United Rail Passenger Alliance

Volume 6, Number 34

Founded over three decades ago in 1976, URPA is a nationally known policy institute which focuses on solutions and plans for passenger rail systems in North America. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, URPA has professional associates in Minnesota, California, Arizona, New Mexico, the District of Columbia, Texas, New York, and other cities. For more detailed information, along with a variety of position papers and other documents, visit the URPA web site at http://www.unitedrail.org.

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Volume 6, Number 33

1. Good ideas never go bad, they just sometimes are put on a shelf. Read more…

Volume 6, Number 31

1. Here’s the pertinent question: Is Amtrak really interested in being a successful company?

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Volume 6, Number 31

1. The lack of intellectual honesty when preparing reports apparently goes far beyond Amtrak. We know Amtrak’s P.R.I.I.A. Section 226 Gulf Coast Service Plan Report for restoring passenger rail service east of New Orleans and into Florida was fatally flawed and intellectually dishonest in addition to being insulting to anyone who is serious about passenger rail. Everyone is waiting to see what Amtrak will come up with for the Pioneer route restoration report which was originally due last week, and the North Coast Limited route restoration report which should also be due in the next few months. Read more…

Volume 6, Number 30

1. At the end of July, This Week at Amtrak asked readers for a list of Amtrak stations paid for by local or state funds which no longer exist or have had service dramatically reduced (Including downgrading stations where trains previously served to current Amtrak Thruway Bus Service instead of train service). We had a great response. Here’s a partial national list of stations no longer served by Amtrak; some were paid for by local or state government, some were paid for by Amtrak. Read more…

Volume 6, Number 29

1. The magnificence of the wisdom of other allows us to think beyond normal boundaries. This issue is devoted to thoughts and information from three impeccable sources. Read more…

Volume 6, Number 28

1. There’s more, on the recent “retirement” of former Amtrak Inspector General Fred Weiderhold, and it’s not good. Read more…

Volume 6, Number 27

1. The folks on the Loonie Right – you know the type, they drive the BIG Hummer, not the wimpy small version, don’t care much about the cost of gas, and keep a hunting rifle handy in case while they’re driving home from work they want to shoot Bambi for dinner – are adamantly opposed to high speed rail, transit, and any type of transportation other than the automobile, pickup truck, or SUVs. Read more…