Join us at the 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.

The focus will be on projects which are moving forward, and those which are standing still & need support. We will also highlight how passenger rail & rail transit is already creating greater mobility choices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, & generating new economic development along rail corridors in the Midwest.

Schedule

8:00-8:15 Registration/Cont. Bkfst. 8:15-8:30 Introductory Remarks – Brian Nelson, Pres. All Aboard Minnesota, Richard Rudolph, Chair, Rail Users’ Network

8:30-8:45 State Funding Outlook for Expanded Rail – Alice Hausman, State Representative (DFL), House Transportation Committee

8:45-9:10 Challenges facing the region in the transportation, housing, and economic sectors in coming decades – Alene Tehorumoff, Chair, Metropolitan Council

9:10-10:00 Economic Impact of Corridor Rail Development – Kevin Brubaker, Dep. Director, Environmental Law & Policy Center

10:00-10:10 Break

10:10-11:10 Passenger Rail & Light Rail Expansion in Minnesota/Wisconsin – Dan Krom, Chief of MN Dept. of Transportation Rail Office, Frank Loetterle, Project Manager, Northern Lights Express, Kevin Roggenbuck, Sr. Trans. Planner, Ramsey County Regional Rail

11:10-11:35 David Christianson, Exec. Director, Organizing Council for the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition
11:35-12:15 St. Paul/Minneapolis Green & Blue Light Rail lines and plans for expansion -Brian Lamb, Gen. Mgr, Metro Transit

12:15-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:30 Minnesota/Wisconsin Rail Advocacy Panel – Brian Nelson, President, All Aboard Minnesota, Moderator. Panelists include Ken Buehler, Northern Lights Express Rail Alliance, Jessica Treat, Exec. Director, Transit for Livable Communities, Scott Rogers, Chairman, West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, John Parkyn, President, Wisconsin Association of Rail Passengers, Nona Hill, President, All Aboard Wisconsin

2:30-2:40 Break

2:40-3:20 Q&A Audience Forum: open dialogue with the audience

3:20-4:35 RUN Board Members share their ideas & experiences – Richard Rudolph, Chair/Moderator. Panelists include Andrew Albert, Vice Chair, Rail Users’ Network & Chair, NYC Transit Riders Council, Steve Albro, RUN Treasurer & Vice Chair, Citizen Advisory Board, Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority, J.W. Madison, President, Rails Inc., Phil Streby, Treasurer, Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance & RPA Board Member.

4:35-4:45 Closing Remarks – Robert Moen, Treasurer, All Aboard Minnesota

If you’re interested in rail in the Upper Midwest, be sure to register now!

$45 until May 28th, and $50 for last-minute or at-the-door registration. You may click on the link below to pay, or send a check payable to the Rail Users’ Network, to RUN, P.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104.

You can also view details about Past Annual Conferences, here.

Please join us at what promises to be a very informative and inspiring event. You can register on RUN’s website, railusers.net, or via regular mail. Checks should be sent to RUN, Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104. Check back here for additional details.