Newsletter 11/7/25: Intercity Rail is Now Transit and the EU’s High-Speed Rail Pla

Illinois Quietly Rewrote the Rules: Intercity Rail is Now Transit

When the Illinois General Assembly passed its $1.5 billion transit package, it did something more profound than stabilize budgets or prevent service cuts. It fundamentally reconceived the role of passenger rail and public transportation in the state’s economic and social fabric—and wrote that vision directly into law.

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A map of existing and potential passenger rail routes in Illinois.

There’s a New Plan to Connect Europe With High-Speed Rail. Here’s the Key U.S. Takeaway

The EU’s fragmented railway development is a cautionary tale for the US. The key takeaway from the current push to overcome it is that the sooner a federal agency is empowered to plan, fund, and authorize construction of a national railway network, the better.

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Charlotte Voters Say Yes to Transit Expansion

Charlotte, North Carolina will make a historic investment in transit, thanks to voter approval Tuesday of a sales tax increase of 1 percentage point, from 7.25% to 8.25%. The sales tax is expected to generate $19.4 billion over 30 years.

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Two Trailways and two Greyhound buses are parked at Chicago's Intercity bus station.

Chicago Sets Aside $50 Million to Buy Inter-City Bus Station

The city of Chicago, in peril of becoming the largest American city without an inter-city bus station, has a plan to fix the problem.

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You Really Expect Me to Drive to Louisville?

You Really Expect Me to Drive to Louisville?

This essay by Theo Anderson is part of the “Why I Fight series,” which offers personal reflections on train advocacy by Alliance staff, members, and friends. Go here for a related rant by Anderson, “Why Can’t I Take the Train to Indy,” and go here for executive...