Passenger rail advocates gather in Billings to push for new Montana route

“This is the first time in decades that the Department of Transportation has been tasked with examining the potential and possible restoration and expansion of long-distance services,” Amit Bose, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration said. “Simply put, Congress is saying long-distance service matters in America, and it has a place in our national rail network.”

For its part, Montana has formed the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, created by 12 county governments along the southern route to improve passenger rail service. The authority is at the center of the two-day Billings conference. It intends to depart the conference with a next step for advancing the southern route. Read more