By Justin Franz May 7, 2021 at 5:00 a.m. PDT
There are faster ways for me to get to Portland, Ore., or Seattle from my home in Montana’s Flathead Valley, not far from Glacier National Park.
Alaska Airlines offers multiple flights a day to either city that can get me there in less time than it would take to watch the in-flight movie.
But if I have the time to spare, I will take Amtrak.
Source: Still on track at 50: Amtrak celebrates a half-century of operation – The Washington Post
Ben Jones, CNN • Published 1st May 2021
(CNN) — Created in 1971 from the creaking remains of the classic US railroads that helped build modern America, Amtrak has often lived a precarious existence.
Subject to the whims of politicians in Washington D.C. and constantly under pressure from the well-funded and hugely influential oil, automotive and airline industry lobbies, the national passenger rail operator has been threatened with oblivion on several occasions.
But as it celebrates a 50th anniversary that few would have been brave enough to predict, there are signs that Amtrak’s moment may finally have arrived. The United States remains firmly wedded to the automobile and the sheer size of the nation means that air travel is often the only option for long-distance journeys.
By Julia Eskins. February 17, 2021
Rumblings of a railway renaissance have been swirling recently, thanks to a growing interest in sustainable transportation.
And with new tracks being laid and upgraded trains to look forward to, post-pandemic travel could involve taking the scenic route more often.
More travelers are eyeing ways to not only make their future trips stress-free, but also more eco-conscious. Countries like Scotland and Spain have announced plans to roll out zero-emission hydrogen-powered trains.
The European Commission has dubbed 2021 the European Year of Rail, which aligns with their goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Even President Joe Biden, who earned the nickname Amtrak Joe for having famously commuted by train for decades as a senator, promised a “second rail revolution” on his campaign trail.
Source: 5 New Train Routes We’re Excited About | Condé Nast Traveler
By Joseph Spector Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, April 1, 2021
How about a train ride from Nashville, Tennessee, to Atlanta, Phoenix to Southern California, or Louisville, Kentucky, to Indianapolis?Amtrak late Wednesday released a proposed map of new and expanded service if it can land the $80 billion President Joe Biden proposed for the rail service as part of his American Jobs Plan, a massive $2 trillion plan to rebuild the nation’s aging infrastructure.Amtrak’s vision calls for bringing new intercity rail service to up to 160 previously unserved communities over the next 15 years, including 30 potential new routes and enhanced services with more daily trips on existing routes.
Source: Biden infrastructure plan: Amtrak vows new routes. Here’s where
By David Goldman, CNN Business
New York (CNN Business) – Two of North America’s largest railroad companies announced a merger Sunday that would connect freight customers to Canada, the United States and Mexico on a single network for the first time in history.
Canadian Pacific (CP) agreed to purchase Kansas City Southern (KSU) in a deal worth about $25 billion after discounting $3.8 billion of KCS debt that Canadian Pacific will take on.
It would combine two of the industry’s fastest-growing rail companies at a time when online purchases have soared, overwhelming ports and delaying shipments.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/21/investing/canadian-pacific-kansas-city-southern-merger/index.html
By Henry Grabar, March 15, 20213:28 PM
William J. Flynn took over as CEO of Amtrak at the worst possible time. It was April 2020—one month after the country locked down—and ridership on the quasi-public passenger rail network was down by 97 percent. Two recovery bills later, Amtrak’s finances have been shored up. Though business remains way down, vaccines are rolling out, and Flynn aims to double Amtrak’s pre-pandemic ridership in the next two decades. We spoke last week about what America’s interstate rail system could look like after COVID. We discussed major undertakings like the Gateway Project, the new tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey, which Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called the most important infrastructure project in the country. Flynn told me he does not pay attention to the astronomical cost of rail construction in the United States relative to peer countries. He also outlined his beef with freight railroads, explained why he welcomes private-sector competition, and showed me where he thinks Amtrak has room to grow after its 50th birthday next month. Our conservation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Source: https://slate.com/business/2021/03/amtrak-ceo-interview-trains-coronavirus.html
You must be logged in to post a comment.