Rail Passengers Association
@railpassengers.org
We are the oldest & largest national advocacy non-profit serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S.
https://railpassengers.org/biolink
https://railpassengers.org/biolink
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Putting together the "who's who" of the advocacy world. If you know of a state/regional account that we should add, let us know! Let's make our voice heard together!
With enough funding on hand to keep them going through next summer, officials at Florida's Tri-Rail are hopeful that conversations in Tallahassee will lead to long term DOT funding.
www.wptv.com/wptv-in...
www.wptv.com/wptv-in...
February 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
With enough funding on hand to keep them going through next summer, officials at Florida's Tri-Rail are hopeful that conversations in Tallahassee will lead to long term DOT funding.
www.wptv.com/wptv-in...
www.wptv.com/wptv-in...
Happy Hotline the 13th! It's been a busy week here at HQ - Amtrak unveils the new Airo fleet in DC, the Trump Administration ordered to unfreeze Gateway funding, a review of a recent California Zephyr doc, and all the rest from around the country.
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
February 13, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Happy Hotline the 13th! It's been a busy week here at HQ - Amtrak unveils the new Airo fleet in DC, the Trump Administration ordered to unfreeze Gateway funding, a review of a recent California Zephyr doc, and all the rest from around the country.
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
Starting Sunday, passengers who normally take the Midtown Direct service between NJ and NYC will be seeing a lot of Frank Sinatra's hometown of Hoboken for the next month - but will have a number of options from there to continue their trips.
NJ Transit to cut service by 50% for four weeks
NJ Transit will cut service by 50 percent through March 15 as crews transfer signals, switches, and overhead wiring to the new $1.5 billion Portal North Bridge.
www.6sqft.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Starting Sunday, passengers who normally take the Midtown Direct service between NJ and NYC will be seeing a lot of Frank Sinatra's hometown of Hoboken for the next month - but will have a number of options from there to continue their trips.
While overall successful, Wednesday's victory parade did point out a number of issues that will need to be addressed before Seattle hosts six matches during this summer's World Cup.
Sound Transit passed ‘stress test’ ahead of World Cup | FOX 13 Seattle
Sound Transit says the region’s light rail system passed a major stress test during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade, and will inform their planning for the World Cup this summer.
www.fox13seattle.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:35 PM
While overall successful, Wednesday's victory parade did point out a number of issues that will need to be addressed before Seattle hosts six matches during this summer's World Cup.
Honoring their roots of when the MBTA purchased the equipment & infrastructure of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in the early 70s - the now modern locomotive will operate out of South Station in Boston.
MBTA enters New Haven heritage locomotive into passenger service
Progressive Railroading Daily News
www.progressiverailroading.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Honoring their roots of when the MBTA purchased the equipment & infrastructure of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in the early 70s - the now modern locomotive will operate out of South Station in Boston.
Phase 1 of the Colorado Mountain Rail service is set to launch this November. This first step secures daily service between Denver and Granby, with expansion to Steamboat Springs and Craig to follow.
Mountain Rail charges toward November launch of Phase 1 passenger rail service
Members of the Mountain Rail Coalition gathered virtually on Jan. 22 to celebrate key milestones, strategize on sustaining political support and advance station planning as the Colorado Department of Transportation prepares to launch Phase 1...
www.craigdailypress.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Phase 1 of the Colorado Mountain Rail service is set to launch this November. This first step secures daily service between Denver and Granby, with expansion to Steamboat Springs and Craig to follow.
While Amtrak is investing and expanding passenger comforts in the Buckeye State, Greyhound is leaving their historic downtown Cleveland station that they have operated since 1948.
neo-trans.blog/2026/...
neo-trans.blog/2026/...
February 12, 2026 at 3:12 PM
While Amtrak is investing and expanding passenger comforts in the Buckeye State, Greyhound is leaving their historic downtown Cleveland station that they have operated since 1948.
neo-trans.blog/2026/...
neo-trans.blog/2026/...
