Passenger Rail

People on train platform next to silver Amtrak train in Portland, Oregon.

Amtrak unveils proposal to restructure, split into 3 divisions

Agency officials say the new structure would offer more transparency and accountability.

August 4, 2026 - Mass Transit

Construction on viaduct for California High-Speed Rail trains near Fresno, California,

California rail builders sign MOU advancing statewide high-speed network

The agreement aims to create an interconnected high-speed rail network and bring down the cost of construction.

July 21, 2026 - California High-Speed Rail Authority

Blue Amtrak train with white star on front next to freight train with double-stacked green shipping containers.

Why are America's trains so slow?

A brief historical inquiry.

July 20, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

Blue and white Acela train in Boston, Massachusetts.

Amtrak expands $10 'Night Owl Fares' on Northeast Corridor

Passengers can buy $10-30 tickets for overnight trips between all Northeast Corridor destinations.

July 19, 2026 - Secret NYC

Metromover light rail train at station in Miami,Florida.

Miami-Dade budget proposes draining rail fund, bus service cuts

The county mayor says the diversion of rail funds is necessary to prevent deeper service cuts.

July 17, 2026 - Miami Herald

Rendering of 'CoCo' Colorado Connector train with woman standing next to it on platform.

Colorado unveils fox mascot, branding for 'CoCo' high-speed rail

The new Denver-to-Fort Collins train is expected to begin service in 2029.

July 14, 2026 - CBS Colorado

Amtrak train with Austin high-rises in the background.

Texas DOT report outlines options for commuter rail between Austin and San Antonio

Amtrak currently operates just one trip per day between the two cities.

July 12, 2026 - San Antonio Express News

Amtrak train next to freight train at a station next to multi-story apartment building.

Who owns US railroad tracks?

Nearly three-quarters of Amtrak's trains operate on tracks owned by private companies. What does this mean for U.S. passenger rail?

May 29, 2026 - Diana Ionescu

People with luggage on train platform next to silver Amtrak train in Selma, North Carolina.

Rail advocates: BUILD America 250 Act could slash railway funding by 80%

Leaving rail funding up to annual appropriations threatens to drastically limit its reliability and effectiveness.

May 28, 2026 - Streetsblog USA

Blurred people in shoadow going down dark staircase under 'Pennsylvania Station' sign.

New Penn Station design won't move Madison Square Garden

Amtrak and federal officials agreed on a new plan for the station's redesign that may be largely funded by the federal government.

May 21, 2026 - Gothamist

Silver and blue Amtrak Surfliner train at platform in San Diego, California with passengers walking next to it.

New federal insurance law could kill US passenger rail within weeks

Passenger rail agencies will be required to acquire roughly $400 million in excess liability insurance.

May 8, 2026 - Streetsblog USA

Passengers boarding an Amtrak train at an outdoor platform in Wilmington, Delaware.

Amtrak may loosen its rules on bringing guns on board

A proposed rule change could allow passengers to bring weapons onto all trains, rather than just the few long-haul lines that allow them currently.

May 5, 2026 - PBS

Yellow wooden building housing historic train depot in Huntsville, Alabama.

Huntsville wants to be a key Southern player in intercity rail

The Alabama city is commissioning a study to assess the potential for 'Amtrak-like' connections to Nashville, Atlanta, and other Southern cities.

April 28, 2026 - AL.com

Passengers boarding an AMtrak train in Deland, Florida.

Trump budget slashes passenger rail funding by 82%

The White House's proposed FY2027 budget makes drastic cuts to public transit and eliminates high-speed rail funding altogether.

April 19, 2026 - Smart Cities Dive

Line of passengers outdoors at Union Station in Denver, Colorado with vintage Union Station - Travel by Train sign in background.

Colorado announces new train between Denver and Fort Collins

The plan requires an agreement with BNSF, which owns the tracks, and Amtrak, which will likely operate the service.

April 14, 2026 - Colorado Newsline

Passengers boarding a white Tren Maya train in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Officials in talks to build train from Tucson to Mexico border

When complete, Mexico's growing rail system will reach across 3,000 kilometers in 24 states.

April 7, 2026 - KJZZ

Red and blue Amtrak train at station in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Amtrak’s Mardi Gras train ‘blows away’ ridership expectations

The line brought back rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

April 5, 2026 - Trains Pro

Yellow and black Los Angeles Metro light rail train stopped at Redondo Beach elevated outdoor station.

LA Metro Greenlights South Bay Light Rail Extension

When complete, the K Line extension will offer a 19-minute ride from Torrance to LAX.

March 9, 2026 - Secret Los Angeles

Aerial view of construction on a viaduct for the California High-speed Rail project.

California High-Speed Rail Slashes $1.7B From 2026 Budget

The CHSRA plans to complete the Central Valley segment of the line and begin revenue service as soon as possible.

March 8, 2026 - Progressive Railroading

Amtrak train pulling into station in Kansas City, Missouri.

FRA Wants to Split Amtrak in 3, Sparking Privatization Fears

A proposal to restructure the rail agency could streamline accountability — or add more bureaucracy.

February 26, 2026 - The Travel

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

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