NARP To Hold Council Meeting on Rail Reform Bill

NARP will hold a town hall-style conference call with Council Members on Wednesday July 22 at 9:00 p.m. EDT, to discuss efforts to get a better version of S.1626, the passenger rail reauthorization bill. The staff have created summary documents on S. 1626 that members should read before the conference call. The phone number is 302-202-1104; the passcode is: 665159.

In order to keep the call to one hour, NARP is asking Council Members to email their questions in advance to Communications Director Benet Wilson by noon EDT on July 22 so they can be addressed on the conference call.

Here is the agenda:

Welcome: NARP President and CEO Jim Mathews

Where are we in the Legislative Process: NARP Council Member Chuck Riecks

Particulars of S 1626: John Robert Smith, chairman, Transportation 4 America

What we are asking attendees to do: Riecks

Answer member questions: Team

Summary: Mathews

After the call, Council Members will have what they need to contact mayors, city councils, Chambers of Commerce and civic organizations and get their support for the measure. The window to secure endorsement from your mayors, council members, chambers of commerce, and other local organizations to the National Passenger Rail Sign-on Letter is running out. Remember, an authorized representative of the organization, company, government or other affiliation must use this link to sign on to the national letter.

NARP has put together a list of links, below, with all the resources you will need to explain the merits of the Railroad Reform, Enhancement and Efficiency Act (S. 1626), and the benefits of investment in frequent, reliable passenger train service.

• Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act of 2015 (S.1626)
• Long Distance Trains: A Foundation for National Mobility
• $52 Billion Needed to Bring the Northeast Corridor to a State-of-Good-Repair
• The Benefits of Passenger Trains: Growing America’s Economy
• Passenger Trains: An Energy and Climate Solution
• The United States of Underinvestment: A Map of Unfunded Train Projects in America
• United States of Underinvestment: Select List of Projects

To better chart the progress of individual Council Representatives, NARP has also put together a tracking form that we would like Council Members to fill out upon securing the endorsement of an organization/official. You can use this link to track our progress, as a group.

This effort is a positive step in providing the predictable, sufficient levels of investment that the states and Amtrak need to build the modern rail system American workers and businesses will need to compete in a 21st century global economy, and we thank you in advance for your support.