National Association of Railroad Passengers: www.narprail.org

Long-Distance Route Citizen Teams: Cultivating Grassroots Local Support

NARP is helping rail advocates to develop cohesive route-wide teams for each long-distance train in the national network.  See the below links to learn more about existing teams.

The following is the text of an email sent to NARP members.

To NARP Members, August 9, 2006--

The budget battles of recent years make it clear that Amtrak’s critics are out to get rid of all long distance trains. We can stop them by making noise and demonstrating strong public support for these trains.

NARP is organizing a campaign to form “route teams” to support each long distance route. If you can do even such simple things as talk, walk, phone, and pass out leaflets we need you to join this important campaign that will strengthen and grow these important trains.  Organizing ourselves at the local, grass roots level is the way to do this. It is an essential component in our ongoing campaign to preserve and improve the long distance system.

The model for these groups would be the very successful Texas Eagle Marketing and Performance Organization, or Tempo.  It has been in existence for nine years and has proven to be an effective voice and advocate for the Texas Eagle, and spurred the formation of a similar group for the Heartland Flyer. Grass roots organizing is what saved the Texas Eagle and its how we’re going to prevail in our fight to protect other routes.

We need volunteers in every area where Amtrak has a station—including cities and towns that have Thruway bus connections. Anyone and everyone who has a little time can make a difference.

Some of our ideas for what we would like to see these groups do:

--establish relationships with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and newspaper editorial boards; engage them to promote their train service and also make them aware of the threats outlined above

--reach out to local elected officials and make sure they are aware of the train and the continual threats to Amtrak’s long distance system from Washington

--pass out literature at stations

--get merchants to put posters in store windows

--attend meeting with your Representative and Senator when they have town hall meetings

--raise the general visibility of the train in your community and region.

This is by no means a complete list.  Groups may take on other tasks they deem appropriate.  In some cases, the teams’ work will strengthen and expand on efforts already under way by Amtrak ticket agents and other people acting individually.

If you would like to volunteer along the Amtrak long distance route you live near, please contact NARP.  Include all of your contact information: name, address, phone number and E-mail.

Since a key element of the groups will be interaction with local officials, we would prefer those that live along a specific route become involved with that route. However, Thruway Bus connections count as well (e.g. Duluth, MN for the Empire Builder).  And, yes, we would love to have participation for the long distance trains that serve stations on the Northeast Corridor!

There are many tasks to do.  The first step is to volunteer.  We will get back to those who are interested once we gauge overall interest in the program, identify leaders, and begin the effort to organize each route.

Contact NARP

-Ross B. Capon
NARP Executive Director