HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-25 Correspondence - High Speed Rail Alliance - Replacing and Expanding Amtrak's Long-distance Fleet is Urgent -a High Speed Rail
Alliance
November 18, 2025
Terry Cunningham
Mayor
City of Bozeman, MT
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear Mayor Cunningham,
Replacing and expanding Amtrak's long-distance fleet is urgent.
The fleet is ancient. Most of the coaches, sleepers, and diners range from 30 to 50 years
old. And, the fleet is much too small, with trains selling out- often months in advance.
Placing an order ASAP is essential to maintaining this vital service. Funding is available
to buy new trains, but the Federal Railroad Administration has not approved the order.
Will you join us as a municipal member as we work to get Amtrak and the FRA to move
more quickly?
Long-distance trains are a cost-effective way to connect hundreds of cities and towns.
Passengers get on and off the train all along the route, some riding for just a stop or two,
some traveling for thousands of miles. Riders who pay a premium for private rooms
help subsidize the train, malting it affordable for the short-distance riders.
But, the service cannot run for much longer without new coaches, sleepers, and diners.
Amtrak has active procurements underway to replace it oldest cars,but the process is
moving too slowly. We need to raise the pressure on the FRA to move quickly and direct
Amtrak to place an order big enough to double the number of seats per train.
The Alliance is working to build awareness of this urgent issue and collecting letters of
support at HSRail.org/long-distance-action.
Will you help make this effort a success by becoming a municipal member today?A
membership form is enclosed for your consideration. Please contact me at
Rick@HSRail.org,or 773-334-6758 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Rick Harnish, Executive Director
HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE
4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 1 HSRail.org