Pictured above: A recently upgraded highway crossing in 110 mph territory on the Chicago - St. Louis route. Last week, the Atlantic published an article entitled “A ‘Death Train’ Is Haunting South Florida”. Once you get past the sensationalist headline (and the...
Newsletter 10/3/25: Hudson Tunnel Freeze, Brightline Hourly Service, and Illinois Transit Bill
Administration Freezes Funding for Hudson River Rail Tunnel
The U.S. Department of Transportation has frozen $16 billion in federal funds for construction of a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New Jersey and New York City, ostensibly to ensure that contractors on the project were not selected through any requirements meant to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
This project, known as the Gateway Program, is among the most important passenger rail projects in the county, possibly second only to California High Speed Rail. Its delay, postponement or cancellation will harm the American economy and hurt real people.
Continue Reading
Brightline Florida Wastes No Time Showing Value of Hourly Departures
Hourly service and 600-seat trains. Every hour, on the hour – that’s the way the Pennsylvania Railroad and its successors operated their “Clocker” trains between Philadelphia and New York City for 90 years. It was a successful business because passengers could depend on the hourly frequency.
Here now comes Brightline, the private-sector operator of trains between Miami and West Palm Beach, since 2018, and between Miami and Orlando since 2023. The Brightline schedule shows 18 daily round trips between Miami and West Palm Beach, with 10 of those runs going to and from Orlando. This is getting close to hourly service.
Continue reading
Illinois Transit Bill Could Deliver the First Real Money for Intercity Rail
This fall, Illinois lawmakers will decide whether to embrace a transportation future that connects every corner of the state—or let a once-in-a-generation opportunity slip away.
HB3438, a sweeping transit reform bill that passed the Senate in May, now awaits a vote in the House. While its immediate purpose is preventing devastating service cuts to Chicago-area transit systems, the bill does something unprecedented: it recognizes intercity trains as an essential part of the state’s transit system.
If Illinois—with Chicago as the nation’s rail hub—commits to building a modern, integrated rail network, it could reshape how America thinks about trains.
Continue reading
Luncheon – Averting the Fiscal Cliff: The Road to Regional & High-Speed Rail
When: Friday, October 10, 11am to 3pm CT (Doors open at 10am)
Where: The Collective, 120 S Riverside Plz, Chicago, IL 60606
From the urgent fiscal crisis threatening Chicago-area transit, to the future of Metra and high-speed rail in the Midwest, you will hear directly from leaders addressing today’s most pressing transportation challenges.
Accelerating the Permitting Process for High Speed Rail Projects
Speaker: Terry Hynes, Senior Counsel, Sidley
Environmental review and permitting of high-speed rail projects can take many years or even more than a decade. This increases the cost of projects, discourages private investment, and makes the public wait to enjoy the benefits of high-speed trains. In this talk, you can learn about a proposal to designate the Surface Transportation Board as the lead agency for all high-speed rail projects, to accelerate review and permitting.
Brightline Implements Service Improvements, Adds Capacity for Commuters
MDOT Studying Plan to Create a Fourth Passenger Rail Route In Michigan
Trump Administration to Withhold $18 Billion for New York Area Transit Projects (NY Times)
Trump Administration Pauses $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure Projects Amid Shutdown
Multiple Factors Impacting Amtrak Long-Distance Trains
California to Vegas High Speed Rail Costs Jump $5.5 Billion (East Bay Times)
PM ‘Remains Committed’ to Northern Powerhouse Rail
Trenitalia Deploys Next-Generation High Speed Train
The Business Case Against Business Cases, From Railways to Mobile Phones
The Latest from HSRA
Our Latest Blog Posts
Check out the latest news, updates, and high speed rail insights from our blog!
