2022 NYS Rail Advocates Annual Meeting Videos

The 2022 New York State Passenger Rail Advocates Annual Meeting was held on Saturday, March 12, 2022, via Zoom Webinar.

YouTube Videos of the meeting are available. Click on the graphic below of the segment you wish to view!

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In Video Segment One:

• ESPA President Gary Prophet convened the meeting.

• Jane Brophy, Amtrak's Senior Manager - Government Affairs for the Northeast and Luke Irvine, Amtrak's Empire Corridor Road Foreman based at Niagara Falls, NY, provided informative presentations.

• Jane and Luke took questions from the meeting participants.

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In Video Segment Two:

• Mike Smith, President of the Finger Lakes Railway, talks about the railroad's plans to expand excursion train services for the 2022 tourist season and the potential to operate a new passenger service in Maine.

• Bob Hest, Secretary of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society, talks about the plans for the Adirondack Railroad's 30th Anniversary year of operation, which will hopefully include service to & from Tupper Lake, NY later this summer.

• Mike and Bob took questions from the meeting participants.

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In Video Segment Three:

• Jim Mathews, President/CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, presents on the national passenger rail advocacy perspective.

• Jim took questions from the meeting participants.

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In Video Segment Four:

• Gary Prophet & Bruce Becker addressed participant questions.

• The Association Business Session, moderated by ESPA Executive Director Steve Strauss, was held:
  • The revised Bylaws for the Association were approved
  • The Association's leadership for the upcoming two-year term were elected
  • Membership, social media outreach and financial reports were reviewed.

• NYS ridership stats were reviewed.

• Upcoming 2022 - 2023 scheduled ESPA meetings were highlighted.

• Gary Prophet & Bruce Becker addressed additional participant questions and comments before Gary wrapped-up the meeting.