Annual Conference

Each year the Rail Users' Network sponsors an International Conference held in November. This year we are holding our 5th International Conference.

“Empowering Rail Passengers through Representation and Advocacy"

Download brochure and registration form

The Rail Users' Network announces its 5th International Conference, to be held in one of North America's most dynamic cities, fittingly at the Hyatt Regency Dallas-300 Reunion Blvd. Dallas is a city on the move, and boasts expanding commuter rail and light rail transit lines. Come see why Dallas is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, while listening to experts in every field of rail service.

The conference will focus on ways to deliver the highest quality service to customers, while planning for the future. Registrants will have access to a wide variety of information from our distinguished list of speakers, as well as participate in our interactive workshops, which will range from planning rail systems of the future, to highlighting the new starts that have taken root all over the country, to focusing on the inequities that exist in some of our largest transit systems. Learn why some areas have great service, while areas of similar population densities do not. See how new transit systems have helped boost the economies of cities, and why more cities should want them. See why long-term planning is essential if outstanding customer service is the goal.

Both Friday and Sunday afternoon can be used to sample the great variety of rail transportation in and around Dallas, including the Trinity Rail Express (TRE) commuter rail line, DART Light Rail System and the McKinney Ave Street Car Line.

Join us at the Rail Users' Network's 5th International Conference - where the future of rail service begins with serving today's customers in the style and quality they deserve.

INVITED SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Ian Brown, Managing Director
  -Rail Transport for London, London Rail
• Alex Kummant, President and CEO
  -Amtrak
• Doug Allen, Executive Vice President
  -DART
• W.T. "Bill" Farquhar, Chief Operating Officer
  -Trinity Rail Express
• James Coston, Chairman
  -Corridor Capital LLC
• Michael Franke, Senior Director for Corridor Planning
  -Amtrak
• Art Guzzetti,Vice President
  -American Public Transit Association
• John O. Hedrick, President
  -Denton Country Transportation Authority
• David Jeannes, President
  -Transport 2000 (Canada)
• D.J. Mitchell II,Vice President, Passenger Operations
  -Burlington Northern Santa Fe
• Peter LeCody, President
  -Texas Rail Advocates
• Dr. William Pollard, Director
  -Texas Eagle Marketing Group
• Allyson Shumate, Project Director
  -Music City Star
• Robert Smith,Vice President
  -Herzog Transit Services, Inc.
• William Vantuono, Editor
  -RailwayAge

SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS ARE:

• Advocating for New Rail Starts
  The focus will be on how new services start and the role that citizen groups, politicians, railroads and others have played in getting the service up and running. Several case studies will be presented.
• Best Practice
  Examples of how citizens (and customers) can make a difference in restoring, promoting and making rail passenger and rail transit services more customer friendly. Three areas will be examined: marketing, computers aiding the cause and lobbying for better service.
• Building a World Class Railway In the United States
  Thinking beyond the usual Amtrak budgetary process. What would it take in dollars, initiative, political will, and general support, for the kinds of investment which would permit the US to emulate the fine service in western Europe and Japan?
• Retrofitting Older Transit Systems For Today's Accessibility Needs
  Rail passenger and rail transit has covered much ground in serving all of those who wish to ride, but there are still too many nagging concerns. This workshop will examine what still needs to be done, and the obstacles in the way such as cost, space requirements/limitations and unfunded mandates.
• Transit Inequities
  The Transit Inequities Panel will examine areas of similar population densities, in the same cities, that experience vastly different levels of transit service, and why that discrepancy exists. The Panel will also look at remedies to this problem, as well as effective advocacy to prevent this from happening in new starts. Topics will include longrange planning, contacts with transit agencies, as well as the press, publicizing the problems, as well as remedial steps.

Download brochure and registration form

If you missed this year's conference and are interested in attending next years, please contact Richard Rudolph, RUN’s Chair at (207) 642-5161. He can be reached by e-mail at rrudolph@fairpoint.net.