Passenger Rail
How Can Rail Complete its Comeback in the United States?
Deepa Sanyal writes the second installment of a series devoted to the idea of "Rail Redux"—this time examining the question of what components are necessary to drive a "true rail resurgence."
No Little Plans for Private Passenger Rail Service Between Miami and Orlando
The last private passenger rail in the United States closed in 1983, but a private company is working on a 240-mile service between Orlando and Florida. CityLab recently detailed how a relic of the past could transform the Florida of the future.
Each Passenger Rail Line from Maine to North Carolina on One Map
Ever dream of traveling from Rockland, Maine to Charlotte, North Carolina without using a car? With the Northeast Rail Map you can plan your journey via the East Coast's long-distance, regional, metropolitan, and heritage rail lines.
New Rules Could Allow Sleek Foreign Trains to Operate in America
Ever travel to a foreign country and gaze longingly at their sleek modern rail stock? Pardon my wandering eye, but passenger trains in the U.S. are undeniably ugly. New rules being developed by the FRA could ease the import of foreign beauties.
Will Amtrak Regional Service End in California, Illinois and Indiana?
Unless these states come to an agreement with Amtrak by Oct. 16 to help subsidize regional rail service, required by the Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act of 2008, Amtrak will cease operating them. Agreements were reached with 16 states.
End of the Line Looms for Short Amtrak Routes
In 19 states across America, "small-town mayors, state budget hawks and fans of passenger rail" are debating whether to subsidize passenger rail service or see it disappear thanks to a 2008 Congressional mandate. States have until Oct. 1 to pony up.
America's Rail Station Renaissance
The latter half of the twentieth century saw the slow decline of train travel and the deterioration of America's grand railroad stations. Amid growing rail readership, the country is embarking on a new era of station construction.
Return of Rail Could Be Ticket to Reviving Landmark St. Louis Station
Once a national hub of passenger rail service, St. Louis's majestic Union Station hasn't seen a train in five years. The impending sale of the station may provide the opportunity to bring a historic use back to one of the country's grand relics.
Amtrak Reports Another Record Year
The subject of recent politically charged threats, the rail carrier surpassed its record for annual passengers for the ninth time in ten years. Ridership has grown a total of 49 percent since 2000.
Amtrak Joins Fight Against Trafficking
Amtrak announced this week that they will train 8,000 employees across the nation on how to identify and report potential victims of human trafficking.
Lack of Productivity Afflicts U.S. Commuter Rail
What the U.S. does with twenty-five workers, Spain does with nine; 'work rules' are part of the problem when it comes to the lack of productivity and high costs of America's regional rail systems.
How the Private Sector Just Might Revive Intercity Passenger Rail in the US
For those following the intense debate over intercity passenger rail in the US, the following recent news items might have a few planners scratching their heads:
Plans for Passenger Rail Return to South Florida
This week it was announced that a private company will pick up the passenger rail ball dropped last year by Gov. Rick Scott by financing a $1 billion project to connect downtown Miami to Orlando by 2014.
Amtrak Shoots for the Moon, Hopes to Stay in Operation
With a flurry of ambitious, and big ticket, proposals unveiled over the past three weeks, chronically under-budgeted Amtrak is shifting its strategy in the hopes of proving its potential worth.
Transportation Experts See Bright Future for Rail
Jeff McMahon explores the potential of passenger rail in coming years as automobiles and airplanes "become a little more obsolete."
Georgians Gung Ho for New Passenger Rail
Passenger rail used to connect Columbus, Georgia with Atlanta, but the tracks have been silent since 1970. Today, local leaders and activists are pushing for a restoration of train service to Atlanta from Macon, Athens and Columbus.
Two Sides Connect in World's Longest Tunnel Project
The two ends of the Gotthard Base Tunnel beneath the Swiss Alps are on the verge of connecting, marking a major milestone in the construction of what will be the world's longest transportation tunnel.
Rails to Trails, or Rails to Rails?
An unused right-of-way between Lansdale, PA and Bethlehem is being contested between those that want to return it to passenger rail service and those that want to turn it into a linear park.
Reopened Passenger Train Reconnects Balkans
A passenger train line across the Balkans had been closed for 18 years. As it reopens and reconnects the region to the rest of Europe, there are signs of improved relations in the war-torn region.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
