National Association of Railroad Passengers: www.narprail.org

Action Alert

Action Alert flyer… please distribute copies to as many Amtrak passengers as you can, whether or not you are traveling!

There are two priorities for passenger rail advocates in the 110th Congress: Amtrak reauthorization and the Fiscal 2009 budget.The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (S. 294) has passed the Senate.  We now need a House version. The bill provides for common-sense Amtrak reform and operational improvements, authorizes Amtrak for the five years Fiscal 2008-2012, provides for capital assistance for states, and development of state rail plans.  Tell your House member to push for companion legislation.

President Bush’s 2009 budget request was released on February 4.  It calls for cutting Amtrak funding by $535 million, or 40%.  Tell your House and Senate members to reject these proposed cuts and fully fund Amtrak.  (link to our Feb. 4 news release)

(A detailed synopsis of PRIIA is available here on our website.)

Make your voice heard in Washington!

You can access your Members’ webpages by going to the Senate website and choose your state from the drop-down menu.  The House website asks for your zipcode to be taken to your Representative’s page.

A sample message is presented below.

Several NARP members have asked why we do not offer the “free email and fax service” that some other non-profit groups provide.  Please read this article from the Washington Post that discusses these services’ increasing ineffectiveness.  Although it takes a bit more effort, making phone calls and going through Members’ websites (links we provide above) will ensure that your message is heard and documented.

(Be sure to include your mailing address to prove that you are a constituent)

Dear Senator/Representative:

President Bush has only request $800 million for Amtrak in his Fiscal 2009 budget.  Please work to reject this 40% cut and fully fund Amtrak.  America needs passenger rail now more than ever with increasing congestion at airports and on our highways.

I also urge your support for the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, S. 294.  The bill provides real, meaningful reform for Amtrak and a federal-state partnership for capital investments, which is enjoyed by the other modes of transportation.  Please urge House leadership to pass companion legislation.

Thank you for considering my views.

Sincerely,

• When writing elected officials, keep your message brief (one page or 4-5 E-mail paragraphs) and to the point (talk about only one issue at a time).
• While E-mail is convenient, many offices are overwhelmed with E-mail correspondence; especially spam.  For optimum effectiveness, fax is the best way to communicate with your legislators.  Don’t discount E-mail, but don’t be surprised if you do not receive a response.  Send all U.S. Mail to district offices, not Washington, D.C.  Anthrax/poison screening is still in effect.
• Refrain from insults!  Anger accomplishes nothing
• If you choose to call, you will likely speak with the elected official’s legislative aid for transportation
• Offer to follow up a phone call with a fax or E-mail with more details
• Let the NARP office know if you receive a response with incorrect information and the NARP staff will contact them!

Action Alert flyer… please distribute copies to as many Amtrak passengers as you can, whether or not you are traveling!

NARP Pushes The Facts.  Home of our “Amtrak Fact Check” and other resources you can use to get the truth out about Amtrak.  Includes the 2006 Fact Check and a list of key Congressional offices.

Passenger Rail Funding & Statistics and other Advocacy Tools...data about specific services, ridership, and other benefits of rail travel.