Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

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#Montana #PublicTransportation #RuralMobility

#BSNCC #BigSkyNorthCoastCorridor #PublicTransit #PassengerRail

Photo of Dave Strohmaier and Jeff Schultz standing in a U.S. Senate office with the Senator’s name, Tammy Baldwin, on plaque visible behind them.

Photo of Dave Strohmaier and Jeff Schultz standing in a U.S. Senate office with the Senator’s name, Jeff Merkley, on a plaque visible behind them.

Photo of Dave Strohmaier and Jeff Schultz standing in a U.S. Senate office with the Senator’s name, Tim Sheehy, on placard visible behind them.

Photo of Dave Strohmaier and Jeff Schultz standing in a U.S. Senate office with the Senator’s name, John Hoeven, on a plaque visible behind them.

BSPRA was on Capitol Hill this week, advancing support for passenger rail and Corridor ID. Dave Strohmaier and Jeff Schultz (David Evans and Associates) met with Senate offices to discuss S. 3728 & long-distance Corridor ID policy. Next steps coming soon.
#PassengerRail #CorridorID #BigSkyNorthCoast

Applicants: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, Amtrak and BNSF Railway

Total project cost: $51M
Federal request: $40.8M
Non-federal match: $10.2M

Infographic about the Havre, Montana terminal passenger and freight efficiency project, showing a map of proposed double-track improvements and partnership logos for Amtrak, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority and BNSF Railway.

Big news for Havre and the Empire Builder Line

Havre Terminal Passenger & Freight Efficiency Project submitted to FRA’s NRPP. If awarded: ~6 miles of a second mainline track east of the Havre station, separating freight inspections from the passenger platform and improving safety and reliability.

Regional Rail Plan Comments — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

We also noted the FRA Long-Distance Service Study preferred route between El Paso and Billings.

bigskyrailmt.gov/regional-rai...

Wyoming Statewide Rail Plan 2026 graphic

BSPRA submitted public comment on the Wyoming Statewide Rail Plan update. We thanked WYDOT for its focus on safety and long-range planning and emphasized the need for cross-state coordination.

What would it take to bring passenger rail back to southern Montana and strengthen connections across the region?

Come meet our Chairman, Dave Strohmaier
BSPRA Pint Night at 1Ō5 Brewing in Billings.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 5–8 PM.
Details: bigskyrailmt.gov/events

Bipartisan Senate legislation introduced by Sen. Tim Sheehy and Sen. Jeff Merkley would remove non-federal funding considerations for long-distance passenger rail corridors in the FRA Corridor ID program. More details soon.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

Amtrak Just Broke a Ridership Record—Here Are Its Top Trending U.S. Routes Amtrak's annual findings reveal record ridership and revenue, especially for these popular routes.

Record ridership in 2025 shows passenger rail interest is growing.

Reliability must keep pace, which is why predictable investment and corridor planning are critical. BSPRA is working to restore passenger rail in our region.
www.travelandleisure.com/amtrak-rider...

Improving access while reducing pressure on local roads and communities is central to the work BSPRA is advancing across the Big Sky North Coast Corridor. #GlacierNationalPark #PassengerRail #Montana #Amtrak

Why Amtrak-Accessible Parks Could Become The National Park System’s Future As we move toward more sustainable travel options, having more Amtrak-accessible National Parks might be a crucial move.

With record visitation, many national parks face congestion and access issues for visitors who cannot or prefer not to drive.

Rail access offers a practical alternative. Glacier National Park already benefits from Amtrak service along the Empire Builder route.

www.thetravel.com/why-amtrak-a...

Inside the retrospective:
• Corridor ID progress and readiness work
• Federal and state engagement
• Capacity-building, including workforce development and partnership growth
• Outreach, convenings, and regional coordination

BSPRA Retrospective 2025 — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

BSPRA 2025 Retrospective
At our January 2026 board meeting, Chairman Dave Strohmaier shared BSPRA’s 2025 Retrospective, a look back at key milestones and a look ahead at priorities for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor.
bigskyrailmt.gov/bspra-2025-r...

BSPRA Board Meeting — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Click here to view meeting agenda Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 211 668 932 677 01 Passcode: dZ74jf7q Dial in by phone +1 406-384-6363,,102153781# United State...

Details, agenda & join link: bigskyrailmt.gov/upcoming-mee...

