Guest post By FK Plous If the United States is to have a modern passenger-rail system, advocates will have to agree on a program of ideas and efforts likely to lead to its successful establishment. A historical review of the nation's successful highway and...
Newsletter 3/14/25: New TGV, California HSR Update and Grant Guidance
SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom Unveil the New TGV Inoui
This week, France unveiled its fifth-generation high-speed train, the TGV Inoui designed by Alstom and set to launch on the Paris-Lyon-Marseille route in 2026. The new trains offer enhanced 5G wifi, a 20% increase to seating capacity and extra legroom, and a double-decker dining car with a grab-and-go section below and a French bistro style restaurant above. Another benefit is their modular format, which allows them to be reconfigured in less than a day to suit the demands of each trip.
Read More:
Alstom Press Release: The Future TGV Inoui
Behold: France’s New High-Speed Rail interior Design Is Perfect, Of Course
The U.S. Department of Transportation Issues Competitive Grant Guidance
From the American Public Transportation Association
On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a directive to all modal agencies, including the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration, to conduct a review of all competitive grant programs and awards, including a project-by-project review in certain circumstances. The focus of this review is to identify project scope and activities that are allocating funding to advance climate, equity, and other priorities counter to the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders.
The guidance applies to competitive award selections made after January 20, 2021 (FY 2022 – FY 2025) without grant agreements or partially obligated grant agreements. It does not apply to projects with executed grant agreements that are fully obligated.
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California High-Speed Rail Update
The California High-Speed Rail Authority submitted their 2025 Project Update Report to the California Legislature. The report covers recent construction milestones, funding challenges and opportunities, and next steps for the project. You can read the report here.
A recent online forum hosted by Californians for Electric Rail and Seamless Bay Area went in-depth on California’s new State Rail Plan. You can read a recap or watch the recording here.
Three State Bills Would Bring Millions to Illinois Passenger Rail, Intercity Buses
Nitpicks Aside, Ezra Klein is Spot-On About the Importance of High-Speed Rail
British Firm Unveils Interior Designs for Japanese Ultra-Fast Earthquake-Proof Trains
New Amtrak Acela Trains Set to Hit Rails This Spring
This Ambitious Proposal Would Radically Reinvent Europe’s Rail System
Metra Asks STB to Require Union Pacific to Continue to Allow Commuter Operations
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