AmeriStarRail announced that Amtrak has agreed to meet with the start-up company to discuss private sector solutions and financing for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.
The improvements are detailed at www.AmeriStarRail.com.
AmeriStarRail is proposing more than $5 billion in private investment to replace Amtrak’s 45-year-old Amfleet cars with 160 mile-an-hour trainsets that will include seating in coach, business, and first-class.
Amtrak issued the following statement:
“At AmeriStarRail’s request, Amtrak has agreed to participate in a call on Wednesday to permit AmeriStarRail to further elaborate on their proposal. We will determine appropriate next steps after the call.”
Below is a letter from AmeriStarRail to Amtrak:
https://storage.googleapis.com/delawarebusinessnow-cdn/2021/04/ASR-Offer-to-Amtrak-0317.2021.pdf
AmeriStar has also proposed improvements that include solutions to bottlenecks around major cities and even leasing the Northeast Corridor route from Amtrak while retaining union employees.
Amtrak currently operates higher-end Acela service and slower-speed Northeast Regional trains. Longer distance trains also operate on the corridor to Florida and other destinations.
“This will provide the Transportation Equity of high-speed rail service for coach passengers for the first time in America and complement President Joe Biden’s proposed $80 billion plan to rebuild and improve Amtrak’s infrastructure,” AmeriStarRail stated.
The meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, April 14th. AmeriStarRail co-founders Neil Glassman and Scott Spencer and Senior Advisor Paul Reistrup (former Amtrak President) will meet with officials of the government-owned railroad, including vice president North East Corridor.
Spencer is a Delaware transportation consultant.