While still down from the pre-pandemic days, NY/NJ Post Authority's PATH commuter service saw over 60M riders in 2025 (a first since 2019)
PATH logged commuter-rail ridership gain in 2025
Progressive Railroading Daily News
www.progressiverailroading.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:32 PM
While still down from the pre-pandemic days, NY/NJ Post Authority's PATH commuter service saw over 60M riders in 2025 (a first since 2019)
Amtrak held a media event yesterday to unveil the new Airo fleet.
Amtrak unveils new Airo Trains
Eighty-three new cars will soon hit the tracks with ungraded interiors. They will debut on the Cascades route between Portland, Seattle and Vancouver but will be in the Northeast next year.
www.cbsnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Amtrak held a media event yesterday to unveil the new Airo fleet.
A freight derailment this morning in Chicago's southwest suburbs has forced Metra to suspend service.
Metra Southwest Service suspended temporarily after freight rain derailment in Chicago Ridge
Metra Southwest Service train service is temporarily suspended after a freight train derailment in Chicago Ridge Wednesday morning.
www.cbsnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:17 PM
A freight derailment this morning in Chicago's southwest suburbs has forced Metra to suspend service.
Better late than never, right? Six years later than planned and 15 years after construction started, Metrolinx's (Toronto) 25-station, 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) Eglinton Crosstown finally opened up this weekend.
www.cbc.ca/news/cana...
www.cbc.ca/news/cana...
February 10, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Better late than never, right? Six years later than planned and 15 years after construction started, Metrolinx's (Toronto) 25-station, 19-kilometer (11.8-mile) Eglinton Crosstown finally opened up this weekend.
www.cbc.ca/news/cana...
www.cbc.ca/news/cana...
President & CEO Jim Mathews explains why "the Federal government has made one of the biggest-ever blunders in the long and checkered history of Federal infrastructure blunders" on the funding freeze for the Gateway Project in NYC.
For more: www.railpassengers.o...
For more: www.railpassengers.o...
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
President & CEO Jim Mathews explains why "the Federal government has made one of the biggest-ever blunders in the long and checkered history of Federal infrastructure blunders" on the funding freeze for the Gateway Project in NYC.
For more: www.railpassengers.o...
For more: www.railpassengers.o...
February 10, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of NY on Friday ordered the Trump Administration to restart funding of the Hudson Tunnel Project (Gateway) while everything plays out behind the scenes in court - but will the White House comply?
U.S. Judge Says Trump Cannot Halt Funding for Tunnel Project
Nearly all of the work had stopped on Friday while negotiations continued in Washington and litigation played out in court.
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:57 PM
Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of NY on Friday ordered the Trump Administration to restart funding of the Hudson Tunnel Project (Gateway) while everything plays out behind the scenes in court - but will the White House comply?
Capitol news round-up, a Hudson Tunnel action alert, Amtrak's winter woes, and all the rest from our the country. Happy #HotlineFriday!
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
February 6, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Capitol news round-up, a Hudson Tunnel action alert, Amtrak's winter woes, and all the rest from our the country. Happy #HotlineFriday!
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
NC DOT's Rail Division has released an economic impact study (something we at the Association are very familiar with) of returning passenger rail to the Salisbury to Asheville corridor for the first time since 1975.
NCDOT: Western North Carolina Rail Corridor Economic Impact
Information about the proposed Western North Carolina rail corridor project and its economic impact in North Carolina.
www.ncdot.gov
February 6, 2026 at 9:47 PM
NC DOT's Rail Division has released an economic impact study (something we at the Association are very familiar with) of returning passenger rail to the Salisbury to Asheville corridor for the first time since 1975.
"Northstar wasn’t a transportation project that failed. It was a funding project that succeeded." Strong Towns Founder Charles Marohn gives a sobering look at the start and sadly predictable end of commuter rail service out of the Twin Cities.
Why Minnesota’s Northstar Service Was Doomed From the Start | Strong Towns
What happens when transportation is designed for funding, not function.
www.strongtowns.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"Northstar wasn’t a transportation project that failed. It was a funding project that succeeded." Strong Towns Founder Charles Marohn gives a sobering look at the start and sadly predictable end of commuter rail service out of the Twin Cities.
