RUN’s Annual Meeting and Virtual Mini-Conference
Friday, October 15, 2021. 1 – 5:15 pm., EDT.
“You can’t get there from here! – the Midwest’s missing passenger connections and what’s being done about them.”
Rail Users’ Network’s Virtual Mini-Conference took place on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 1 pm – 5:15 pm. This free, event highlighted the ongoing efforts of rail advocates to improve and expand passenger rail service in the Midwest and in Ontario, Canada.
The program began with a brief RUN business meeting to elect board members with opening remarks given by RUN’s Chair, Richard Rudolph, who will briefly talk about RUN’s current activities and some of the challenges that rail advocates are currently facing across North America.
Andrew Albert, Vice – Chair, RUN, Chair of the NYC Transit Riders Council and Riders’ Representative on the MTA Board will provide the Nominee Committee’s Report and conduct the election of board members for 2021-2022.
The roster of speakers include:
Michael Fuhrman, Executive Director of the Lakeshore Rail Alliance, which is a new seven member umbrella organization. Mark will talk about the organization’s efforts calling for four daily trains between New York and Chicago.
Dana Gabbard, Treasurer, Southern California Transit Advocates. He will provide a critique of Amtrak’s Expansion Plans and the need to restore passenger rail routes that were abandoned in 1998.
John Guidinger, Chairman, Michigan Association of Rail Passengers will talk about the effort to restore passenger rail service from Chicago, Detroit to Toronto, Canada / Ken Westcar, Director, Transport Action, Ontario will talk about Ontario’s government efforts to expand service on the Canadian side of the border.
Fred Lanahan, President, Northern Indiana Passenger Rail will provide an update on the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Columbus Corridor and its inclusion in Amtrak’s 2035 plan.
Stu Nicholson, Executive Director, All Aboard Ohio will talk about the new “3C” project which could provide thrice-daily round trips from Cleveland – Columbus – Dayton and Cincinnati with intermediate stops.
Derrick James, Amtrak’s Senior Government Affairs Officer, Greater Chicago Office will be on hand to talk about Amtrak’s 2035 Plan.
Tom Porter, Chairman, Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association will talk about the organization’s efforts to restore rail service from Toledo to Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan.
Carolyn Zulstad, Transportation Program Manager, Groundwork, Center for Resident Communities will talk about the Ann Arbor to Traverse City, Michigan Rail Project.
The mini-conference will close with a Public Forum which will enable participants to share their ideas for improving / expanding passenger rail / rail transit services in North America.
David Peter Alan, Esq., contributing editor to Railway Age who is also a RUN Board Member will provide closing remarks.
Our mini-conference is designed not only for rail advocates, but also civic and business leaders, environmentalists, planners, real estate developers and members of the general public who are interested in knowing more about passenger rail and rail transit in the midwest.
Please note this is a free event, but registration is required. Be sure to register early. The deadline is October 8, 2021 so that we can send along the info needed to attend RUN’s virtual mini-conference. To register, please go to our website railusers.net. and click on the “to register” link.
We look forward to your participation. In the meantime, stay safe and well. Richard Rudolph, Chairman, Rail Users’ Network.
Our Virtual Mini-Conference was held on October 10, 2020.
See more of our past conferences here.