67 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Business Insider, 4/1/21
 

Amtrak releases map of expanded US rail network it says it can build with $80 billion from Biden's infrastructure plan

 

The new map made by Amtrak.

• Amtrak has released a map of a proposed expanded US rail network.
• It says it could be built with $80 billion from President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan.
• The company said the new network could expand or improve service for about 20 million people.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

Amtrak has released a map of an expanded US rail network that it says it can build with $80 billion from President Joe Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure plan.

 

The light-blue lines represent what would be new services, while the orange lines show services that would be extended.

 

Amtrak said it could create more than 30 new routes and connect 160 new communities, and expand or improve rail service for some 20 million people.

 

Continue here.

 

Note the dark blue 'dashed line' from Mobile to Jacksonville.

[CNJRoss]

Amtrak news release

 

March 31, 2021

 

Statement from Amtrak CEO on President Biden’s American Jobs Plan

 

 

 

This afternoon, President Biden released his American Jobs Plan, including plans for infrastructure investment, economic recovery, climate change, and social equity, and $80 billion designated specifically for rail.

 

Amtrak’s vision to grow rail service and connect new city pairs across America rises to the urgent challenges of our time, and will provide new and improved train service to millions of additional passengers. Additionally, the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a critical transportation link for the Northeast’s major metropolitan economies, has dozens of bridges, stations and tunnels that are beyond their design life and in need of immediate replacement or rehabilitation.

 

If Congress provides the funding proposed in the President’s plan, Amtrak would be able to bring the NEC to a state of good repair and improve trip times, and would also expand Amtrak to underserved communities across the nation.  This would create jobs, improve the quality of life, reduce carbon emissions and generate economic growth.  

 

From Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn: “President Biden’s infrastructure plan is what this nation has been waiting for. Amtrak must rebuild and improve the Northeast Corridor and our National Network and expand our service to more of America. The NEC’s many major tunnels and bridges – most of which are over a century old – must be replaced and upgraded to avoid devastating consequences for our transportation network and the country. In addition, Amtrak has a bold vision to bring energy-efficient, world-class intercity rail service to up to 160 new communities across the nation, as we also invest in our fleet and stations across the U.S.  With this federal investment, Amtrak will create jobs and improve equity across cities, regions, and the entire country – and we are ready to deliver.  America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service. Now is our time, let’s make rail the solution.”

 

[CNJRoss]

Argus (SD) Leader, 4/1/21
 

South Dakota Twitter goes off the rails over Amtrak rail proposal

 

 

When Amtrak revealed potential expansion plans for rail lines, 47 of 48 contiguous states rejoiced.

 

The one that didn't? South Dakota.

 

SNIP

 

Gov. Kristi Noem, who's openly voiced her opinions against Biden's infrastructure plan, took her outrage online.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

The Hill  'Changing America'  4/1/21
 

New Amtrak map shows US rail network it can build with Biden's infrastructure plan

 

President Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes $80 billion for rail.

 

 

Story at a glance

• Amtrak said it could create more than 30 new routes, ramp up more trips and connect 160 new communities and serve 20 million more passengers.
• The map shows cities that could have access to new routes that are currently unserved, including Las Vegas, Nashville, Columbus and Phoenix.
• “President Biden’s infrastructure plan is what this nation has been waiting for,” Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said in a statement.

Amtrak has released a map detailing how its rail service could be expanded and improved across the country following President Biden’s infrastructure proposal that includes $80 billion for rail. 

 

The railroad company on Wednesday released a “Amtrak Connects US” fact sheet and map that shows existing routes and lays out where new service lines could be added over the next 15 years with the funding.

 

According to the release, Amtrak said it could create more than 30 new routes, enhance more than 20 existing routes and connect 160 new communities. Amtrak said it could serve 20 million more passengers than the 32 million served in 2019. 

 

The map shows cities that could have access to new routes that are currently unserved including Las Vegas, Nashville, Columbus and Phoenix.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

The Boston Globe, 4/4/21
 

 

Along the Northeast Corridor and beyond, what can Amtrak buy with $80 billion?

