NARP Congratulates Amtrak on its 40th Birthday

Passengers Congratulate Amtrak on 40th Birthday

Release #11-11—May 3, 2011

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail, 202-320-2723

Washington D.C.—At an event held yesterday at Washington’s Union Station, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) congratulated Amtrak on four decades as America’s railroad and expressed optimism for the company’s bright future as a leader in modern passenger trains.

NARP Chairman Robert Stewart presented a plaque of appreciation to Amtrak’s employees—accepted by Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman—before a gathering of transportation officials and Amtrak employees.

“Amtrak had defied its critics by refusing to die—and by growing into a vital piece of the U.S. transportation system that so many Americans could not do without” said Stewart.  “I thank the Amtrak employees for 40 years of poise, dedication, and sacrifice—sometimes even that of their lives—which have allowed America’s passengers to travel safely and comfortably over the decades.”

NARP was founded in 1967 and played a role in the passage of the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970, leading to the creation of Amtrak.  Members of NARP have worked with Amtrak towards the common goal of providing a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want.

After 17 straight months of year-over-year growth—carrying over 28.7 million last year, a ridership record for the railroad—Amtrak has never been better placed to become an equal partner with highways and airports in U.S. transportation infrastructure.  NARP will continue its work to ensure that Amtrak receives the support it needs to be able to expand its network—offering more routes and more trains—to meet rising passenger demands.

###

About the National Association of Railroad Passengers
NARP is the largest citizen-based organization advocating for train and rail transit passengers, and for robust passenger train service as the lynchpin of an interconnected, multi-modal transportation network for the 21st century. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger train service in the U.S. Our work is supported by over 23,000 individual members.