HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-23 Correspondence - High Speed Rail Alliance - Update High Speed Rail `,13(27
Alliance
March 28, 2023
Cyndy Andrus
Mayor
City of Bozeman, MT
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Mayor Andrus,
This letter contains updates about Amtrak's long-distance, interregional train service.
Because you are a member of the High Speed Rail Alliance, and lead a community that
could benefit from improvements to this service, we would like to keep you up to date,
with information such as this:
i. Corridor ID process underway. If your city has already led the way by
applying for this year's round of funding from the Federal Railroad
Administration's Corridor Identification & Development Program (or if you
have become part of a joint application), thank you. If you have not yet done
this but would like to in the future, we anticipate that next year's round of
funding will have an application deadline in early 2024. Because the Corridor
ID Program is new, we hope to learn from this first round of applications and
to share and apply that insight as the process moves forward. For now, a
recording of our recent talk, "The Federal Process: How to Advance Your
Passenger Rail Project,"is available at hsrail.org/events for you or members of
your staff.
2. Amtrak needs new rolling stock—and a sense of urgency. Amtrak's
dwindling rolling stock—the engines and cars that passenger service depends
on—poses a serious threat to service for communities like yours.Already,the
law of supply and demand has pushed ticket prices higher. This is especially
true for sleeper cars, which now can cost well over $1,000 for an overnight trip.
Even at these prices, many trains sell out. We can bring prices down and make
this travel option more accessible and useful by simply adding cars,to provide
more seats and sleepers. Unfortunately, however,Amtrak currently plans to
take 10 years to renew and expand its fleet. Sparking a greater sense of urgency
will require pressure from Congress, and from leaders like you.
3. The FRA's long-distance study shows promise, but requires
engagement. A first round of meetings has taken place for input into the
Federal Railroad Administration's Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study
(fralongdistancerailstudy.org). The Alliance has participated in conversations
about this study. We believe that the direction the FRA is taking with this study
is encouraging. The results could guide much-needed investment in the
HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE
4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 1 HsRail.org
Amtrak lines that serve communities like yours. However, we need continued
engagement from leaders like you to bring this study to successful completion.
4. We expect tough negotiations over funding in this year's federal
budget. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021 provides critical
funding over a multi-year period. However, additional funding—and a sense of
urgency—will be needed from Congress to improve train service in
communities like yours. We expect a bruising fight in Congress this year. In
order for Amtrak to get what it needs to provide better interregional service, it
will be important for leaders like you to stay in touch with your representatives
in Congress.
Thank you for your work and leadership, and I hope you appreciate these updates.
I would also like to thank you for being a municipal member of the High Speed Rail
Alliance. As a member, you allow us to provide these updates to your community and
other similar communities across the country.
If you have any questions, please contact me at ricicC?hsratl.org or 773-334-6758•
Sincerely,
Rick Harnish
Executive Director