In a visit to St. Paul’s restored Union Depot, President Barack Obama outlined an ambitious $302 billion, 4-year investment plan for America’s roads, bridges, railways, and transit. $19 billion of that will go towards rail, with another $72 billion directed to transit.

The President was in St. Paul to celebrate the renovation of Union Depot, which returned intercity passenger trains back downtown after more than 30 years. The restoration occurred as part of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, which provides funding to projects of regional significance that generate positive economic development. Thanks to the TIGER program, Union Depot is being transformed from a dusty, overrun old building into a modern regional transit hub.

And while $600 million for intermodal projects is a pretty big deal, it was dwarfed by the $302 billion surface transportation plan, which includes a one-time infusion of $150 billion in revenue from corporate tax reform.

The President’s plan includes $19 billion in dedicated funding for rail programs. That would mean almost $5 billion each year for high performance passenger rail programs, with “a focus on improving the connections between key regional city pairs and high traffic corridors throughout the country.”

There’s reason to be cautious: this Congress hasn’t been active at the best of times, much less right before an election. But it’s an amazing thing when the President of the United States pushes for passenger trains to be included as part of a comprehensive transportation program. If enacted, it would mean predictable, sustainable levels of funding for trains, and that allows Amtrak and the states to plan, to buy new equipment, and to make much needed investments in critical infrastructure.

Expect more next week. But until then, rest assured All Aboard Minnesota and NARP will be working to advance the rights of American passengers.

Source - Narp Press Release

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO HELP NARP and ALL ABOARD MINNESOTA DEFEND THE LONG-DISTANCE TRAINS!

We all know that Amtrak's long-distance trains have been threatened for some time and for a variety of reasons. Despite the many benefits these trains provide to the American public, they've been the subject of unending political attacks. 

One of the most effective arguments we can use with public officials is that the long distance trains provide people in small communities all across America with mobility. Whether it’s the Southwest Chief or the Cardinal or the Empire Builder, these trains are the only viable form of public transportation for literally millions of Americans.

ANOTHER VERY POWERFUL ARGUMENT

The chairman of our board of directors, Bob Stewart, was recently in Garden City, Kansas, one of the communities to be affected if the Southwest Chief were to stop operating. During his visit there, Bob was approached by a nurse from St. Catherine’s Hospital. She told him that they have patients with medical problems for whom St. Catherine's does not have the appropriate facilities or expertise. Those patients are referred to bigger and better equipped hospitals in Kansas City or Albuquerque or Chicago. And, she said, they are often transported there on the Southwest Chief!

Medical patients turning to one of Amtrak’s long-distance trains for safe, comfortable and affordable transportation can’t be unique to Garden City. It must also be happening in other communities and on other trains.  And it’s a powerful argument to use with the politicians who are looking for excuses to shut down Amtrak’s long-distance network.

THAT’S THE BACKGROUND. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

Do you have any personal knowledge of long-distance trains transporting people in need of specialized medical services from rural communities to big-city medical facilities? If so, please email me at [email protected], and I'll follow up with you to find out all the details so we can strengthen our case for the nation’s long-distance trains (you can also submit information anonymously online, if you'd prefer). Of course, your privacy will be respected and any information provided will be held in strict confidence.

As always, thank you for your advocacy of passenger trains and for supporting NARP’s and All Aboard Minnesota efforts in our common cause.

Content supplied by Narp

Please read the release from the National Association of Railroad Passengers, our national sister organization.  The US House has voted to dramatically cut Amtrak's funding, which could endanger trains like the Empire Builder - call your US House Rep today to voice your opposition!

House Appropriators Declare War on Trains

House Appropriators released a draft bill today that slashes Amtrak's budget by a third.  NARP responded immediately with a press release denouncing the proposal as unacceptable:

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 the very existence of Amtrak.  The bill also fails to include funding for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program.  Not only does the bill include no new funding for the highly over-subscribed TIGER grants—a competitive, multi-modal program where rail has competed well—it rescinds $237 million in previously appropriated FY 2013 TIGER funding that is not yet obligated.
The House proposal denies state and local leaders the resources they need to develop the modern transportation network necessary for mobility and economic growth. It comes as economic experts and the International Monetary Fund criticize the U.S. for plunging ahead with austerity even as low interest rates make borrowing for projects unusually affordable, America’s unemployment rate remains unacceptably high, and the need for transportation infrastructure investment is widely acknowledged.
The House committee’s bill has just $950 million for Amtrak, a 29% cut from the final 2013 number [$1,344 million]. This includes a $350 million operating grant (21% below the FY 2013 level), and $600 million in capital (33.5% below FY 2013).

Sincere thank you to all who stopped by our table on May 11 at National Train Day! We estimate we spoke with over 800 people. We truly enjoyed meeting and talking with all of you. Of course, we are truly heartened by your support for more intercity-city rail options, and that is what we are here for! Look for more information coming soon on our website and emails about our progress.

All Aboard Minnesota is a non-profit grass-roots organization dedicated to more and better passenger trains for the State of Minnesota and the surrounding region.