RAILforum: Passenger advocates urged to write letters backing Amtrak

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Posted by Trainsandmore (Member # 896) on :

Trainsmag.com just reported that Amtrak supporters nationwide are being asked to put their views in writing as part of the Railroad Passenger's Association of Alabama's Fourth Annual Letters to the Editor Campaign.

May 1 - which will mark Amtrak's 31st anniversary - is the target publication date, so letters should be sent to newspapaers soon in order to meet deadlines, says Jim Norton, who began the letter-writing campaign.

Each year, the campaign has been able to have letters run in USA Today and in local newspapers actross the country, Norton says. These letters told the public about Amtrak travel, the lack of adequate passenger rail funding, and the need for passenger rail expansion.

"This has proved a strong advocacy tool in educating the public about Amtrak and the pleasures and advantages of traveling by rail," Norton says. "Everyone's participation in this ... effort is greatly needed and appreciated as the need for Amtrak becomes clearer each and every year."

Most newspapers require that letters be brief, and include the writer's name, address, and telephone number where he or she can be reached for confirmation purposes.