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!
Reactions and comments from those onboard the NY-bound Vermonter that derailed yesterday afternoon in MA
www.news10.com/news/...
www.news10.com/news/...
January 29, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Reactions and comments from those onboard the NY-bound Vermonter that derailed yesterday afternoon in MA
www.news10.com/news/...
www.news10.com/news/...
The good news is that full service between NYC and Albany is returning, but it's going to come with a cost and fewer station options.
Amtrak restores NYC-Albany trains, dropping cheaper Metro-North alternative
Gov. Hochul says Amtrak service will return in March, but with it, riders lose a cheaper Metro-North option.
gothamist.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:33 PM
The good news is that full service between NYC and Albany is returning, but it's going to come with a cost and fewer station options.
In places with robust public transit options, parking should be a hassle
People 'choosing rideshare or transit' due to city parking frustrations
Survey by T2 Systems suggests two-thirds of US drivers spend 15 minutes looking for a space
www.itsinternational.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:14 PM
In places with robust public transit options, parking should be a hassle
North Texas Daily opinion writer Kyson Barber gives his views on the ongoing story of four communities contemplating about cutting ties with the DART system because they feel that they aren't getting what they pay for. But the alternatives are much worse.
Struggling public transit systems will cause harm to communities throughout DFW
The lack of strong and connected public transportation in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is and will continue to harm its residents.
www.ntdaily.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:46 PM
North Texas Daily opinion writer Kyson Barber gives his views on the ongoing story of four communities contemplating about cutting ties with the DART system because they feel that they aren't getting what they pay for. But the alternatives are much worse.
Read the statement made by Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews in response to today’s announcement that construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project will pause on Feb. 6th if the disbursement of previously-committed federal funding isn't restored.
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
January 27, 2026 at 10:01 PM
Read the statement made by Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews in response to today’s announcement that construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project will pause on Feb. 6th if the disbursement of previously-committed federal funding isn't restored.
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
Gateway's federal funding pipeline stopped back in Oct. during the shutdown & remained so after while the administration dug through contracts for compliance. Now, still without funding, the $16B megaproject is about to come to a complete halt...
Work Will Stop on Tunnel Project Between NY and NJ Unless Trump Restores Funding
The builders of the Gateway project, a critical rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, warned that construction cannot continue without the withheld federal money.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Gateway's federal funding pipeline stopped back in Oct. during the shutdown & remained so after while the administration dug through contracts for compliance. Now, still without funding, the $16B megaproject is about to come to a complete halt...
MBTA crews around the Greater Boston Region are doing their best to dig out from this weekend's storm, after over 20 inches of snow hit the area over a two-day span.
MBTA announces commuter rail cancellations due to ‘ongoing storm impacts’
Commuter rail trains across the transit system were being impacted.
www.yahoo.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:01 PM
MBTA crews around the Greater Boston Region are doing their best to dig out from this weekend's storm, after over 20 inches of snow hit the area over a two-day span.
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.
Big changes to Brightline in the form of former Eurostar and Siemens France CEO Nicolas Petrovic
Brightline announces key leadership changes for next phase of growth | Biscayne Bay Tribune#
Brightline Trains recently announced the appointment of rail industry veteran Nicolas Petrovic as CEO of Brightline Holdings LLC. Petrovic will succeed Michael Reininger, who has led Brightline’s development from 2012 to 2018 and again since 2021. In his new role, Petrovic will focus on driving long-term value and sustained growth for Brightline’s Florida operations while
communitynewspapers.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Big changes to Brightline in the form of former Eurostar and Siemens France CEO Nicolas Petrovic
LA Metro's East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is still a handful of years away from being in service, but there is plenty of work being done to make sure they hit the 2031 target.
Utility Work for East Valley Light Rail Project to Bring Months of Closures - SM Mirror
The work will take place from Jan. 26 through June 22 along Van Nuys Boulevard Utility relocation work for Metro’s East San Fernando Valley Light Rail
smmirror.com
January 26, 2026 at 7:16 PM
LA Metro's East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project is still a handful of years away from being in service, but there is plenty of work being done to make sure they hit the 2031 target.
The 3rd busiest station in the NYC system hasn't seen an upgrade in over two decades, but thanks to a comprehensive rezoning plan and $50M from the Governor's executive budget - it's time for a new coat of paint (and a whole lot more) for the Jamaica hub.
Proposed overhaul at Jamaica station comes as Queens area reckons with housing boom
Gov. Hochul plans to overhaul the long-neglected Queens transit hub. It comes just after the City Council approved a sprawling rezoning plan for the surrounding area.
gothamist.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:05 PM
The 3rd busiest station in the NYC system hasn't seen an upgrade in over two decades, but thanks to a comprehensive rezoning plan and $50M from the Governor's executive budget - it's time for a new coat of paint (and a whole lot more) for the Jamaica hub.
We break down the FY26 THUD funding bill and the STB's rejection of the UP/NS deal, plus all the news that's fit to print. Stay warm out here! #HotlineFriday
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
January 23, 2026 at 9:47 PM
We break down the FY26 THUD funding bill and the STB's rejection of the UP/NS deal, plus all the news that's fit to print. Stay warm out here! #HotlineFriday
www.railpassengers.o...
www.railpassengers.o...
All too often we see stories of train vs. car/truck on the tracks, and it usually doesn't turn out good for anyone involved. On this occasion, we get a happy ending.
www.cbs17.com/news/l...
www.cbs17.com/news/l...
January 23, 2026 at 6:41 PM
All too often we see stories of train vs. car/truck on the tracks, and it usually doesn't turn out good for anyone involved. On this occasion, we get a happy ending.
www.cbs17.com/news/l...
www.cbs17.com/news/l...
