2019’s Railroad Day Successfully Conveys Industry Message
Railroad Day was a resounding success, as 350 meetings with congressional offices resulted in substantive conversations on extending the short line tax credit, the impact of heavier and longer trucks, and the commitment to a balanced regulatory environment to ensure the success of the railroad industry.
“This is the single day that the whole industry comes together to exercise our first amendment rights, to petition our government on issues that are important to us and to the customers and communities we serve,” said Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. “Railroad Day sets the table for substantive conversations with Congress on a variety of issues that will confront them in the back half of 2019 including infrastructure, surface transportation reauthorization, appropriations, trade and more.”
Social media generated 804 uses of #railday2019, potentially reaching 1.5 million people, with many member offices tweeting about visits including Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson and Representative Jody Hice, Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Daniel Lipinski, Indiana Representative Greg Pence, Missouri Representative Vicki Hartzler, New York Representative Chris Collins and Ohio Representative Troy Balderson. In addition, many member offices ‘liked’ ASLRRA’s tweets concerning important topics, people and events of the day.
Following a full day of meetings, more than forty congressional offices were represented at the evening reception at Union Station. In addition, all three members of the Surface Transportation Board – Ann Begeman, Martin Oberman and Patrick Fuchs – attended.
Railroad Day photos may be viewed here.