BSPRA Board Meeting — Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Click here to view meeting agenda Microsoft Teams Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 211 668 932 677 01 Passcode: dZ74jf7q Dial in by phone +1 406-384-6363,,102153781# United State...

BSPRA Board Meeting (public welcome)
🗓️ Wed, January 14
11:00 a.m–12:30 p.m. MT

What we’ll cover:
• Hi-Line Community Engagement, Trillium Cooperative
• 2025 Retrospective
• Corridor ID update
• PNWER-RIA subrecipient grant update
• CRISI/WTI grant update
• Fed-State Partnership Malta Project

"If the political will exists to make this work, it will work." - Milwaukee Alderman Bob Bauman

Persistent, strategic advocacy wins. Wisconsin is proving it.

They've secured $5M in federal planning funds and are pursuing FRA Corridor ID grants—the same pathway we're on. They're even in the same federal study as Big Sky's North Coast route.

New MARK Rail Commission Studies Milwaukee-Chicago Train A new rail plan aims to connect Milwaukee to Chicago, reviving the defunct KRM project with a focus on intercity passenger rail.

When Wisconsin's GOP legislature killed its regional transit authority, passenger rail advocates regrouped with Plan B: the MARK Rail Commission, using intergovernmental agreements between cities.

It's exactly what Big Sky Passenger Rail is doing in MT.

pro.stateaffairs.com/wi/news/retu...

Dreamstar Lines too!

You’ll like the Substack piece!

Wow that’s amazing!

The Private Train Car Edition On hitching your luxury shuttle to an Amtrak.

Private car owner or rail tourism pro? We'd welcome the conversation. Read more: whyisthisinteresting.substack.com/p/the-privat...

Rear observation platform of Cyrus K. Holliday private rail car decorated with colorful Christmas lights at Santa Fe Depot in San Diego at night, with illuminated urban buildings in background

Christmas wish: private rail car. 🎄🚆

Private rail cars can still attach to Amtrak service—most people don't know this.

The point? Shared infrastructure. Coach, sleeper, or private car—it all depends on a functioning network.

BSPRA is working to restore the Big Sky North Coast Corridor.

Dan presented on how the Big Sky North Coast Corridor connects communities across eight states—Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon—creating a foundation for a true national passenger rail network.

The conference explored the future of passenger and freight rail across the region, with sessions on infrastructure investment, service innovation, and cross-border coordination between the US and Canada.

Two speakers on stage at PNWER conference - Dan Bucks presenting at podium with slide showing Big Sky North Coast Corridor map, Rep. Denise Baum seated, US and Canadian flags displayed, exposed brick venue with string lights

Big Sky Development & Strategic Engagement Committee Chair Dan Bucks and Montana Rep. Denise Baum spoke at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) annual forum in Portland this fall.

Explore PNWER Summit materials:
www.rianorthwest.org/blog/nov-25

Big Timber Pioneer eEdition page with the headline ‘Supporting passenger rail through Big Timber,’ an opinion piece by Peter D. Fox with author photo.

Continuation page of Peter D. Fox’s opinion piece in the Big Timber Pioneer, showing the concluding sections of the article.

Shared with permission from The Big Timber Pioneer: a guest opinion piece by Peter D. Fox, BSPRA director and Sweet Grass County representative.

Peter writes about why Sweet Grass County took “a seat at the table” and why community support will help shape what comes next.

#PassengerRail #Montana

Double the Fun with a Plus One in a Roomette via Amtrak's 'Twice as Nice' Sale - Amtrak Media

BOGO Roomette deal is back.

Amtrak’s Twice as Nice sale lets you bring a travel companion free when you book a Roomette.

Book by Dec. 19 for travel Jan. 4 – Mar. 31, 2026. Use code C125.

media.amtrak.com/2025/12/doub...

#Amtrak #TrainTravel #Roomette #SleeperCar #RailTravel #TravelDeals

Amtrak Mardi Gras Service Marks Exceptional First-Year Performance — Southern Rail Commission Amtrak Mardi Gras Service is concluding its inaugural quarter as one of the most successful service launches in Amtrak’s history. Since debuting in August, the route has exceeded expectations across ...

Mardi Gras Service is a reminder that when passenger rail is real and reliable, people use it.

In the Big Sky North Coast Corridor, we see HUGE interest from residents, students, visitors and communities wanting or needing connection!

www.southernrailcommission.org/press-releas...