 

 

Given President Biden’s storied affair with Amtrak, it stood to reason his administration’s first major infrastructure proposal would include big money for the nation’s passenger rail system. And, indeed, the president wants to inject $80 billion into the network, a potential boon for rail transit across the country — including in Boston, the crown city at the northern end of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

 

So what’s on the docket? Could we finally see world-class high-speed rail? Maybe trips to New York at much lower fares? Or how about building that North-South Rail Link, to let trains continue past South Station to points beyond?

 

Not so fast, experts caution. While the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. — by far Amtrak’s most popular and successful service — would undoubtedly benefit from the infrastructure plan, it probably wouldn’t be elevated to the stuff of science fiction.  . . .

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

AP via WJCL Savannah, GA  4/5/21
 

Savannah to Atlanta, Nashville? Amtrak announces plans to create 30 new train routes

 

The routes are among several nationwide proposed by Amtrak after President Joe Biden announced his sweeping plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.

 

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Amtrak says a new route in its long-range plans would connect Savannah, Georgia to Nashville, Tennessee and stop in Atlanta.

 

Amtrak’s proposed new routes also include one that would connect Montgomery, Alabama, to Atlanta.

 

The routes are among several nationwide proposed by Amtrak after President Joe Biden announced his sweeping plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

New York Post, 4/8/21
 

Amtrak Joe’s favorite rail line will blow your cash on wildly pricey repairs

 

 

President Biden’s lavish infrastructure plan promises to give $80 billion to improving long-distance rail, almost all of it going to Amtrak — the mode of transport beloved by, well, “Amtrak Joe.” Amtrak released a plan for what it wants to do with the money: A fact sheet that the rail service posted on its Web site, for a project called Amtrak Connects US, shows several new or improved routes crisscrossing the nation.

 

Amtrak’s route expansion plans are at once strikingly unambitious and dogged by its famous inefficiencies.

 

Amtrak plans to add routes connecting nearby cities with trips that would take only a few hours: for instance, Dallas to Houston and Cleveland to Cincinnati. This may seem prudent, but one has to wonder how much ridership these lines will get: Amtrak generally runs low-quality equipment with average speeds slower than freeways, and Amtrak’s new routes parallel major highways, most of them with preexisting bus service.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

NEW Amtrak Train Routes | The Best and Worst of the Amtrak Route Map

 

Apr 23, 2021

 

Grounded Life Travel

 

There were new Amtrak train routes proposed this month and we break down the best and worst routes. What did they get right and what did they leave out? We take a look at gaps in the Amtrak system like more routes from Atlanta and the Las Vegas to Los Angeles train route. This is an exciting time for Amtrak and anyone that loves to ride trains as it really expands the Amtrak route map.

 

For more Amtrak Tips visit our blog:

https://www.grounded...ravel.com/ca...​

 

CONNECT WITH US!

https://www.groundedlifetravel.com​

https://www.instagra.../groundedlif...

 

[KevinKorell]

Column in North State Journal, Raleigh, NC, 5//5/21:

 

 

    Amtrak’s got the disappearing railroad blues  

 

 

Americans love the idea and nostalgia of trains. They just don’t ever buy a ticket and get on a train to go somewhere.

 

Really, I don't??

 

Column continues here.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP-FM, Washington, DC  5/7/21

 

Amtrak CEO voices opposition to proposed MAGLEV train line

 

 

Amtrak CEO William Flynn laid out his reasons for opposing the proposed MAGLEV train line in the Northeast Corridor.

Flynn told a House subcommittee Thursday that once the MAGLEV is built, it would only serve the wealthy because the tickets are much more expensive than Amtrak.

 

He also bashed the cost, saying the technology is environmentally disruptive and much more expensive than rail service.

Instead, Flynn pushed for Congress to fund upgrades to Amtrak that would allow for faster transportation between D.C. and Baltimore and D.C. and New York.

 

Continue here.

 

Cross-posted in Maglev trains: Back to the future for Maryland?