HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-25 Correspondence - High Speed Rail Alliance - Amtrak's Long-Distance Service to your city High Speed Rail
Alliance
July 7, 2025
Tent' Cunningham
Mayor
City of Bozeman, MT
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Mayor Cunningham,
I'm writing to raise a pressing concern regarding Amtrak's long-distance service to your city.
Despite Congress authorizing substantial funding through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act(IIJA)to replace Amtrak's aging long-distance fleet, no order has yet been placed. This delay,paired
with worsening equipment shortages and the retirement of damaged or outdated cars, places these
essential routes at serious risk.
Recent issues—such as corrosion sidelining the entire Horizon car fleet—underscore the urgency of
replacing the Am fleet and Superliner cars. Your voice is crucial in securing swift action to protect this
national service.
Long-distance trains are a cost-effective way to connect hundreds of cities and towns. Passengers get on
and off the train all along its route, some riding for just a stop or two, some going the entire distance from
the Midwest to the coasts. Riders who pay a premium for private rooms help subsidize the train, making
rural transportation affordable for the short-distance riders. These trains offer vital, affordable mobility—
especially in rural areas—and foster tourism and economic opportunity in the cities they serve.
We respectfully ask you to work with your congressional delegation to:
A) Urge Amtrak to expedite fleet procurement, and
B) Ensure federal funding for new rolling stock remains intact.
We are also circulating a sign-on letter asking US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to help expedite
the procurement.A draft is attached; to add your name, please send a signed PDF on your letterhead to
info@HSRail.org.
Dan Bilka of All Aboard Northwest will follow up with additional information.
Thank you for your leadership and your attention to this vital matter.
Best regards,
Richard Harnish
Executive Director
PS: You can download a MS Word version of the letter at: HSRail.org/long-distance-action
HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE
4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 1 HSRail.org
Sample Letter: Please put this letter on your letterhead. You can download a MS Word version at
HSRail.org/long-distance-action. Then, send a hard copy to Sec. Duffy and a pdf copy to info@hsrail.org
The Honorable Sean Duffy
Secretary
US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
Secretary Duffy,
Thank you for your steadfast commitment to expanding and modernizing America's passenger rail
network.
I urge you to work closely with Amtrak to expedite the procurement of new coaches and sleepers for the
long-distance network—beginning with replacements for the aging Superliner equipment serving routes
in the western United States.The current fleet is insufficient to meet passenger demand and continues to
shrink as equipment reaches the end of its service life or is sidelined by accidents.As a result, thousands
of travelers are turned away each year due to lack of capacity.
This issue is not new—replacement orders should have been initiated years ago.The recent discovery of
advanced corrosion in Horizon cars, which led to their complete withdrawal from service, underscores the
growing vulnerability of Amtrak's equipment base and serves as a clear warning signal.
Amtrak's long-distance trains are indispensable to national mobility. They serve as critical lifelines to
rural communities while connecting metropolitan centers, providing convenient single-seat rides across
numerous city pairs. These services offer unparalleled efficiency and access, especially for working-class
Americans.
To ensure long-distance service is preserved and strengthened,the new fleet should incorporate proven
designs, emphasize durability and reliability, and leverage the existing American supply chain wherever
possible. Simplicity and functionality should guide interior design, with a focus on the needs of everyday
travelers.
We also urge you to collaborate with Congress to secure the necessary funding for timely deployment of
new trainsets, coupled with strong oversight and accountability measures.Accelerating these investments
will provide a safer, modern onboard experience, on equipment built, operated, and maintained by
American workers. It is essential for the long-term viability of these rail services that Congress continue
to support these investments in our domestic manufacturing industry and the associated supply chain.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter, and for your continued leadership in shaping a more
connected nation.