the time to send out a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Corridor ID Program.
This would be the first time since 2023 that new corridors could enter the program.
This would be the first time since 2023 that new corridors could enter the program.
December 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
According to a recent FRA webinar, the agency is targeting January as the time to send out a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Corridor ID Program.
This would be the first time since 2023 that new corridors could enter the program.
This would be the first time since 2023 that new corridors could enter the program.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, which creates a new regional authority of the same name and funds a number of investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state, officially goes into effect in June 2026.
Pritzker signs CTA/Metra/Pace overhaul that ‘makes transit safer and more reliable’
Fares will be collected under a unified system managed by a new, stronger Northern Illinois Transportation Authority.
chicago.suntimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, which creates a new regional authority of the same name and funds a number of investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state, officially goes into effect in June 2026.
A good write up from @ridewithdata.org on transit discussions around DART (Dallas) and Plano.
A Review of Week Two of the Collin County Connects Committee
A Review of Week Two of the Collin County Connects Committee
The City of Plano ignores its residents yet again
l.ridewithdata.org
December 13, 2025 at 1:50 AM
A good write up from @ridewithdata.org on transit discussions around DART (Dallas) and Plano.
The Milwaukee-Kenosha rail project is shifting away from a commuter rail proposal in favor of a 2nd Milwaukee-Chicago intercity corridor. The corridor would return rail service to Racine, while increasing CHI-MKE capacity.
New passenger rail in southeastern Wisconsin could open job, business markets
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
www.cbsnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:24 AM
The Milwaukee-Kenosha rail project is shifting away from a commuter rail proposal in favor of a 2nd Milwaukee-Chicago intercity corridor. The corridor would return rail service to Racine, while increasing CHI-MKE capacity.
Something to think about the next time a freight train derails.
Railroads will be allowed to reduce inspections and rely more on technology to spot track problems
The nation’s freight railroads are going to be able to try relying more on technology and inspect their tracks less often after the federal government approved their waiver request on Friday.
apnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Something to think about the next time a freight train derails.
Another light rail extension in Seattle opens today.
The Federal Way Link Light Rail extension opens Dec. 6. Here's what you need to know
The extension will bring Washington's largest transit network that much closer to connecting Seattle and Tacoma.
www.king5.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Another light rail extension in Seattle opens today.
A little late to this news, but Ohio's publicly-funded GoBus network is expanding its network with 4 new routes. Once complete, GoBus will reach 47 Ohio counties with affordable intercity bus service.
ODOT and HAPCAP Announce Expansion of GoBus Service
The upcoming expansion will double the service footprint, extending routes to Western and Northern Ohio.
www.transportation.ohio.gov
December 5, 2025 at 1:35 PM
A little late to this news, but Ohio's publicly-funded GoBus network is expanding its network with 4 new routes. Once complete, GoBus will reach 47 Ohio counties with affordable intercity bus service.
Iowa will be seeing high Amtrak ridership this holiday weekend.
who13.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Iowa will be seeing high Amtrak ridership this holiday weekend.
Not a terrible month for on-time performance, with Iowa's routes seeing improvement and Amtrak meeting it's system-wide goal of 80% on-time. As always, still work to do on the long-distance routes.
November 26, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Not a terrible month for on-time performance, with Iowa's routes seeing improvement and Amtrak meeting it's system-wide goal of 80% on-time. As always, still work to do on the long-distance routes.
Iowa transit agencies have won $77 million in awards through a pair of FTA grant programs.
www.transit.dot.gov
November 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Iowa transit agencies have won $77 million in awards through a pair of FTA grant programs.
Iowa City Transit is being featured in the New York Times for its fare-free bus program.
Iowa City Made Its Buses Free. Traffic Cleared, and So Did the Air.
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Iowa City Transit is being featured in the New York Times for its fare-free bus program.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
With $425M in funding secured, part of Illinois' transformative Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, community leaders in the Quad Cities continue to push for support of a Chicago to Moline train that has been years in the making.
quadcitiesbusiness.c...
quadcitiesbusiness.c...
November 15, 2025 at 5:31 PM
With $425M in funding secured, part of Illinois' transformative Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, community leaders in the Quad Cities continue to push for support of a Chicago to Moline train that has been years in the making.
quadcitiesbusiness.c...
quadcitiesbusiness.c...
Iowa transit ridership for September. We've got gains across the board, with Sioux City surprisingly having the highest growth. Statewide ridership is now at 85% of pre-Covid levels (currently only 80% nationally).
November 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Iowa transit ridership for September. We've got gains across the board, with Sioux City surprisingly having the highest growth. Statewide ridership is now at 85% of pre-Covid levels (currently only 80% nationally).
Monthly and annual ridership numbers for Amtrak. Capping off a strong fiscal year with yet another ridership gain.
Thank you to everyone who has ridden Amtrak over the past year. Here's to another good year in front of us.
Thank you to everyone who has ridden Amtrak over the past year. Here's to another good year in front of us.
November 8, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Monthly and annual ridership numbers for Amtrak. Capping off a strong fiscal year with yet another ridership gain.
Thank you to everyone who has ridden Amtrak over the past year. Here's to another good year in front of us.
Thank you to everyone who has ridden Amtrak over the past year. Here's to another good year in front of us.
Reposted by Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has been handed a letter written by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) - and backed up by 16 of their colleagues - to conduct a "rigorous and comprehensive" review of the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
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November 5, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has been handed a letter written by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) - and backed up by 16 of their colleagues - to conduct a "rigorous and comprehensive" review of the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.
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