An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.

In an op-ed in Streetsblog USA, Edward D’Amato argues that privatizing Amtrak won’t make U.S. passenger rail better.
According to D’Amato, “Amtrak’s government ownership isn’t the problem. The issue runs deeper.” U.S. rail lines, D’Amato explains, were largely built in the 19th century by private interests. “Back then, rail lines didn’t need to be straight and fast as trains only had to compete with canals, stagecoaches and riverboats — not cars and airplanes.”
Today, transportation needs are different, but U.S. railways have not caught up. Building out a passenger rail network requires public investment, and the success of private operator Brightline in Florida is “ an exception rather than a blueprint for national success. Its model depends on some public investment and will work only on the most densely traveled routes.”
D’Amato argues that the U.S. needs a dedicated, publicly funded passenger rail network separate from freight traffic to attract private rail investment — not entirely different from how governments fund airports and highways to enable private transportation.
According to D’Amato, the U.S. must take three steps to create an effective, modern passenger rail network:
- Create a passenger rail trust fund similar ot the Highway Trust Fund
- Establish a federal policy framework for passenger rail
- Create a federal Passenger Rail Authority
FULL STORY: Op-Ed: What Amtrak Privatization Advocates Miss

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions