Happy 50th Birthday Amtrak!
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- Created: 01 May 2021 01 May 2021
On this date in 1971, the first Amtrak passenger train left New York City for Philadelphia. A national network eventually grew out of that beginning. The state-sponsored Amtrak services emerged, which included the Maine Downeaster in December of 2001. The Downeaster was the result of TrainRiders/Northeast's grass-routes advocacy.
Amtrak funding has been on a rollercoaster ride since its beginning - strong funding and then cutbacks. Today, under the administration of President Joe Biden, the proposals for new funding and new routes raise hopes of a new 'golden age' of passenger rail service in the US.
President Biden regularly commuted from his home in Wilmington, DE. to Capitol Hill for 30 years. His $2 Trillion 'American Jobs Plan,' now headed to Congress, allocates $80 Billion for passenger and freight rail. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn stated that if the proposed funding is approved, "Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times" as well as avoid "devastating consequences for our transportation network."
The president's remarks can be seen here (starting at 1:00:17) along with selected remarks from Chairman Wayne Davis. (go to 1:18:03 ).
Watch Chairman Davis's full remarks for the Amtrak 50th!
Here's to another 50 years!
Downeaster to Return to Pre-Covid Schedule on May 3rd - Plus Other Amtrak News
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- Created: 06 April 2021 06 April 2021
'Back to Normal' as the Downeaster returns to five roundtrips in May
- According to NNEPRA's Patricia Quinn, the Downeaster will return its 5th roundtrip train to the timetable on May 3rd. This will restore the 5-daily roundtrip service to its pre-Covid schedule.
More details from Maine Biz.
NNEPRA Press Release
New Schedule (May 3rd) - Amtrak will end the 50% limit on seat sales on May 24th. The Downeaster is planning to end the limit on May 3rd.
- NNEPRA Executive Director Patricia Quinn has been awarded the prestigious 'Vincent R. Terrill 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award' from the New England Railroad Club for her "exemplary commitment to passenger rail service in New England and beyond throughout her career." You can read the impressive press release here.
- Amtrak has placed an extension to Rockland from Brunswick on their 'dream map.' The graphic showed other proposed expansions of Amtrak service throughout various states. NNEPRA, MEDOT, our state delegation in DC and local authorities along the proposed route are assessing the inclusion of Rockland in Amtrak's plans. NNEPRA had pushed for an extension to Rockland in 2017, but it was for naught at that time. As the Bangor Daily News reports, "Amtrak could permanently extend Maine’s Downeaster line up the coast to Rockland among 30 new routes possible under President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan, officials said." More here. A proposed extension of passenger rail service to Bangor was not included in Amtrak's plans. Here's a story on the disappointment in Central Maine.
- President Biden's $2 Trillion 'American Jobs Plan' now headed to Congress allocates $80 Billion for passenger and freight rail. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn states that if the proposed funding is approved, "Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times" as well as avoid "devastating consequences for our transportation network..." Full statement here.
TrainRiders/NE's Virtual Annual Meeting Held on March 25th - View the Video
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- Created: 01 March 2021 01 March 2021
On March 25th at 2 p.m., our 33rd Annual Meeting was called to order. It was not in a hotel ballroom but on the Internet as a Zoom Webinar.
You heard from Chairman Wayne Davis and former Vice-Chair Andy Hyland about our new proposal for a simplified trip from any Downeaster station to New York City's revitalized Penn Station (Moynihan Train Hall). At North Station, you would cross the platform to an awaiting Amtrak southbound train, thus eliminating the frequently challenging and time-consuming subway commute to South Station or the costly taxi ride. Of course, the trip to Maine, New Hampshire & Massachusetts from the Big Apple would be equally accommodating.
You also heard from our guest presenters and were able to ask them questions thanks to Bruce Sleeper's tireless monitoring of the chat channel.
Our speakers:
- Patricia Quinn - Executive Director of NNEPRA
- Eugene Skoropowski, best known for his Florida Brightline passenger rail accomplishment. (PowerPoint file)
- Ross Capon - President Emeritus of the National Association of Rail Passengers (now RPA) (PowerPoint file)
- Andy Hyland - Former Vice-Chair of TrainRiders/Northeast presents our New England States Amtrak connection at North Station (PowerPoint file)
The video of the Webinar has been split into two sections for easier viewing.
Section 1 features our panelists: Patricia Quinn, Gene Skoropowski, Ross Capon, along with Senators Susan Collins, Angus King and Representative Chellie Pingree. Go here.
Section 2 details our New England States proposal, eliminating the frequently awkward journey between North and South Stations for those wishing to continue on to New York City. You'll hear assessments of the proposal from town and station leaders and then join Wayne Davis for an in-person tour of the new Moynihan Train Hall in NYC. Go here.