2024
FALL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
F.R.A. Corridor Grants – Boosting Economic Activity- the Rail Way!
Spring 2024 Virtual Conference
Expanding Long-Distance Rail Service.
Why Amtrak service to more towns and cities is important to the entire U.S.!
2023
“Passenger Rail & the Environment – Natural Allies”
Environmental benefits of passenger rail /rail transit in North America.
Please contact us for more details regarding this event.
2022
““Look West” – Here’s Where Advocates Are Fighting To Restore/Expand Rail Service In The Western US / British Columbia.”
Rail Users’ Network’s Virtual Conference, took place on Friday, April 29 from 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm. This exciting event highlighted the ongoing efforts of rail advocates to improve and expand passenger rail service in the West and in British Columbia.
The program began with opening remarks given by RUN’s Chair, Richard Rudolph, who briefly talked about RUN’s current activities and some of the latest challenges that rail advocates are currently facing across North America.
2021
“You can’t get there from here! – the Midwest’s missing passenger connections and what’s being done about them.”.
Rail Users’ Network’s Virtual Mini-Conference 2021 took place on Saturday, October 10, 2020 from 1 pm – 5 pm(ET). This free, exciting event highlighted the ongoing efforts of rail transit agencies and intercity rail to provide service during the current pandemic and how a healthy mass transit & intercity rail system can aid the nation’s economic recovery. It also highlighted several efforts underway to improve and expand passenger rail / rail transit in the U.S.
2020
“THE ROAD TO RECOVERY – HOW A HEALTHY MASS TRANSIT & INTERCITY RAIL SYSTEM CAN AID THE NATION’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY”.
Please join us at the Rail Users’ Network’s Virtual Mini-Conference which is taking place on Saturday, October 10, 2020 from 1 pm – 5 pm(ET). This free, exciting event will highlight the ongoing efforts of rail transit agencies and intercity rail to provide service during the current pandemic and how a healthy mass transit & intercity rail system can aid the nation’s economic recovery. It will also highlight several efforts underway to improve and expand passenger rail / rail transit in the U.S.
2019
COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT
Our 17th Annual Conference was held Friday, May 17, 2019, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the offices of Virginians for High Speed Rail, 5101 Monument Ave, Richmond, Virginia.
Sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network & Virginians for High Speed Rail, it examined what’s happening in the Commonwealth regarding passenger rail issues, as well as recent success stories, which projects are moving forward, and which are standing still and could use more help. Time was also set aside to hear from grassroots rail advocates who are working at the state and local level to expand passenger rail in Virginia.
The day began with opening remarks given by Danny Plaugher, Executive Director, Virginians for High Speed Rail, and Richard Rudolph, RUN Chair.
2018
MOVING FORWARD BY RAIL in the TWIN CITIES & UPPER MIDWEST SUMMIT
Our 16th Annual Conference is being held Friday, June 1, 2018 at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network & All Aboard Minnesota, it will examine plans for more rail service between the Twin Cities-Chicago, Duluth, Des Moines & Kansas City, in addition to plans for more commuter & light rail service around the Twin Cities metro area. Read More . . .
2017
Pacific Northwest Passenger Rail Summit – May 6, 2017
The Pacific Northwest Passenger Rail Summit is being held Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at the Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave South, Seattle, Washington.
This regional conference, sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network, and All Aboard Washington (AAWA) will examine passenger rail and trail transit issues in the Pacific Northwest. The focus will be on recent success stories, projects which are moving forward, and those which need support. We will also highlight the strategies of rail advocates in other parts of the country to promote and expand passenger rail. Read More
2016
New England Regional Conference, April 29.
Join us at the “Who’s Looking Out for You? The State of Rail Advocacy in New England” Conference in Boston, Friday, April 29, 2016.
This exciting meeting is taking place Friday, April 29, 2016 from 9:00 to 4:30 p.m. free of charge, at the Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street-10fl. (Green Line-Arlington station, Orange Line-Back Bay station) read more . . .
2015
“Making the Transition from Roads to Rail Conference” in what was once considered the car capital of the world.
This exciting meeting is taking place Friday, March 27, 2015 from 8:00 to 5 p.m. at the Southern California Association of Government Offices, 818 West 7th Street, 12th Floor in Los Angeles.
This national conference, which is being sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network, will examine how Los Angeles is making the transition from roads to rail. The day will begin with opening remarks from Richard Rudolph, Chairman, Rail Users’ Network, and Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director, SCAG. Featured speakers include Denny Zane, Executive Director of MoveLa, Don Sepulveda, Executive Officer, Regional Rail, Los Angeles County Metro, Arthur Leahy, CEO of L.A. Metro, and Mark Murphy, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Amtrak Long Distance Services. read more …
2014
How Passenger Rail & Rail Transit Improve the Economic Vitality of Cities and Regions
Friday, May 2, 2014, 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., held jointly with the SEPTA Citizens Advisory Committee, at the offices of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA. (optional tour on Saturday, May 3)
2013
The Rail Users’ Network “Promoting Rail for Mobility and Economic Vitality” Conference, 2013.
The conference was held Friday, April 26, 2013, from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at the headquarters of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL.
2012
‘Keeping Connected by Rail: Making Your Voices Heard!’
The “Keeping Connected by Rail: Making Your Voices Heard” Conference, will be held on April 20, 2012 at the American Public Transportation Association Headquarters, 1666 K Street N.W., Washington, D.C.
The conference which is being sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network, will examine what’s happening in the Mid – Atlantic region of the U.S. The focus will be on recent success stories, which projects are moving forward, which are standing still, and could use some help. Of course, effective advocacy is paramount to success.
Our keynoter, Don Phillips of Trains Magazine, will examine what needs to be done at the state and national level to create a world-class rail passenger system in the United States. Other speakers include Art Guzzetti, Vice President of Policy, APTA , who will provide a layout of the land in DC, and what we can expect, given the present Congress, and prospects for change, both in the near future and long term. Brian Rosenwald, Chief, Product Management for Amtrak, will focus his remarks on what Amtrak is doing in the short run to improve long distance service.
Participants attending the conference will also hear from rail activists who are working at the grassroots and state level to improve and expand service in the Mid – Atlantic Region.