RailNation: Tucson To Rally Advocates And Leaders This November

For Immediate Release (23-08)
Contact: M. Ned Butler (mbutler@narprail.org)

RailNation: Tucson to Rally Passenger Rail Advocates and Leaders This November

TUCSON, Ariz. – RailNation: Tucson is the largest seasonal gathering of passenger rail supporters from all over the country. From November 1st – 3rd in Tucson, the Rail Passengers Association is offering an opportunity for hundreds of passionate rail supporters across the United States to learn from the best in the nation and the region. Rail Passengers will bring together policy experts, elected officials, advocates, and organizations to learn, network, and grow. Notable attendees include local stakeholders from city and state-wide organizations, such as the University of Arizona, Downtown Tucson Partnership, Arizona Department of Transportation and Visit Tucson as well as Amtrak executives.

Last year, Rail Passengers hosted RailNation: Meridian. Hundreds gathered in the vibrant, walkable downtown after arriving at the revitalized multimodal transit station to learn more about advocacy. Rail Passenger Association strives to share more rail success stories through annual conferences, while encouraging more communities to get on the map by activating their existing and potential passenger rail corridors. Since the station revitalization project, Meridian has seen over $200 in economic return for every $1 spent on the project.

RailNation is an opportunity for advocates to receive the practical tools, seminars, and coaching to increase passenger rail access in towns of all sizes. While in Meridian, Rail Passengers leadership was joined by experts in the field; Amtrak senior officials, the Southern Rail Commission, regional Mayors and keynote speaker Federal Railroad Administrator Amit Bose. The event brought together advocates from across the nation. With local sponsorships from small businesses, and established regional employers who have seen the benefits of daily long-distance passenger rail, the conference exemplified the best of Mississippi.

Rail Passengers Association President and CEO Jim Mathews said the RailNation: Tucson meeting is all about continuing to build the platform for rail advocacy in the southwest and throughout the nation.

“Thanks to various elements of the IIJA, Arizona is very much in play as a centerpiece for passenger rail expansion in the Southwest. This Fall, the Rail Passengers Association will bring advocates from all over the country to hear from local, state, regional, and federal officials – all to share the story of the Grand Canyon state.”

States like Arizona are positioned for tremendous economic growth, with passenger rail expansion efforts already manifesting across the United States. Rural and tribal communities that are often situated far away from essential services have already benefited from expanded passenger rail in neighboring states. People who deal with isolation due to mobility issues could find easy ways to visit friends and family. Public Passenger rail systems also provide affordable, sustainable alternatives to the expensive maintenance of personal automobiles. To respond to these needs and the demand for more passenger rail, the Rail Passengers Association is building the platform in Arizona, right now, to enrich rail communities and inspire more advocates.

Rail Passengers Association invites rail advocates, enthusiasts, policy professionals, elected officials, press, planners, engineers, and community members to attend RailNation: Tucson and be a part of the growing platform for expanding passenger rail to more people across the nation. If you are interested in More Trains to More Places for More People, register today!

To register virtually or in person, visit: https://www.railpassengers.org/Tucson2024

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About the Rail Passengers Association:

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation, and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible, and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works, and plays in towns all across America.

About All Aboard Arizona:

All Aboard Arizona (AAAz) an Arizona-based 501c3 non-profit, advocates for passenger rail services as an integral part of long-distance, regional, and local transportation systems. We were the first to propose light rail service between downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa, now a reality. We were early advocates of commuter rail service for the Phoenix area, as well as regional service between Phoenix and Tucson. These are now being seriously studied by state and local officials and agencies. We have long advocated daily Amtrak service through Southern Arizona, and our efforts have assured us a seat at the table. In the past, the question was: “Will there be passenger rail?” Now that others - cities, elected officials, and business leaders - have joined in support of passenger rail service, we can focus on “What type(s) of passenger rail will exist?” and “Where will trains run?” Membership in All Aboard Arizona is open to all interested in public transportation, climate change, smart growth, and rural/urban planning.