Train Passengers Praise Amtrak 2012 Improvement Plan

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#12-01)
January 12, 2012

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail – 202-408-8362 [mobile: 202-320-2723]

Train Passengers Applaud Amtrak’s Planned Improvements for 2012

Remain committed to seeing long-term expansion of America’s intercity passenger rail network

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) praised yesterday’s release of the 2012 Amtrak agenda, which includes construction of 130 new single-level long-distance cars for the national network and 70 new electric locomotives for the Northeast.  These improvements will allow Amtrak to handle the record number of passengers across America who are increasingly relying on trains to get around the country.

The long distance cars—which will be built by U.S. workers throughout 2012—will replace and supplement the existing fleet.  By retiring the oldest cars still in service, some of which date back to the 1940s, Amtrak will be able to improve service and reliability on its national network, which has become a transportation life-life to hundreds of rural and suburban communities stranded by the contracting airline industry.

Amtrak will also produce a fresh round of Performance Improvement Plans for long-distance routes.  The railroad will look at ways to improve service and increase ridership on routes that run between Chicago and Los Angeles, Seattle/Portland and New Orleans, and between Los Angeles and Seattle.

“Amtrak has done an excellent job in identifying achievable, common-sense service improvements during previous rounds, so we’re looking forward to the product of these new studies,” said NARP President Ross Capon. “However, these plans are too important to America’s passengers to sit on a shelf, and we will continue to press Congress, the Obama Administration, and Amtrak itself to make sure these Performance Improvement Plans are acted upon.”

Amtrak has also identified a number of aggressive improvements for the Northeast Corridor.  In addition to new locomotives, the company will move forward with design and engineering work on the Gateway Program to increase capacity into Manhattan and eliminate a significant chokepoint on the NEC; projects include building two new tunnels under the Hudson and providing a much needed replacement for the 100-year old Portal Bridge.  Amtrak is also moving forward on work in New Jersey that will increase the Acela Express’ top speed from 135 mph to 160 mph along a 24-mile section of the NEC between Trenton and New Brunswick, New Jersey.

About the National Association of Railroad Passengers

NARP is the only national organization speaking for the users of passenger trains and rail transit. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by over 22,000 individual members.