High Speed Rail Alliance

05/30/2026

Executive Director Rick Harnish speaks at the City Year Transit Advocacy forum today (May 30) at the Lozano Branch Library in Chicago - with organizer Siddharth Reddy Beduduri, and Alex Perez of the Active Transportation Alliance. Knowledgeable audience, interested in the future of high-speed rail.

05/28/2026

"The Department of Transportation will provide $465.8 million in funding for an overhaul of Washington Union Station, including structural repairs and enhancements to the passenger concourse and Amtrak lounge, the agency announced today.

At the same time, DOT indicated it will scrap existing plans for a station expansion, saying it will announce a new plan 'in the near future.'"

WASHINGTON — The Department of Transportation will provide $465.8 million in funding for an overhaul of Washington Union Station, including structural repairs and enhancements to the passenger concourse and Amtrak lounge, the agency announced today. At the same time, DOT indicated it will scrap ex...

05/27/2026

Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Moulton and DelBene re-introduced the American High Speed Rail Act.

The bill would authorize $205 billion for high-speed rail over five years. This is the level of commitment needed to truly begin developing a national high-speed rail network.

Click here to take action:

U.S. Representatives Moulton and DelBene introduced the American High Speed Rail Act. This bill includes $205 billion for high-speed rail.

05/26/2026

How can the rail advocacy movement do better when it comes to cultivating a wider audience?

Join us on Thursday, June 18 at noon CDT for a conversation with Banks Rail in the second installment in our "TrainTubers" series.

James-Jordan Banks of Banks Rail joins us to share his experiences as a Black transit creator and discuss ways to better connect with allies.

05/24/2026

Beginning California's high-speed rail project in the Central Valley is a great idea. Many people have argued that starting the line in San Francisco or Los Angeles would have made more sense. But it turns out that the Valley line is a leverage point that will transform systems across the state.

Even a short segment of high-speed line—planned strategically and with a big-picture view in mind—will have massive ripple-out effects on an entire transportation network. And way beyond.

It not only balloons ridership and lowers costs across the network. It slashes pollution and greenhouse gases, lowers road fatalities and injuries, multiplies opportunities for students and workers, and creates stronger communities and a better overall quality of life for everyone in the corridor.

How One Short Segment of High-Speed Line Could Balloon Ridership—and Cut Costs—for All of California’s Trains

05/23/2026

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure advanced a surface transportation bill, called the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th (BUILD America 250) Act. The bill determines funding levels for roads, bridges, transit, rail transportation, and highway programs for the next five years.

This version of the surface transportation bill doesn’t provide guaranteed funding for passenger rail. Instead, rail programs would have to fight for funding through the budget process every year. This is a dramatic shift from the IIJA (the last surface transportation bill), which provided about $66 billion for rail over five years.

Passenger rail advocates need to make their voices heard. Take action and ensure there is dedicated funding for trains over the next five years!

America is defined by its regions. From the mountains and lush forests of Cascadia, to the plains and Great Lakes of the Midwest, to the bluegrass and sweet wetlands of the Southeast—every region is unique.

05/20/2026

The federal government announced a "master developer" for Penn Station. It marks the rebuild's biggest step forward since the Trump administration took control of the project from the MTA last year.

The plan would also overhaul the way trains move in and out Penn Station. Amtrak officials said the plan will expand track capacity by allowing “at least limited” NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road trains to “through-run” instead of stopping at Penn Station and turning around.

The federal government announced a "master developer" for Penn Station. It marks the rebuild's biggest step forward since the Trump administration took control of the project from the MTA last year.

05/20/2026

Registration is OPEN for our upcoming BIG advocacy conference in Milwaukee: THINKING BIG ABOUT WISCONSIN PASSENGER RAIL

Check out our growing roster of star speakers! More to be announced.