The Silver Rail Blog

Big cuts to Silver Star and Silver Meteor. Please contact Congress!

From Texas Rail Advocates:

http://texasrailadvocates.org/2020/06/15/amtrak-to-cut-national-trains-to-3-day-a-week-service/

—Jackson McQuigg

From Business Insider:

Of particular note is the letter to Congress from Amtrak's new President and CEO, William Flynn:

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-passenger-railroad-amtrak-says-it-needs-new-15-billion-bailout-2020-5

If the proposal stands, Amtrak would cut its long distance routes to tri-weekly train service and combine its Florida service trains.

Also see this analysis from Trains magazine:

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/05/26-amtrak-asks-congress-for-more-money-plans-workforce-reductions-cuts-to-long-distance-service

FCRP encourages you to speak up to your Member of Congress and Florida's two Senators to ensure that temporary service cuts do not become permanent. 

It's always a good time to remind elected officials that Amtrak service is important to you and your community.

--Jackson McQuigg

From Trains Magazine:

Due to track work, the Silver Star is cut to a weekend train (Thursday-Sunday) only, depending on the direction. No connecting bus service to Tampa, either. The Meteor will run during the week, albeit its schedule has been impacted, as well.

And forget about eating in the dining car for now, thanks to the coronavirus.

From Trains Magazine:

https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2020/05/14-amtrak-adds-to-anti-virus-measures-alters-rail-schedules-in-southeast

—Jackson McQuigg

Florida, unfortunately, isn’t included:

https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=DCD6C9C9-F7AB-46C1-A9EE-FFD8102EB185

Contact your elected representatives today if you would like to see the resumption of full New Orleans-Florida service.

—Jackson McQuigg

From Fox 35 (Orlando):

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/virgin-trains-continue-construction-on-south-florida-to-orlando-railway-despite-covid-19-pandemic

--Jackson McQuigg

From the Miami Herald:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article241513556.html

—Jackson McQuigg

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/amtrak-1-billion-management-pay-unprecedented-ridership-revenue-loss-20200321.html

—Jackson McQuigg

Transit-oriented development.

From the South Florida Business Journal:

https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2020/02/27/brightline-completes-park-line-apartments.html

--Jackson McQuigg

From Travel & Leisure:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/miami-new-york-amtrak-train-road-trip

--Jackson McQuigg

From Lakeland Now:

https://www.lkldnow.com/transport-hub-could-spark-growth-west-of-downtown/

And the Lakeland Ledger:

https://www.theledger.com/news/20191216/new-transit-hub-proposed-for-rp-funding-center

--Jackson McQuigg