While the idea of wraps on trains/buses can be a controversial topic, this is a pretty clever way to integrate a sponsor for the limited use during the World Cup matches in NJ https://twp.ai/E5D1OL

Our friends at "New York by Rail" have declared the Empire State as the best place to travel by train. Are they right on the money, or has a guantlet been thrown down? Let us know in the comments...

The Missouri Department of Transportation worked to increase the capacity on the River Runner by 25% for the World Cup - and they need even more to meet the demand.

The Big Boy locomotive celebration in Scranton, Penn., at the Steamtown National Historic Site, over the weekend brought together people from all walks of life to see the massive engine, including a very interesting "vintage" postcard. https://twp.ai/E5CxtK

While 2030 isn't that far off in the grand scheme (but WHY does it take us so long to get things done!), could this be the start of a greater network in the Upper Midwest?

Practice for Architecture and Urbanism, the lead design architect for Penn Transformation Partners, has released the clearest picture of the future of the "busiest transportation hub in the Western Hemisphere" with a series of before/after slides. https://twp.ai/E5D1PY

The gas price crunch is still pushing more people to various modes of public transit

Going to any of the matches over the next month? Taking the train to get there? Let us know your story!

In which we pose the question: "Will this deal make it harder to build the passenger rail network Congress is already paying to plan?” https://twp.ai/E5CqPb

It’s a slow week on the Hill, but we have you covered with a look at USDOT’s updated plans for NY Penn Station, plus we pose a question on how the UPNS deal would affect planned expansion for passenger rail. All that and more! See you on board! https://twp.ai/E5ChZ7

In case you missed the news earlier this week, we have you covered with notes on the federal vision, the state/local take, and what it means for commuters.

Purchased in 2016 for just $350k (a steal when you factor in the history of the building) by Dustin Anzures and Veronica Sanchez, the 120-year-old Grand Junction (CO) Union Station is moving closer to a second life.

Sorry... lost you... going through a tunnel... https://twp.ai/E5Ct3J

Vancouver's Pacific Central Station now has the preclearance designation that allows for quicker entry for those traveling south into the United States - the first of its kind in North America.

After renderings were leaked online last week, the USDOT has made it official by releasing the future NY Penn Station images through the new Penn Transformation website.

Officials from Genesee Valley Transportation are enforcing a “zero tolerance” safety policy for visitors of the Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 locomotive while it's on display until the end of the month.

Flex your noggin' https://twp.ai/E5Cw0w

More than 70% of voters in Marin and Sonoma counties (CA) have approved an extenstion of the sales tax that currently funds the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit system, which will now run for an addtional 33 years.

Meanwhile, our neighbors to the north are looking to copy a high-speed & regional model that is seen in many places around the world. https://twp.ai/E5CjaD

With two tunnel fires happening in the last few weeks, both passengers and officials have the right to be a tiny bit on edge when the World Cup matches start in the NY/NJ area this coming Saturday.

While "very minimal damage" was done to the 120-year-old Susquehanna River Bridge in Maryland over the weekend, trains were running a couple of hours behind schedule over the weekend. https://twp.ai/E5CjYI

It's not just the number of passengers flocking to the service that should be celebrated, but also the incredible satisfaction scores for the service and the crew.

As part of their ongoing "250 Years of America" series, DC's WTOP News takes a look at the creation of Amtrak as one of the pivotal moments in our country's history.

Thursday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on what it calls “Family Friendly Transit.” There’s a 60-day comment period and yes, we’re planning to offer our thoughts. https://twp.ai/E5CYKK

While it took the biggest sporting event in the world coming to the States for it to get done, but passengers on the MBTA's Franklin/Foxboro line will have a brand new station to enjoy.

It's that time of the week! Happy #HotlineFriday! THUD moves its FY27 funding bill to the full House for a vote, the FTA tries to define "Family Friendly Transit", and we welcome our 2026 summer interns. Plus all the usual from around the country. https://twp.ai/E5CYW3

Two new studies from the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee show that intercity passenger rail between Austin and San Antonio is feasible, with options including a new 125mph corridor along SH-130/I-10 or expanding service on UP tracks. https://twp.ai/E5CYsS

After the news last week that the USDOT and Amtrak had picked Penn Transformation Partners as the "master developer", now renderings of the more classical station plans have leaked.

The Surface Transportation Board is adding a new level of transparency to its website to help the public better understand the Board's process.

The fate of the Heartland Flyer was discussed by officials and advocates during yesterday's Oklahoma DOT public meeting on the state rail plan.

Starting next Thursday (June 11th), all passengers will be required to have a reserved ticket and additional evening service will be added. The changes will run til the end of the World Cup in July.

The road to the September 1st switchover from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) has begun with the 0.25% RTA sales tax increase across 6 counties.

The ribbon-cutting "reopening" celebration for the updated Mt. Pleasant (IA) station took place last week.

Happy #WorldBicycle Day! Imagine seamlessly transitioning from a bike ride to the train platform thanks to safe cycling paths connected to stations. Let's work together to build a world where cars are optional!

Our latest trio represents a diverse cross-section of America, united by a shared goal: learning how to protect, preserve, and expand the nation’s passenger rail network while building their future careers in law and public service. https://twp.ai/E5Cd2j

The first of the NEC-bound Airo sets has left "the nest" in Sacramento for testing at the Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado

Maybe, just maybe, the price point was a little high?

The $771M contract, the 7th awarded so far for the Gateway Program, will help eliminate a major bottleneck leading into the Hudson River Tunnels as well as update tracks, signals, etc. https://twp.ai/E5CgUV

LA Metro is making it easy for people to make it to the polls for today's primary election.

The Oklahoma DOT is hosting a virtual meeting tomorrow (June 3rd) to present the initial summary of the 2026 State Rail Plan. This is the 2nd and final public meeting before the plan is finalized and published. For more info: https://twp.ai/E5BKj7

ICYM the press conference update from the MTA on the fire that shut down rail traffic in and out of Penn Station on Friday.

An amendment that aims to enhance Amtrak's eminent domain powers and develop a new revenue stream was introduced during the BUILD America 250 markup, but has stirred up opposition from a longtime Amtrak supporter in Congress. Read more:

Fresh journey. Stronger passengers. New direction. Last chance to lock in the $99 rate for RailNation. Join us for one of the biggest advocacy events of the year. https://twp.ai/E5BRuW

Catch ESPN's docuseries "Last Train to North America" as soccer reporter and commentator Martin Ainstein takes a cross-continental rail journey through the US, Mexico, and Canada ahead of the World Cup.

Major cuts in the THUD FY27 spending bill, STB accepts UP/NS' revised application, controversy brewing over an eminent domain amendment, and don't believe everything you read online (except when we write it, amirite?) + all the latest! #HotlineFriday https://twp.ai/E5BHDr

Slapping a "transit-first" label on a project doesn't work if thousands of people are forced into a single choke point.

Taking your bike around "The Nutmeg State"? Read up on the different rules for the various public transportation modes.

Soccer fans from across the globe are about to trade their high-speed, reliable transit for the US’s struggling infrastructure. Will the upcoming World Cup be the ultimate wakeup call for American transit, or just a massive logistical nightmare?

While the DART system is currently seeing issues arising from some of the cities it serves, Trinity Metro's TEXRail is about to break ground on a 2.1-mile extension https://twp.ai/E5BIVq

Now that the worker strike is in the rearview, we can get to the heart of more important issues - how do you refer to the Long Island Rail Road?