Here is the summary of Connect NWA. Please read it and give your feedback. This will guide us in crafting a letter to our local officials to support this plan. Here we go: Connect Northwest Arkansas: 10 Year Development Plan is a 278 page report on a through study of existing and potential transit needs in … Continue reading Connect NWA Summary
Contact
What Is Our Point?
Recently I have been asked who is our audience? I also receive suggestions about which big businesses, and which state and Federal agencies to approach with our ideas. Some of us may wonder, are we looking for a rescuer to come and save us? Are we waiting for someone with some juice to decide to … Continue reading What Is Our Point?
A New Possibility
There are discussions among members of the Rail Passenger Association about expanding the Amtrak Board of Directors. Too many are way too focused on the Northeast Corridor. As you know I've ridden both the Acela, the old version, and the Regional train on the NEC. Great experience I think a lot of people would enjoy. … Continue reading A New Possibility
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rail Investment
Here is the second part of the report of my trip to Washington DC and Boston, Mass. These are some facts I learned about the environmental and economic benefits of passenger rail. The information may not surprise us but this is good to know. We need facts and evidence to answer our critics opposition to … Continue reading Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rail Investment
Trip Report: My Trip to Washington DC
I left for my trip on Saturday. On Sunday I took a side trip, more on that later. On Monday I was happy to finally get to my room in Alexandria Virginia. I attended my first meeting of the Rail Passengers Association and came out alive. At least I didn’t go to sleep. Speaking of … Continue reading Trip Report: My Trip to Washington DC
The Arkansas Express Project
From time to time we have candidates for public office post on our Facebook group that they are seeking our vote and to donate to their campaign. We don't allow that since we are a nonpartisan group. Also we expect a candidate to work for our vote. We do want to hear from candidates about … Continue reading The Arkansas Express Project
We Can Make It Happen
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is starting to revise the state railroad plan. This is an opportunity for ORBTS to move the needle - again. This happened before. Here's the story: in 2018 and 2019 the Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission paid for a survey of regional transportation needs including public transportation. ORBTS was just … Continue reading We Can Make It Happen
The Upcoming Rail Passenger Association Meeting
I have all my arrangements made for my trip to Washington DC for the Rail Passengers Association meeting in March. I will take the Acela HSR train from DC to Boston MA and I will buy those tickets this weekend. But flight and hotels are done! I did buy extra points for Amtrak which are … Continue reading The Upcoming Rail Passenger Association Meeting
ORBTS Logo Design Poll
Recently I posted we have two main goals. One is a short term goal of dedicated funding for Ozark Regional Transit Authority. It is political season and soon we will need to step up our game to campaign for a small sales tax raise. One quarter percent is not much but it means everything to … Continue reading ORBTS Logo Design Poll
Action Alert: Write Letters to the Editor
There is a lot of work involved in what we are trying to do. One thing we haven't put energy into is writing Letters to the Editor. Writing and getting your LttE published is a proven tactic to shaping public opinion. We need at least one LttE per week. Here is what we can do. … Continue reading Action Alert: Write Letters to the Editor
Ah, There’s Good News Tonight
In the 1930's when Americans didn't know when they were going to recover from the Great Depression, they looked for any good news they could get. To start a news cast off with the line in our title was making a promise that things, no matter how bad they are now, are getting better. When … Continue reading Ah, There’s Good News Tonight