Amtrak just set a ridership record by carrying 32.8 million passengers last year. (The previous record was 32 million people in 2019.) Brightline West is building North America’s first true high-speed line, and new Acela trains are set to begin running this spring in the Northeast Corridor, giving many Americans their first experience of world-class train travel. It’s a breakthrough moment for US passenger rail.
Throughout his campaign, President Trump focused on building the economy by “onshoring” industry and investing in a stronger US manufacturing sector. In his inaugural address, he promised a new “golden age” for America. The administration’s new Secretary of Transportation—Sean Duffy, confirmed by the Senate this week—can help deliver on these promises by leveraging the strong momentum for quality US passenger rail.
Here’s a four-part agenda to make it happen:
- Order more trains, build the supply chain, and grow the economy.
- Help get at least one true high-speed line running this decade.
- Pursue an all-in program of bridge building and repair.
- Launch an aggressive program to improve highway-rail grade-crossing safety.
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