Rail Industry Leaders: Don't Forget Amtrak + Transit

For Immediate Release (20-10)

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail (202) 320-2723; [email protected]

Washington, D.C. -- The Rail Passengers Association joined with Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM), Railway Supply Institute (RSI), Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET-Teamsters) and SMART - Transportation Division to remind U.S. House leadership that as they work on a stimulus package for the airline industry, they must not forget about other, essential pieces of America’s national intercity transportation network: Amtrak and public transit systems.

"Amtrak employs roughly 17,500 people and serves over 500 communities—not just big cities but small towns with few transportation alternatives," stated the coalition in the letter to House Democratic leadership. "A recent Rail Passengers economic analysis found that Amtrak’s long-distance network alone generates $4.8 billion in economic benefits to the U.S., which are widely distributed throughout America’s heartland. And that does not even include additional billions generated by the State-supported trains or our nation’s economic aorta, the Northeast Corridor."

"Moreover, public transit is an essential daily service for everyday Americans, with New York’s MTA carrying more passengers each day than all U.S. airlines combined," continued the letter. "Both these essential systems will collapse without congressional intervention, and we urge you to include the funding and service protections for passenger rail and transit which were included in H.R. 925."

This coalition represents 40 million rail passengers in the U.S., 17,500 Amtrak workers, thousands of Commuter and Transit employees, and close to 125,000 railway suppliers. The full letter is included below.

About Rail Passengers Association

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays in towns all across America.

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The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515	The Honorable Peter DeFazio Chairman House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Nita Lowey Chairwoman House Committee on Appropriations Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker, Chairwoman Lowey, and Chairman DeFazio:

As leaders of groups representing 40 million rail passengers in the U.S., 17,500 Amtrak workers, thousands of Commuter and Transit employees, and close to 125,000 railway suppliers, we are writing to remind Congress not to forget about the other pieces of America’s national intercity transportation network: Amtrak and public transit systems.

Airlines undoubtedly play an important role in our nation’s transportation network and economy, and our members support your efforts to shore up airlines and air travel. However, airlines are not the only part of our nation’s transportation system, nor are they the only transportation modes in need of significant financial assistance. October 1st marked the beginning of drastic service reductions for Amtrak and thousands of furloughs for its workforce, while many of our nation’s transit systems are in varying states of financial duress.

Amtrak employs roughly 17,500 people and serves over 500 communities— not just big cities but small towns with few transportation alternatives. A recent Rail Passengers economic analysis found that Amtrak’s long-distance network alone generates $4.8 billion in economic benefits to the U.S., which are widely distributed throughout America’s heartland. And that does not even include additional billions generated by the State-supported trains or our nation’s economic aorta, the Northeast Corridor.

Moreover, public transit is an essential daily service for everyday Americans, with New York’s MTA carrying more passengers each day than all U.S. airlines combined. Both these essential systems will collapse without congressional intervention, and we urge you to include the funding and service protections for passenger rail and transit which were included in H.R. 925.

Finally, ensuring that the federal government includes aid to public transportation and Amtrak to help offset the substantial costs and lost revenues related to COVID-19, is critical to maintaining the manufacturing and supply chain and ensure the continuation of essential maintenance, repair and equipment refurbishment or acquisitions. Most importantly, this action will help limit the enormous economic damage caused by the pandemic.

As we write this, thousands of workers at Amtrak are already being furloughed, transit systems are on the brink of financial ruin, drastic service cuts are being exacted upon the public, and the domestic rail supply manufacturing chain is being eroded. We therefore urge you to include Amtrak and transit as part and parcel of a national intercity transportation aid package.

We remain grateful for your continued support for railroaders, their families, the riding public, and the countless jobs that rely on a functioning transportation network.

With Best Wishes,