Whilst genuinely appreciating all of your previously posted replies to my query, I have decided not to proceed to join the NARP. Did more "due diligence" by investigating its website more deeply, and found it wanting. First of all, I can do my "lobbying" directly to my elected Congressmen (national, state, and local). Secondly, there is no life membership option, and I refuse to have to "re-up" every year for decades to come. Thirdly, it has no "magazine" per se, but rather provides members only a newsletter, probably mostly given over to political polemics. Fourth, its 10% offered Amtrak discount does not apply to me, because it is not valid if the member has other discounts, as I do. Fifth, I do not need (another) bumper sticker nor "membership card." I shall pass.
But thanks to each of you for sharing your information thereof.
If you benefit by itemzing your deductions when calculating your income tax, you may deduct the cost of your dues (and any further contribution) for membership in the NARP.
Johnny
Thank you, "oltmannd" and "henry6", for your concise recommendation re: NARP. Looks like that is where I should join like-minded national traveling passengers, hopefully becoming more knowledgeable through its published material, though I am normally averse to the politicking aspect. Whatever.
NARP is the largest, and probably the only, organization with a national scope on rail passenger service. However there are state and regional organizations, too, aligned with NARP. Google or Bing rail passenger orginizations with your state name and you might find something. Otherwise NARP does have a magazine and memeber priviliges.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
I think NARP will get you 10% off Amtrak fares, but AAA will, too, so there's nothing extra good about it.
Their primary function over the years has been that of a lobbying group that supports Amtrak funding.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
New as I am, would one (or more) of you please be so kind as to recommend a train passenger organization of which I might become a member? A brief troll through the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) website does not clearly state the benefits of membership (publications, newsletters, magazines, etc.), nor even dues or membership levels. Are there other such organizations that would be of interest to a rail traveler, such as I? Thanks in advance for your replies.
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