What's your favorite Amtrak route to go leaf peeping?

Calling all stamp collectors and fans of international rail…

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Hosted with Metro Art and Leaving Records, the event featured DJs, giveaways, and even mock boarding passes for future high-speed rail. Plus, Metro’s A-Line extension to Pomona officially opened, complete with free rides all weekend.

Breaking down what a shutdown means for passengers, FRA issues $5B notice for a rebranded Fed-State program, tracking a number of stories coming out of the Hill, plus headlines from around the country (and across the pond). Happy #HotlineFriday www.railpassengers.o...

No lack of beautiful colors during fall in the Northeast.

While it still needs to be ratified (ballots are due in early October), the deal could mean a 3.5% pay increase for the nearly 100 BLET members who work on Metra's UP lines.

Amtrak trains, six Cascades & two Starlight service, will be affected by working being done on the Periwinkle Creek Bridge in Albany, OR

The current Brookwood Station, Atlanta’s last remaining passenger rail station, built in 1918, faces challenges including limited space, poor transit connections, and ADA non-compliance.

Chicago's Metra commuter rail is testing out a new cafe car concept and is looking for rider feedback. More information: metra.com/CafeCar

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has scaled back its next rail car order, approving just six new cars instead of the originally planned ten - as the agency navigates potential cost increases tied to federal tariffs.

The City of Tyler, TX, whose metro area is home to nearly 250k people and climbing, has commissioned a feasibility study and is actively seeking community input through surveys and virtual town halls.

Any golf fans heading to the Ryder Cup (Go USA!) this weekend? The LIRR has you covered.

The state-of-the-art, dual-mode engines, built in the US. reduce airborne pollutants by 85% and deliver 1,000 more horsepower than the previous MTA fleet.

Along with a second daily Amtrak Pennsylvanian round trip between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, the plan also tackles key issues like freight interference, on-time performance, and long-term service viability. Public comments are open through October 24.

The Amtrak Board has a new member

30 years after New York's MTA launched their first fare card, NJ Transit is joining the modern era

It's the hard-knock life for us!

A depressing look at Amtrak OTP and CAHSR secures a state funding source. Plus all the rest from around the lower 48. Happy #HotlineFriday www.railpassengers.o...

This phase involves over 4,000 individual tests to ensure the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the 14.5-mile light rail line connecting Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.

Nebraska State Sen. Margo Juarez is leading an initiative to revitalize passenger rail service across Nebraska, beginning with Legislative Resolution 203, which proposes an interim study on rail infrastructure - the state's first in nearly 20 years.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will officially open its 26-mile Silver Line commuter rail on October 25, connecting Plano to DFW Airport through seven cities including Richardson, Addison, Carrollton, Dallas, Coppell, and Grapevine.

Ohio's long planned 3C+D corridor alone could serve nearly 57% of Ohio’s population, offering transformative potential for both urban and rural communities.

Passengers rail wear at the New York Fashion Week? You better werk,

The effort, part of See Tracks? Think Train! Week, aims to raise further awareness about the dangers of trespassing on railroad tracks and ignoring crossing signals. Last year alone, over 2,300 people were injured or killed in rail-related incidents.

Like so many routes around the country, Amtrak's Hiawatha between Milwaukee and Chicago isn’t just a train - it’s a lifeline for students, workers, families, and everyday travelers.

Last week we shared the story of Amtrak adding another coach to the Mardi Gras for select weekends to get people to and from Saints home games in NOLA - now we have some numbers to back that up.

Swiss built ZEMU, North America's first zero-emissions hydrogen train, is now rolling on a 9-mile route between San Bernardino & Redlands.

Athletes, just like millions of us around the country, take public transit to work.

Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews was recently on NPR to discuss the FRA's Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) and how it was stalled by the Class 1s. www.npr.org/2025/09/...

UPDATE: By asking the Trump Administration to intervene in the stalled contract talks, the potential LIRR work strike (which would have happened starting this coming Thursday) is off the table… for now.

A very realist take on what passengers are in for if Long Island Rail Road workers go on strike this coming Thursday.

Despite Gov. Evers’ request for over $15M to support passenger rail and related services, the legislature allocated zero new funding in the 2025-27 budget and the contract between the state and bus provider could not be renewed.

Akron-Canton is Ohio’s 4th largest metro - but left off the state’s 2025 Rail Plan. Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) is fighting to change that. “We deserve a seat on the train.”

Last change to join us in the Alamo City! Get your tickets today, www.railpassengers.o...

Liability insurance makes an impact on rail, our CEO cops to being wrong on the NS settlement (its a good thing!), our VP of Policy travels to the Big Sky, & there is "pop-up" transit in Oshkosh. This will all make sense in the end. Happy #HotlineFriday www.railpassengers.o...

Architect Jerel McCants is leading a powerful transformation of Tampa’s Union Station - a $6M restoration project that’s not just about preserving history, but confronting it.

Amtrak's Mardi Gras service is already proving to be quite popular with the "Who Dat?" crowd on the Gulf Coast.

In an op-ed for El Diario, Queens resident Samuel Santaella shares a deeply personal account of how high commuter rail fares keep working-class New Yorkers from accessing faster, more reliable transit. 1/2

One of our shirts is seen in the link photo www.railpassengers.org/store

NJ Transit has added direct access to Met Life this season for Giants & Jets fan (or fans of the opposing teams looking to celebrate an easy win) wobm.com/ixp/385/p/me...

LA Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak, and rail fans of all ages are getting together for a celebration on September 20th at Los Angeles Union Station. For more details:

"When Norfolk Southern and the U.S. Justice Dept. filed their settlement motion in Federal court yesterday, I was deeply skeptical that it would be good news for passengers. I was wrong. And I could not be happier." Read Jim Mathews' Blog: www.railpassengers.org/happening-no...

ICYMI: While this is a temporary fix, SEPTA's service cuts will be reversed in full by the end of the weekend (Sept 14th).

Most people don’t spend much time thinking about liability insurance. It’s not glamorous, it’s not about shiny new trains or exciting new routes. 1/2

Starting this past weekend, all modes of public transit around "The Hub" will be free from 9pm til the end of service - while extending hours on the subway and select bus routes. More information via WCVB Channel 5 Boston:

Over 300 trucks brought in 3,400 cubic yards of sand during an "important initial deposit" to help reinforce the San Clemente shoreline. By next summer, 540k cubic yards (or about 50k dump trucks worth) will be used for this $310M restoration project.

No train service between Chicago and Pontiac or Port Huron from 9/15-19. Limited charter bus service will be available for select Wolverine and Blue Water routes while over-the-track coaling towers, which haven't been used in 70 years, are taken down.

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ICYMI: Officially announcing two of our speakers who will be joining us in San Antonio next month: Amtrak President Roger Harris and Valley Regional Transit (Boise, ID) CEO & Amtrak Board Director Elaine Clegg More to come! Will you be there? Info: www.railpassengers.o...