The FRA’s CRISI grant program is open. This has apparently jumped ahead of Corridor ID in the admin’s grant calendar.

www.youtube.com Amtrak Advances New Long Distance Train Fleet

Amtrak has officially submitted their RFP for the brand-new single-level long distance fleet. The future begins now.

Amtrak ridership snapshot for February.

In part due to some severe snowstorms, Amtrak suffered their first systenwide ridership loss since the Covid pandemic. Iowa's 2 routes saw above-average declines as a result.

Iowa transit ridership for February

Ridership mostly up across the state, with Iowa City/Cedar Rapids losing a bit.

The FRA finally updated their status report on Corridor ID, and it shows just 7 corridors obligated for Step 2. It’s been 2.5 YEARS since awards were first announced.

Seriously, what is the FRA even doing? Rail development is being strangled by this admin.

I Rode Seattle's New Light Rail On a FLOATING BRIDGE YouTube video by Classy Whale

A look at Seattle's new 2 Line, pontoon bridge and all.

Thank you.

Sound Transit to open Cross Lake Connection, first light rail over I-90 bridge Sound Transit is set to open its long-awaited Cross Lake Connection on Saturday, linking the Eastside with Seattle by light rail for the first time.

The middle section of Seattle Link’s 2 Line opens today, connecting the initial 2 Line segment with the 1 Line and downtown Seattle.

With 8-minute frequencies during peak service on each line, the Seattle-Lynnwood section will see peak service every 4 minutes.

Iowa DOT invites comments on the draft Public Transit Long Range Plan The Iowa DOT encourages the public, public transit agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders to review the draft Public Transit Long-Range Plan

Public comment on Iowa’s Public Transit Long Range Plan is open through April 21st.

MassDOT In Talks With Connecticut for Hourly Springfield-NYC Amtrak Service - Streetsblog Massachusetts Expanded service between New York and Springfield is contingent on numerous big-ticket infrastructure projects, many of which are still years away from construction.

"Amtrak is slated to receive 83 new Airo trains through its current contract. ...Amtrak recently applied for $2.7 billion in federal funding through the National Railroad Partnership Program, which would let it exercise an option to acquire additional trains under the same contract."

Here's an IARP-made schedule detailing all the Des Moines-Iowa City bus services now available. We'll upload this and other schedules to our website and update them when needed.

Greyhound launches two new Iowa routes connecting Des Moines to St. Louis, Indianapolis Greyhound is launching two new routes in Iowa, adding daily service connecting Des Moines to St. Louis and Indianapolis.

More details on Greyhound expansion in Iowa.

New daily service between Des Moines & St. Louis, intermediate stops in Iowa are Marshalltown, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City & Mount Pleasant.

New daily service between Des Moines & Indianapolis, stops in Iowa are Monroe, Oskaloosa, Ottumwa & Burlington.

Greyhound has apparently added a daily round trip in between Cedar Rapids and St. Louis. The bus also makes stops in Iowa City and Mount Pleasant.

Another former Trailways route added back into Iowa’s network.

Eyewitness report (by me) that today’s inbound Southwest Chief has 2 Metrolink cars at the front of the consist.

Now into March and the 2nd window for Corridor ID applications is still nowhere to be seen. No clue what the hold up is, given no other FRA grants are open right now.

Amtrak ends plans for new bi-level cars - Trains WASHINGTON — Amtrak is scrapping plans for a new generation of bi-level passenger equipment to replace its aging Superliner fleet, announcing that it will instead move ahead with developing a single-l...

Amtrak is ending its search for new bi-level equipment for its long distance routes. It will instead look for entirely single-level equipment as the current long-distance fleet continues to age out.

St. Paul backs study of passenger rail to Kansas City after Borealis success - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal St. Paul City Council opened the door to a passenger rail service to Kansas City and other Minnesota cities after the success of the recent Borealis route. Learn what steps have been taken and how the...

The Saint Paul City Council joined several other cities in passing a resolution in support of studying passenger rail to Kansas City 🎉

www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n...

12 rail openings/extensions are expected in 2026 across the U.S., and the first one is less than a month away.

The Monon Corridor, a branch off of the South Shore Line, opens March 17th. It will feature 3 new stations in Lake County, IN, with 17 round trips on weekdays and 12 on weekends.

Amtrak ridership for Iowa stations in 2025:

Iowa ridership is up 2.6% over 2024 numbers, and ranked 42nd in total riders served. Still about 10% below the 2019 level of 51,499 riders.

Iowa transit ridership for December. Mostly modest gains, with Davenport up big and Ames, Sioux City taking a step back.

Public Transit Plan Learn about the Public Transit Plan from the Iowa DOT, including financing, strategies, analysis, background and contact information.

A chance for you to provide input on Iowa’s transportation future.

All Aboard Minnesota looks to expand Midwest train travel, including stop in Albert Lea A new rail line from the Twin Cities to Kansas City is being proposed with a stop in Albert Lea.

Over 15 cities and chambers have passed resolutions in support of our two proposed routes.

ABC 6 News - KAAL TV interviewed folks in Albert Lea about why they'd like to see a stop in their city.

www.kaaltv.com/news/all-abo...

Today, construction stopped on the Hudson River Tunnels because the Trump Administration has frozen funds as part of a political spat with New York State Democrats.
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Gateway funding, Amtrak Board meeting recap, an EON Trans report on the IIJA, and so much more. Happy #HotlineFriday!

Read up and we'll see you onboard: www.railpassengers.o...

Reminder: Amtrak is holding a public Board of Directors meeting this week, and you must register by tomorrow (1/27) to take part.

A gentle reminder that Amtrak has now been without a CEO for more than 10 months.

train going through a crossing with trees in the background, photo credit Robert Ball

At one time, passenger trains operated twice daily between Saint Paul and Kansas City. We are advocating for a new train to connect the Twin Cities Metro area with Minnesota cities along the 35W corridor.