Happening Now
Hotline #1,424
January 16, 2026
Happy #HotlineFriday, everyone! President+CEO Jim Mathews pens an op-ed on the looming advocacy and policy fights for passenger rail, New Zealand’s South Island gets long distance service for the first time in over two decades, plus the rest of the news round-up. See you onboard! Highball!
Hotline #1,424–January 16th, 2026
Get on track with this week's rail passengers news
"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."
Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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