Action Alert - Amtrak's Long Distance Routes are in Jeopardy Public Comment from Barry Green Aimee Brunckhorst
From: bgreen@midrivers.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 7:26 PM
To: Mark Johnson
Cc: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: EXTERNAL Action Alert - Amtrak's Long Distance Routes are in Jeopardy
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Mayor Mark Johnson
City of Kalispell
Kalispell, MT
Dear Mayor Johnson:
I'm sending this correspondence today asking you to send a letter to U. S. Transportation
Secretary, Mr. Sean Duffy, requesting him to work with Amtrak and Congress to get an order for
new trains placed—with funds already appropriated by Congress—as soon as possible. It is also
central to send a copy of this letter to your U. S. Senators and Congress Members within your
state.
This is an effort that members of the Rail Passengers Association
(http .//......................_ ,.r ,x,a. r�, e:rs.o:r /) are working in conjunction with the High Speed Rail Alliance
organization (kktlpg.://www.'kts:rai'.I.o:rgL?n.ab=.'i) in an attempt to raise concern over the fact that
Amtrak's long-distance passenger car fleet is in dire need of being replaced for current service
and expanded for new service.
For too long, the United States has neglected the potential of passenger rail. As a result, Amtrak
has an aging and shrinking fleet. The national passenger railroad is often forced to run short
trains that fill up and sell out quickly, even at high prices.
Despite Congress appropriating substantial funding to replace Amtrak's aging long-distance
fleet, no order has yet been placed. This delay, paired with worsening equipment shortages and
the retirement of damaged or outdated cars, place all of Amtrak's long-distance routes at serious
risk.
The following link will take you to the High Speed Rail Alliance's `Amtrak Long-Distance Fleet
Action Center" (ktttla .//......................_ ,ku r ,x,:C.ar Vblog/amtrak-lon.g-distance-fleet-actio ). Here
you will find instructions on emailing a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy as well as
downloading a "Sample Letter" for use on your letterhead. For tracking purposes, it would also
be appreciated if you would send a pdf copy to (ifa. 1� ilacarc ).
Finally, I acknowledge the fact that you and your colleagues have more than enough community
specific problems occupying your time. I'm hopeful that some time can be found to fulfill this
request. Thank you for your time with and attention to this matter. If by chance you have already
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sent a letter to Secretary Duffy and members of Congress, I would like to say thank you for taking
that time.
Sincerely yours,
J"3a"* L (;wm
Barry E. Green, RPA Council Rep. (MT) &NW Div. Team Leader
(Also Covering ID and ND RPA Members)
P. O. Box 162
Glendive, MT 59330
(406)-377-8056 (Home)
(406)-939-3059 (Cell)
green.cry idrive:rs.co (Email)
RAILPASSENGERS
(....................... ...r ..x,:lp ., r�.ge:rs.o:rg)
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