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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-25 Correspondence - R. Harnish - High Speed Rail Alliance High Speed Rail Alliance September 9,2025 Terry Cunningham Mayor City of Bozeman, MT 121 N Rouse Ave Bozeman, MT 59715 Dear Mayor Cunningham, I am reaching out to raise a pressing concern regarding Amtrak's long-distance service to your city. As it stands,orders to replace Amtrak's aging fleet of single-and bi-level cars remain unplaced. Amtrak has delayed in selecting a manufacturer to replace their Superliner fleet until sometime in 2026. There is some good news, however: Amtrak has since expedited the procurement process to upgrade their single- level rolling stock. Recent issues such as the withdrawal of the entire Horizon fleet of coaches make these orders of the utmost importance. These equipment shortages continue to get in the way of ridership and place these routes at serious operational risk. New trainsets are an urgent necessity to the vitality of your city and other communities connected by Amtrak's long-distance network. Your voice is crucial in securing swift action to protect this 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 afforda ble 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. Thank you for your leadership and your attention to this vital matter. Best regards, Richard Harnish Executive Director HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE 4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 I 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 You can download a MS Word version of the letter at: HSRail.or•g/long-distance-action 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.