National Association of Railroad Passengers

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The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) "is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers" according to the association's website[1].

Contents

[edit] Early History

The organization was originally founded by Anthony Haswell on May 18, 1967 to lobby for the continuation of passenger trains in the United States. Its lobbying efforts were hampered somewhat by Democratic Party political opposition to any sort of subsidies to the privately-owned railroads, and Republican Party political opposition to nationalization of the railroad industry. The proponents were aided by the fact that few in the federal government wanted to be held responsible for the seemingly-inevitable extinction of the passenger train, which most regarded as tantamount to political suicide.

[edit] Activities

NARP's small paid staff in Washington, DC, spends most of its time educating members of Congress and their staffs about the value of passenger rail.

Each month, NARP publishes a monthly newsletter detailing news in the passenger rail world. It often includes stories about related legislation in Congress, Traveler's Advisories, and Travel Tips, with a particular focus on Amtrak. Paid circulation, corresponding to membership as of December 2007, was about 23,500.[2]

NARP also conducts interviews with media on passenger rail related issues, and encourages its members to lobby their legislators for funding for Amtrak and other improvements to the rail infrastructure. The organization's website includes action alerts and news releases. Travel discounts are a member benefit.[3]

[edit] Organization

NARP is divided into twelve membership regions for the purposes of electing members to the board of directors[4]. The various regions and their elected representatives usually meet annually. The regions are grouped into four districts, each of which elects a vice-president[5]. In addition to the above, the members elect a president, a secretary, and a treasurer.

In addition to the elected leadership, there is a small paid staff in Washington, DC, that includes an executive director, his assistant, a director of finance and administration, and an office manager.

As of August 2007, the president was George Chilson and the executive director was Ross Capon[6].

[edit] References

  1. ^ NARP Contact Information (HTML) (English). National Association of Railroad Passengers. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
  2. ^ “Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation”, NARP News (Washington, DC, USA: Ross Capon) 41 (11): 4, 2007-12 
  3. ^ NARP Membership Discount (HTML) (English). National Railroad Passenger Corporation. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
  4. ^ Resources and Links (HTML) (English). National Association of Railroad Passengers. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  5. ^ Maps of Membership Regions & Vice Presidents’ Districts (HTML) (English). National Association of Railroad Passengers. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.
  6. ^ NARP Officers & Committees (HTML) (English). National Association of Railroad Passengers. Retrieved on 2007-12-27.

[edit] External links

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