Happening Now
MEDIA ADVISORY: Gulf Coast Rail Restoration Briefing in Mobile
July 11, 2019
Rail Passengers Association To Take Part in Hearing on Returning Trains to Gulf Coast
For Immediate Release (19-11)
Contact: Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001
Who: Southern Rail Commission, Rail Passengers Association, Amtrak
What: Briefing on Mobile to New Orleans Regional Passenger Rail Service Friday July 12th, 2019
When: 9am–12pm
Where: Mobile, Alabama | Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, Room 202 AB
Mobile, AL—The Rail Passengers Association will take part in a July 12th briefing on restoring Gulf Coast regional passenger rail service between Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana. The briefing, hosted in Mobile by the Southern Rail Commission, will also present information on recently awarded federal rail grants associated with this proposed service.
Rail Passengers President Jim Mathews will be on hand to talk about success stories in state-supported rail services. Mathews will highlight the return on investment experienced by rail-served communities, looking at the direct and indirect benefits experienced by local businesses and regional economies.
The briefing, provided primarily for Alabama officials, will provide facts, details, methods, and professionally-assessed considerations on needs, impacts, costs, and benefits of bringing daily intercity passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans.
The agenda will include presentations from Amtrak, Rail Passengers Association, Transportation for America, and the Southern Rail Commission. Topics will include:
- Amtrak service summary for Mobile to New Orleans
- Economic benefits
- Examples of success – case studies of select existing passenger services
- Federal Rail Grants summary regarding infrastructure and operations
- Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program (CRISI) Grant Application in support of needed infrastructure improvements
- Restoration & Enhancements (R&E) grant program which provides federal support for the initial three years of regional train service
Ample time will be available for detailed discussions, questions, and answers.
Members of the media will be provided a focused time for Q&A following the briefing.
For more information, contact:
Wiley Blankenship | Southern Rail Commission - (251) 436-8822 - [email protected]
Bob Brady | Xenophon Strategies - (202) 289-4001
"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."
Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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