Amtrak at Climate Week NYC: Modal Shift to Lower Carbon Transport Systems

350 West 33rd Street,New York NY 10001

22 September, 2022

Description

A 2018 UN report identifies rail transportation as a primary way to reduce emissions now and continuously into the future. In addition to being a more energy efficient mode of travel than air travel or automobile, shifting people to trains from other modes reduces traffic congestion and delays as well as the resulting pollution. Consumers think so, too. There is a trend among our customers to make more sustainable travel choices (when available) and survey results indicate Amtrak customers are more likely to switch modes of transportation to help the environment. Yet, public transportation continues to be a non-viable option for many Americans. Close to half of Americans have no access to public transportation and many Americans might live close to public transportation, but find it unsuitable to their daily schedules. So what can we be doing better and how can regulatory and funding changes help us get there? Amtrak Executive Vice President Strategy, Planning, and Accessibility, Dennis Newman, will speak on a panel with the MTA, California DOT, and others on ways Amtrak and public transportation agencies can deliver solutions for a faster, more effective modal shift. The panel will be followed by an interactive Q&A with the audience. This event is wheelchair accessible and there will be an ASL interpreter present.