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!
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter, and on-time trains!
December 25, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter, and on-time trains!
Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews looks back at a successful year for passenger rail while keeping an eye on the advocacy fights to come.
Rail Passengers - End of Year Message from President & CEO Jim Mathews
Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews looks back at a successful year for passenger rail while keeping an eye on the advocacy fights to come.
Make An End-of-Year Gift Now: https://www.railpassengers.org/eoy25
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www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews looks back at a successful year for passenger rail while keeping an eye on the advocacy fights to come.
I’m Just A Bill ends with our little bill about school buses stopping at grade crossings, still lounging on the Capitol steps, getting the long-awaited news from the congressman who originally wrote him:
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December 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I’m Just A Bill ends with our little bill about school buses stopping at grade crossings, still lounging on the Capitol steps, getting the long-awaited news from the congressman who originally wrote him:
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Hotline Junction, what's your function? Hooking up stories and videos and opinions. (It will make sense, trust us). We have a ton of news on the UP/NS merger, an end-of-year video from Jim, and something about bills...
See you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
See you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
December 19, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Hotline Junction, what's your function? Hooking up stories and videos and opinions. (It will make sense, trust us). We have a ton of news on the UP/NS merger, an end-of-year video from Jim, and something about bills...
See you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
See you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...
The Rail Passengers Association today expressed deep concern over Union Pacific’s application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) [Docket No. FD 36873], seeking approval for an $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern.
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December 19, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The Rail Passengers Association today expressed deep concern over Union Pacific’s application to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) [Docket No. FD 36873], seeking approval for an $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern.
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In the DC area this week? Stop by Washington Union Station's Holiday Market for an Amtrak pop-up
x.com/Amtrak/status/...
x.com/Amtrak/status/...
December 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
In the DC area this week? Stop by Washington Union Station's Holiday Market for an Amtrak pop-up
x.com/Amtrak/status/...
x.com/Amtrak/status/...
$5M is up for grabs for states outside the NEC who want to get passenger rail projects off the ground (looking at you Wisconsin and Arizona)
www.smartcitiesdive.....
www.smartcitiesdive.....
DOT extends deadline to apply for intercity passenger rail grants
About $5 billion in funding is available to states or groups of states for new or improved rail service outside the Northeast Corridor.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
December 18, 2025 at 5:02 PM
$5M is up for grabs for states outside the NEC who want to get passenger rail projects off the ground (looking at you Wisconsin and Arizona)
www.smartcitiesdive.....
www.smartcitiesdive.....
The STB's Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (of which our President & CEO is a member) will continue on
STB renews charter of passenger advisory committee - Trains
WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board has renewed the charter of its Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, the group created to assist the board on issues related to passenger service.
The board announced creation of the committee in 2023 and selected 21 members from a group of 90 nominees for the first version of the board in March 2024 [see “STB names
www.trains.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
The STB's Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (of which our President & CEO is a member) will continue on
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.
In an effort to speed up the planning process for infrastructure projects, namely a proposed high-speed line between Toronto and Quebec City, a bill to "accelerate planning, design, and engineering" is currently under review in Parliament
www.railway.supply/t...
www.railway.supply/t...
December 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
In an effort to speed up the planning process for infrastructure projects, namely a proposed high-speed line between Toronto and Quebec City, a bill to "accelerate planning, design, and engineering" is currently under review in Parliament
www.railway.supply/t...
www.railway.supply/t...
Chattanooga has put their USDOT Corridor ID grant, issued in 2023 to study an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville-Memphis Corridor passenger rail line, to good use and is in the process of creating a nonprofit entity to oversee the project going forward.
First research phase of Chattanooga passenger rail project nearly complete, mayor says | Chattanooga Times Free Press
The first phase of one of Chattanooga's more elusive goals — bringing passenger trains back to the city — is nearly complete.
www.timesfreepress.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Chattanooga has put their USDOT Corridor ID grant, issued in 2023 to study an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville-Memphis Corridor passenger rail line, to good use and is in the process of creating a nonprofit entity to oversee the project going forward.
UPDATE: We posted an in-depth story a yesterday from Progressive Railroading about the UP/NS and what it all means for passenger rail (including quotes from our President + CEO) - but we forgot to share the link.
Our apologies.
Story:
Our apologies.
Story:
Proposed Class I megamerger could shake things up for Amtrak in 2026
Progressive Railroading - Amtrak made history in late August when it launched its NextGen Acela high-speed rail service along the Northeast Corridor. More than 60,000 passengers rode the service in its first month of operation.
www.progressiverailroading.com
December 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
UPDATE: We posted an in-depth story a yesterday from Progressive Railroading about the UP/NS and what it all means for passenger rail (including quotes from our President + CEO) - but we forgot to share the link.
Our apologies.
Story:
Our apologies.
Story:
I'm sure some of our friends in The Hub might snicker at this
America's Most Reliable Public Transportation Subway Belongs To A Thriving East Coast City - Islands
With fast airport connections, dense subway coverage, and coastal rail lines, Boston stands out as one of the most travel-friendly transit cities.
www.islands.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I'm sure some of our friends in The Hub might snicker at this
Two major passenger rail projects, which are set to begin construction at some point next year, are part of this list
10 megaprojects begin construction across US next year
They represent major U.S. infrastructure and industrial investments across energy, transportation, technology, and manufacturing.
www.newsweek.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Two major passenger rail projects, which are set to begin construction at some point next year, are part of this list
Rail Passengers President + CEO is quoted in this long form piece from Progressive Railroading on what the proposed "merger" between Union Pacific Railroad & Norfolk Southern could mean for passenger rail - and what will be asked of the STB in its evaluation of the deal.