With a possible workers strike still looming in the distance, the LIRR contract disputes were a hot topic during an MTA legislative meeting earlier this week.
Potential LIRR strike delayed until May as MTA pushes for work rule changes
For daily riders, the possibility of a strike remains a concern. Some commuters say reaching a fair deal is the best way to keep trains running.
longisland.news12.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:31 PM
With a possible workers strike still looming in the distance, the LIRR contract disputes were a hot topic during an MTA legislative meeting earlier this week.
How's your 2026 rail season looking so far?
1. Screenshot this.
2. Mark the squares you’ve cleared.
3. Post to your accounts and tag us so we can see who has a bingo!
1. Screenshot this.
2. Mark the squares you’ve cleared.
3. Post to your accounts and tag us so we can see who has a bingo!
February 6, 2026 at 1:03 AM
How's your 2026 rail season looking so far?
1. Screenshot this.
2. Mark the squares you’ve cleared.
3. Post to your accounts and tag us so we can see who has a bingo!
1. Screenshot this.
2. Mark the squares you’ve cleared.
3. Post to your accounts and tag us so we can see who has a bingo!
There is not much you will get the Garden and Empire states to agree on - sports, food, music, etc - but they are standing united in their fight against the Trump administration's freeze of funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project
N.Y., N.J. sue Trump administration over Gateway Tunnel funds, which are set to run out Friday
The states of New York and New Jersey are suing the Trump administration in a high-stakes showdown over the future of rail travel in the Tri-State Area.
www.cbsnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:16 PM
There is not much you will get the Garden and Empire states to agree on - sports, food, music, etc - but they are standing united in their fight against the Trump administration's freeze of funding for the Hudson Tunnel Project
Over 300k passengers a year get on and off the train in Roanoke, VA. City officials are hoping to give them a bit more comfort in the near future.
Roanoke looking to build train station at Amtrak platform
It hopes to build a station where passengers can wait inside, out of the elements, that would have bathrooms, seating, and an information kiosk.
www.wdbj7.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Over 300k passengers a year get on and off the train in Roanoke, VA. City officials are hoping to give them a bit more comfort in the near future.
Today, construction stopped on the Hudson River Tunnels because the Trump Administration has frozen funds as part of a political spat with New York State Democrats.
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February 4, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Today, construction stopped on the Hudson River Tunnels because the Trump Administration has frozen funds as part of a political spat with New York State Democrats.
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Going to be in the Bay Area for the game on Sunday? BART, Caltrain, Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will have everything covered to make getting to and from Levi Stadium as easy as possible.
Rail operators prepare for Super Bowl LX - Trains
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco Bay Area’s rail operators are gearing up for Super Bowl LX, set for this Sunday, Feb. 8, at the rail-friendly Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. BART, Caltrain, Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority are offering regular or special operations on game day, as well as transportation to activities preceding
www.trains.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Going to be in the Bay Area for the game on Sunday? BART, Caltrain, Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority will have everything covered to make getting to and from Levi Stadium as easy as possible.
The MTA has a new Chief of Rolling Stock to lead the agency's $12B replacement program.
MTA boss Janno Lieber taps Jessie Lazarus to oversee MTA’s $12B purchase of new trains and buses – amNewYork
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber on Monday directed agency veteran Jessie Lazarus to oversee the $12 billion replacement of aging subway cars, bus fleet, and
www.amny.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:09 PM
The MTA has a new Chief of Rolling Stock to lead the agency's $12B replacement program.
While it is all still in the development stage, "Hiawatha West" service between Milwaukee and Madison is still very much on the table with hopes have it running by the end of the decade.
Plans continue for potential Madison-to-Milwaukee Amtrak expansion
Here's the latest on the efforts to expand Amtrak service in Wisconsin.
www.jsonline.com
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 PM
While it is all still in the development stage, "Hiawatha West" service between Milwaukee and Madison is still very much on the table with hopes have it running by the end of the decade.