Tell your mayor to Stand Up for Trains!

The House Appropriations Committee’s attack on Amtrak, which we reported to you yesterday, is just the tip of the iceberg. The House Transportation Infrastructure Committee leadership has criticized the long-distance trains, and appears poised to write an authorization bill that will threaten those trains, possibly by requiring states to pay for them—something NARP and others consistently have attacked as unworkable. Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) has, referring to these trains, reportedly said “there are places that...


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Rail Passengers Voice Opposition to House Transportation Bill

Press Release #13-12 June 18, 2013 Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail, 202-408-8362   Rail Passengers Voice Opposition to House Transportation Budget   The National Association of Railroad Passengers announced that it will fight implementation of the House Appropriation Committee’s Fiscal Year 2014 transportation funding levels.  The draft bill, which the subcommittee will consider tomorrow, slashes Amtrak’s budget by a third, threatening Amtrak's very existence.  The bill also fails to include funding for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program.  Not only does...


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Are US crashworthiness standards “dooming” passenger rail?

One frequent criticism of passenger rail’s viability is that it entails high fixed costs and thus discourages potential investors. While many of these costs, such as track maintenance and equipment maintenance, are relatively constant, at least one can, according to a recent study, be significantly lowered: that of equipment purchases. In a new paper released by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, David Edmonson argues that outdated Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety rules prevent passenger rail operators...


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For California, “No Build” is Not an Option

CNN is at it again. (http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2013/06/15/ac-pkg-griffin-train-robbery.cnn.html) The latest entry in their series of anti-rail attack ads focuses on California’s statewide high speed rail project, which will connect the state’s biggest cities through 220 mph service.  In it, they found an unlikely ally in Quentin Kopp, one of the key architects of California’s high-speed rail project. Kopp is angry that the California High Speed Rail Authority has backed off from the construction of a planned four-track rail corridor...


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Hotline #815 -- June 14, 2013

Amtrak’s long-distance trains are under the microscope again! On June 6, House Transportation Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) reportedly said Amtrak’s nationwide service mandate is “something we have to take a hard look at… There are places that it costs us a lot of money and the ridership is not there.”   Some 173 million Americans—more than half of our total population—live within 25 miles of an Amtrak station that is served by long distance...


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Help preserve the National Network!

Tell Congress a National Network is "non-negotiable"!

Amtrak’s long-distance trains are under the microscope again! On June 6, House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) reportedly said Amtrak’s nationwide service mandate is “something we have to take a hard look at… There are places that it costs us a lot of money and the ridership is not there.”

Some 173 million Americans—more than half of our total population—live within 25 miles of an Amtrak station that is served by long distance trains.  Moreover, in 23 of the lower 48 states, long-distance trains are the only intercity passenger trains.  If we cut Amtrak's long distance service, then we eliminate all train service for scores of millions of passengers.

Take Action!

Why Long-Distance Trains Matter

Long Distance Trains: A Foundation for National Mobility, a white paper by NARP and the Midwest High-Speed Rail Association, aims to correct common misconceptions about Amtrak's national network of overnight trains and to demonstrate the valuable role they play in connecting small towns and rural areas to larger cities, with multiple city-pair "corridors" served by one highly productive train.

NARP believes that the long distance trains should remain a federal responsibility. which was reaffirmed in the 2008 law.  We believe connecting all parts of the country with reliable, affordable passenger train service is an important federal policy objective.

Click here to read the paper.

Mailing Address:

505 Capitol Court, NE, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20002-7706

Phone: 202-408-8362

Fax: 202-408-8287

Email: narp(at)narprail.org

 

The mission of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is to work for a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want.

NARP is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the United States. Our work is supported by around 20,000 individual members.

NARP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Dues and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

NARP is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors, which is elected by the all-volunteer Council of Representatives, our national advisory body elected by the general membership by state. Click here for a list of Directors and Representatives. Click here for profiles of NARP's Washington, DC professional staff.

Connect with NARP: | | | Google+

Join NARP

- Earn Amtrak Guest Rewards® points for your membership dues or special contributions to NARP! Points are redeemable for free Amtrak travel and more. Click for more details.
- (NEW!) 10% off best available fare on VIA Rail Canada trains across Canada, including Economy, Business, Sleeper and Sleeper Touring classes. Tickets must be purchased before December 31, 2013 and travel must take place before March 31, 2014. Click here to learn how to obtain the discount and read terms & conditions (member login required).
- (NEW!) 20% off Adventure Class fares on Alaska Railroad trains, summer and winter. Click here to learn how to obtain the discount (member login required)
- 20% off coach fare on Grand Canyon Railway trains between Williams, AZ, and the canyon’s south rim, or 10% off a vacation package. Click here for instructions on how to obtain the discount (member login required)
- A 10% discount at the Depot Inn and Suites in La Plata, Missouri. Click here for instructions on how to obtain the discount (member login required)
- 11 issues a year of our respected newsletter.
- Access to members-only section of this website, with Congressional voting charts, archived NARP newsletters and index, and quick access to the latest newsletter.
- A personalized membership card identifying you as a NARP member.
- Advice from NARP staff on transportation advocacy.
- An “I’d Rather Be on the Train!” bumper sticker.
- Information on membership meetings.
- Periodic legislative and Amtrak service updates
- A limited-edition NARP logo jacket (for members at the $125.00 or higher level)
You will be re-directed off the NARP website to our membership vendor, Donor Perfect.
2.  Download and print a membership form (PDF) to join by mail.
3.  Send NARP an e-mail message, providing us a mailing address to mail you a membership package.
4.  Call NARP at 202-408-8362.
 
Existing members: Forgot your membership number? Need a new membership card or bumper sticker? Want to update your contact information? Want to learn how to get more involved in NARP's work?

Click here to renew your NARP membership.

 

If you are an  Amtrak Guest Rewards® member, you will earn points for paying your NARP membership dues or making special contributions to NARP. You may redeem your points for free Amtrak travel, hotel stays, car rentals, gift cards, and more. Simply enter your Amtrak Guest Rewards number in the designated field. Please allow 4-6 weeks for points to post to your account. All Amtrak Guest Rewards terms and conditions apply.

If you are not an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you can join today, free of charge, by clicking here. 

 

NARP Membership Level (annual)

    Amtrak Guest Rewards Points earned

$35 — Individual 

   300

$45 — Family*

   350

$50 — Donor 

   350

$75 — Sponsor 

   500

$125 — Sustaining

   750

$150 — Advocates Club Bronze

   1,000

$250 — Advocates Club Silver

$500 — Advocates Club Gold

$750 — Advocates Club Platinum

$1,000 — Lifetime Membership

   2,000

   3,500

   5,500

   7,500

$1,000 — Silver Rails Society

   7,500

$20 — Student 

   150

$25 — Senior (ages 62 and up)

   150

*Note: A Family or higher level membership entitles you to add a second person to your membership. Each person receives his or her own NARP membership card with the same membership number.

Learn More or call (202) 408-8362 to join NARP today.

 

 

If you decide to join at the $125.00 or higher level, we will send you this NARP logo jacket as a special gift. Simply check the box on the online Join form and select your size (small, medium, large or extra large), or call (202) 408-8362 to join over the phone.

 

 

 

NARP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Dues and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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Since January 1, 2012