Daily Amtrak services returning in October
The two Amtrak trains that are more popular among Tennesseans will return to daily service in the early Fall.
The Crescent (New York to New Orleans), which has been on a five-day-per-week schedule since the Spring of 2021 will return to a daily schedule on October 4th. Tennesseans who ride this route usually board and/or arrive at Atlanta or Birmingham.
The City of New Orleans (Chicago to New Orleans), which has also been on a five-day-per-week schedule, will return to daily service on October 8th. This train serves Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg directly, and some Tennesseans utilize the stop at Fulton, Kentucky.
We are glad to see a plan for daily service returned; however, we would also like to see full-service dining restored on both of the routes as well.
The Crescent (New York to New Orleans), which has been on a five-day-per-week schedule since the Spring of 2021 will return to a daily schedule on October 4th. Tennesseans who ride this route usually board and/or arrive at Atlanta or Birmingham.
The City of New Orleans (Chicago to New Orleans), which has also been on a five-day-per-week schedule, will return to daily service on October 8th. This train serves Memphis and Newbern-Dyersburg directly, and some Tennesseans utilize the stop at Fulton, Kentucky.
We are glad to see a plan for daily service returned; however, we would also like to see full-service dining restored on both of the routes as well.
Bill to Study Amtrak Expansion Up for Discussion
February 23, 2022 - Members of Tennessee State Legislature are advancing the idea to study the expansion of Amtrak service to include Nashville and other cities in the Volunteer State.
State Representative Jason Powell is putting together a Train Travel Caucus to provide advocacy and support.
Tennessee Association of Railroad Passengers is very pleased to hear this encouraging news. We hope that our home state will develop a timely and sustainable plan to improve mobility in our state. With our growing population and our vibrant tourism industry, passenger rail can provide an efficient and convenient travel option while providing traffic relief on our highways.
Here are some news links for further reading:
Knoxville Daily Sun
The Tennessean
Tennessee Lookout
WKRN.com
State Representative Jason Powell is putting together a Train Travel Caucus to provide advocacy and support.
Tennessee Association of Railroad Passengers is very pleased to hear this encouraging news. We hope that our home state will develop a timely and sustainable plan to improve mobility in our state. With our growing population and our vibrant tourism industry, passenger rail can provide an efficient and convenient travel option while providing traffic relief on our highways.
Here are some news links for further reading:
Knoxville Daily Sun
The Tennessean
Tennessee Lookout
WKRN.com
Take Action Now!
TARPs efforts to expand rail service in Tennessee are moving from the federal level to the state level. We are now focusing our efforts on contacting state lawmakers to express support for passenger rail.
The first step in expanding passenger rail in Tennessee will be for the state to conduct a study that would project ridership and possible routes. Bills in the House and Senate HB 2278 & SB 2602 are currently in committee. We need to contact our elected officials to express our support for Amtrak service in Tennessee.
Here is a page from the legislature about effective communication with your Representative. Here is a link to find your Representatives.
Passenger rail in Tennessee has bipartisan support. We are asking for support from our Representatives to study Amtrak expansion.
IMPORTANT UPDATE! On March 8, 2022 we heard that the bill to authorize the study received a bi-partisan vote of approval in committee! That's a small and crucial step in the right direction!
The first step in expanding passenger rail in Tennessee will be for the state to conduct a study that would project ridership and possible routes. Bills in the House and Senate HB 2278 & SB 2602 are currently in committee. We need to contact our elected officials to express our support for Amtrak service in Tennessee.
Here is a page from the legislature about effective communication with your Representative. Here is a link to find your Representatives.
Passenger rail in Tennessee has bipartisan support. We are asking for support from our Representatives to study Amtrak expansion.
IMPORTANT UPDATE! On March 8, 2022 we heard that the bill to authorize the study received a bi-partisan vote of approval in committee! That's a small and crucial step in the right direction!