Part of the larger 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (which includes the brand-new flyover that we covered last year), the over a century old Forest Hill rail diamond crossing has officially been removed by CSX.
CSX removes Chicago diamond crossing to improve rail traffic flow
Progressive Railroading Daily News
www.progressiverailroading.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Part of the larger 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (which includes the brand-new flyover that we covered last year), the over a century old Forest Hill rail diamond crossing has officially been removed by CSX.
Writer and UVA student Victoria Parage-Riboul gives a peek into her "contentious relationship" with Amtrak as a regular weekend rider between DC and Charlottesville
An ode to the train system
I’ve spent quite a few commutes on the Amtrak train — my ratty backpack and trusty duffle bag in tow.
www.cavalierdaily.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Writer and UVA student Victoria Parage-Riboul gives a peek into her "contentious relationship" with Amtrak as a regular weekend rider between DC and Charlottesville
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.
Changes to the Empire Builder and Borealis schedule for the next few days as temps will drop to -60 in some places along the route.
Amtrak announces weather cancellations
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www.channel3000.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Changes to the Empire Builder and Borealis schedule for the next few days as temps will drop to -60 in some places along the route.
For the second time since the company broke ground in 2024, Brightline West is pushing back the opening of their 218-mile route between Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
Brightline West now aims for completion in late 2029 - Trains
LAS VEGAS — The completion date for the Brightline West high-speed rail project has been pushed back again, this time to late 2029.
The company informed KVVU-TV of that date last week, but not did elaborate on reasons for the new estimate. It did say the project is in the “civil construction” phase, preparing the route along Interstate 15.
Brightline West will
www.trains.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:54 PM
For the second time since the company broke ground in 2024, Brightline West is pushing back the opening of their 218-mile route between Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
The replacement for the 111-year-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River is nearly complete, but commuters will have to brace for disruptions over the next four weeks as crews begin the transition from old to new.
Toll of Commuting: Portal Bridge construction to disrupt NJ Transit, Amtrak commuters
The nearly $2 billion project is a critical span for commuters on the Northeast Corridor, but riders will need to prepare for the transition from the 111-year-old one.
newjersey.news12.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:41 PM
The replacement for the 111-year-old Portal Bridge over the Hackensack River is nearly complete, but commuters will have to brace for disruptions over the next four weeks as crews begin the transition from old to new.
Part of the overall Low Carbon Transit Operation Program, which has funded over 1,500 projects since 2014, Caltrans is awarding $202M for an additional 143 transportation projects - including LA Metro, MUNI in the Bay Area, and San Diego's MTS.
California investing $202 million to expand cleaner transportation options in communities most affected by pollution | Caltrans
State of California
dot.ca.gov
January 21, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Part of the overall Low Carbon Transit Operation Program, which has funded over 1,500 projects since 2014, Caltrans is awarding $202M for an additional 143 transportation projects - including LA Metro, MUNI in the Bay Area, and San Diego's MTS.
It seems like a pretty obvious idea that passenger rail staff would have the same federal protections as their airline counterparts, but that is not the case at all. Sens. Duckworth (D-IL) and Hoeven (R-ND) are hoping to finally get them on equal footing
Sens. Duckworth, Hoeven introduce bill to protect passenger-rail crews
Progressive Railroading Daily News
www.progressiverailroading.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:33 PM
It seems like a pretty obvious idea that passenger rail staff would have the same federal protections as their airline counterparts, but that is not the case at all. Sens. Duckworth (D-IL) and Hoeven (R-ND) are hoping to finally get them on equal footing
So now we know what’s in store for rail appropriations for the rest of Fiscal 2026 - and it's not pretty (Amtrak is largely spared, but grant programs for rail & transit get hit hard).
For everything we know about the "compromise" THUD bill: railpassengers.org/h...
For everything we know about the "compromise" THUD bill: railpassengers.org/h...
January 20, 2026 at 11:23 PM
So now we know what’s in store for rail appropriations for the rest of Fiscal 2026 - and it's not pretty (Amtrak is largely spared, but grant programs for rail & transit get hit hard).
For everything we know about the "compromise" THUD bill: railpassengers.org/h...
For everything we know about the "compromise" THUD bill: railpassengers.org/h...
CRRC, the Chinese owned plant based in Western MA, has sent a 60-day notice to 161 workers (40% of the workforce) due to the car shells being held up at the Port of Philadelphia since May. CRRC makes subway cars for both Boston's MBTA and the LA Metro.
CRRC will lay off workers because U.S. customs still blocking car shells from China - masslive.com
The MBTA said it stays laser-focused on answering questions from customs officials: “we remain confident that car shipments will be allowed to resume”.
www.masslive.com
January 20, 2026 at 9:16 PM
CRRC, the Chinese owned plant based in Western MA, has sent a 60-day notice to 161 workers (40% of the workforce) due to the car shells being held up at the Port of Philadelphia since May. CRRC makes subway cars for both Boston's MBTA and the LA Metro.
It's been three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, OH and residents, and local economy, are still trying to pick up the pieces - including closed businesses and unfulfilled promises.
(Gift Article)
(Gift Article)
‘Punched in the Face’ by a Rail Disaster, an Ohio Town Fights Its Way Back
Residents and officials are still trying to revitalize East Palestine nearly three years after a derailment and chemical burn.
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:08 PM
It's been three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, OH and residents, and local economy, are still trying to pick up the pieces - including closed businesses and unfulfilled promises.
(Gift Article)
(Gift Article)
Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews catches you up on last night's decision by the STB to reject the UP/NS application on the merits that it was incomplete.
For more: railpassengers.org/h...
For more: railpassengers.org/h...
January 17, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews catches you up on last night's decision by the STB to reject the UP/NS application on the merits that it was incomplete.
For more: railpassengers.org/h...
For more: railpassengers.org/h...