High-Speed Rail Supporters Show Up in LA

We’re seeing what it looks like when train advocates punch back. It’s a remarkable sight.

The Trump administration’s DOT head, Sean Duffy, held a press conference last week in LA’s Union Station to discuss the state’s San Francisco to LA high-speed line.

When Duffy gave the critics’ predictable talking points, train supporters gave it right back to him. They booed Duffy and several other speakers—and chanted “Build the rail!”—for half an hour.

Look, we can’t sugarcoat what’s going on in America. The hard truth is that trains and transit are in the crosshairs. It begins with a high-speed rail project. Soon they’ll come for Amtrak, transit, and any transportation mode that isn’t car-centric.

They think they can break our will with bullying. They won’t. Here’s why:

Our ideas are winning.

You can’t keep a great idea down forever. The status quo had a long run, but it’s clearer by the day that building more roads is busting our budgets and breaking our communities. We can’t afford them. We need transportation that creates strong families, healthier communities, and a more prosperous economy. We need quality trains.

Our power is building.

A crisis makes it clear that we need each other. And it creates new openings and opportunities. Trains have proved their value over the past few years, and they have a strong, growing base of support. By pulling together, we can multiply our power and push through real, long-term change.

Our work is having a real impact.

Along with the negative news, there are plenty of positive stories. The Alliance has covered several of them at our blog recently—including a visionary new rail plan published recently by California; Brightline West’s plan to begin work soon on the first true high-speed line in North America; new bills in the Illinois legislature to expand its railway program; and Amtrak’s imminent rollout of fast, modern trainsets in the Northeast Corridor.

Our future is on the line.

Every voice—every action—is critical right now. They’ll use every tool they can get find to undercut, delay, and reverse our progress. They think we’ll shut up and go away.

Train advocates in LA made one thing very clear last week: That isn’t happening. The stakes are too high. (Watch video of the LA event here; the booing begins around 7:30, right after a speaker calls the project a “disaster.” Read and sign the Alliance’s petition to California Gov. Gavin Newsom here.)

In this moment of crisis, we need to push forward a bold vision for quality trains across America. That means we need more content that’s adapted to this media environment. Which means more video clips, blogposts, webinars, and social-media posts showcasing the power of trains to build stronger families and healthier communities.

You can help in two ways.

First, will you make a special donation that will be put to work right away to develop new, improved media content?

Second, will you take a specific action today? Maybe that means telling a friend or family member about the Alliance. Maybe it means taking a look at our website for ways to get involved. At the least, your representatives at all levels need to know that you support more funding for fast, frequent, and affordable trains.

Thank you for all you’ve done so far to bring quality trains to America. All of us feel overwhelmed, at times, by the pace and scope of the ongoing attacks.

The solution is to pull together. Let’s get informed and connected—and get to work.

Thank you for supporting high-speed rail.

Rick Harnish
Executive Director