December 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Rail Passengers President + CEO is quoted in this long form piece from Progressive Railroading on what the proposed "merger" between Union Pacific Railroad & Norfolk Southern could mean for passenger rail - and what will be asked of the STB in its evaluation of the deal.
Over 18k unionized Amtrak workers are getting a little extra in their stockings this year.
Amtrak's unionized workers are getting $900 holiday bonuses after their managers gave up half of theirs
Amtrak's unionized workers are getting $900 holiday bonuses after executives agreed to give up half of theirs, the Department of Transportation said.
www.businessinsider.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Over 18k unionized Amtrak workers are getting a little extra in their stockings this year.
We have more rail tracks than anyone and the greatest freight system in the world - but why is passenger rail such a mystery?
www.npr.org/2025/12/...
www.npr.org/2025/12/...
December 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
We have more rail tracks than anyone and the greatest freight system in the world - but why is passenger rail such a mystery?
www.npr.org/2025/12/...
www.npr.org/2025/12/...
Join Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews at last month's Southampton (MA) Yard groundbreaking ceremony - the $583M investment to welcome the new Airo trainsets in 2026.
Watch the video for insights on this long-awaited project:
Watch the video for insights on this long-awaited project:
Mr. Mathews Helps Break Ground in Southampton, MA
Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews was invited to speak at Amtrak's Southampton Yard groundbreaking ceremony in November as they prepared to welcome the new Airo trainsets in 2026 with a $583M investment. In this video, Jim talks about that project along with a payoff that was decades in t
youtu.be
December 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Join Rail Passengers President + CEO Jim Mathews at last month's Southampton (MA) Yard groundbreaking ceremony - the $583M investment to welcome the new Airo trainsets in 2026.
Watch the video for insights on this long-awaited project:
Watch the video for insights on this long-awaited project:
The penultimate #HotlineFriday of 2025. We "wrap" up the year, highlight investments at work, cover a win for CAHSR, and celebrate with some holiday merch and events around the country.
See you onboard! www.railpassengers.o...
See you onboard! www.railpassengers.o...
December 12, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The penultimate #HotlineFriday of 2025. We "wrap" up the year, highlight investments at work, cover a win for CAHSR, and celebrate with some holiday merch and events around the country.
See you onboard! www.railpassengers.o...
See you onboard! www.railpassengers.o...
For so many of us, the train set lapping the holiday town set up under the Christmas tree is a core memory from our childhood. All Aboard Ohio Communications Director Beth Russell dives into that familiar holiday feeling and looks at the “season built on rail.”
The Magic That Moves Us: Why Trains Are the Soul of the Season | All Aboard Ohio
Every December, trains circle our trees and fill our stories with wonder. But outside the glow of the season, they vanish from daily life. What do our holiday traditions reveal about longing, connection, and the future of passenger rail in Ohio?
www.allaboardohio.org
December 12, 2025 at 7:23 PM
For so many of us, the train set lapping the holiday town set up under the Christmas tree is a core memory from our childhood. All Aboard Ohio Communications Director Beth Russell dives into that familiar holiday feeling and looks at the “season built on rail.”
Six stories under NYC, project managers for the East Tunnel rehab gave members of the media a tour to mark the first six months of work.
Inside look at East River tunnel project to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy
Deep below the streets of Midtown, a small army of workers toil 24 hours a day, seven days a week to rebuild tunnels battered by Superstorm Sandy.
abc7ny.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Six stories under NYC, project managers for the East Tunnel rehab gave members of the media a tour to mark the first six months of work.
They said nobody rides trains anymore. That it is an "outdated technology."
The data says otherwise.
2025 wasn't just a good year for passenger rail - it was a record-breaking one.
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The data says otherwise.
2025 wasn't just a good year for passenger rail - it was a record-breaking one.
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December 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM
They said nobody rides trains anymore. That it is an "outdated technology."
The data says otherwise.
2025 wasn't just a good year for passenger rail - it was a record-breaking one.
1/4
The data says otherwise.
2025 wasn't just a good year for passenger rail - it was a record-breaking one.
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For the first time since 2019, the Operation North Pole (ONP) Christmas train is returning to the Chicago suburbs
More info:
More info:
Operation North Pole Christmas train returns to the rails | Metra
CHICAGO (Dec. 8, 2025) – After a five-year hiatus, the Operation North Pole (ONP) Christmas train is returning to the rails! Metra and ONP encourage Chicago area residents to show their support on Saturday, Dec. 20, and cheer on the families participating in ONP’s annual holiday train trip for seriously and terminally ill children and their families on Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line.
www.metra.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:45 PM
For the first time since 2019, the Operation North Pole (ONP) Christmas train is returning to the Chicago suburbs
More info:
More info:
In 35 years of rail service, North Carolina's rail division has never had a month like they did this past October - with nearly 75,000 passengers on board.
NC By Train sees highest ridership in 35 years of service
No traffic and affordable tickets? Time to take the train! NC By Train is looking to expand stops and upgrade trains and stations.
spectrumlocalnews.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
In 35 years of rail service, North Carolina's rail division has never had a month like they did this past October - with nearly 75,000 passengers on board.
Passenger rail and public transit options are going to be VERY important come next summer.
Texas-Oklahoma train route could be key in World Cup travel
Hundreds of thousands of visitors will converge on Dallas-Fort Worth for the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup.
www.axios.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Passenger rail and public transit options are going to be VERY important come next summer.