The AAR provides the freight rail industry with a strong, united voice that policymakers listen to while also facilitating the operations, safety, security and standards that make America’s freight rail network the envy of the world. AAR programs are available to freight and passenger railroads as well as any business associated with the railroad industry. AAR has three categories of programs specifically geared toward the needs and the desired level of involvement of individual companies: Full Membership, the Railroad Affiliate Program and the Associate Program. AAR serves members through:

• Policy Making: AAR provides policymakers with the information and perspective necessary to advance sound public policy that supports the interests of the freight railroad industry and ensures it meets America’s transportation needs now and in the future.
• Standard Setting: AAR is the standard-setting organization for North America’s railroads. Through various committees, AAR members establish safety, security, manufacturing and operating standards that provide for seamless network operations.
• Industry Data, Reports & Publications: AAR members have access to our weekly, quarterly and annual publications, which offer economic, financial, policy and general statistical information about North America’s railroads.
• Research & Technology Initiatives: Through its two subsidiaries, MxV Rail (formerly Technology Transportation Center, Inc. (TTCI)) and Railinc, AAR supports research and development projects that enhance the safety, security and efficiency of the railroad industry.

Full Membership

AAR’s full membership is available to railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Full membership includes representation in AAR’s two major governing committees; the Safety and Operations Management Committee (SOMC) and the Policy and Advocacy Management Committee (PAMC). For railroads meeting a certain revenue threshold, full membership might also include a rotating seat on the AAR Board of Directors. Full membership dues are based on revenue. Please contact Kristin Smith directly at [email protected] or 202-639-2341 to discuss joining as a Full Member.

Associate Program

AAR’s Associate Program is for every business that depends on the continued strength of America’s freight and passenger railroads. Through the Associate Advisory Board (AAB), all associates enjoy a formal structure for the representation of their views within AAR — one that enables them to contribute their input and expertise to operational decisions. All associates vote for members of the advisory board. AAR has crafted two program levels, silver and gold, tailored to the needs of your business that keep our industry moving.

Gold Level

The Gold Level package gives organizations an even greater level of interaction with railroad industry leaders, experts and policymakers. Gold associates are eligible to serve on the 12-member Associate Advisory Board (AAB), which is comprised of representatives from associate companies in each of three categories. The Board selects its own chair and solicits nominations from all gold associates to serve as voting members on selected committees reporting to the Safety and Operations Management Committee. It selects representatives for committee assignments from among qualified nominees.

Benefits

• All benefits from Silver Level.
• Eligibility to serve on AAR’s Associate Advisory Board (AAB).
• Eligibility to serve in voting seats on select AAR committees.
• Invitation to a private Gold Associates Luncheon with the AAR Board of Directors.
• Participation in the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill to support AAR’s legislative agenda.
• Opportunities to advertise in select AAR publications.
• Participation in all 10 concentration areas.

Pricing

• Full Year (Jan-Dec): $16,500
• Three-Quarter Year (Apr-Dec): $12,375
• Half Year (July-Dec): $8,250
• One-Quarter Year (Oct-Dec): $4,125

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Silver Level

Benefits

• Access to resources on my.aar.org, including the Digital edition of the AAR Member Directory publication, reports from committee representatives, AAR statistical publications from the Policy & Economics department, archived webinar presentations and annual associates meeting materials. Railroad affiliate logos for company use
• E-mail updates and the monthly newsletter, Rail News
• Invitations to railroad industry events, including the AAR Annual Associates Meeting
• Invitations to the exclusive AAR webinar series
• Discounted rates on AAR and MxV Rail (formerly TTCI) technical publications
• Subscription to Rail Time Indicators
• Subscription to MxV Rail Technology Digests
• Discounted rates at select industry conferences
• Company listings on the AAR website and in the AAR Member Directory
• Eligibility to vote for the Associate Advisory Board (AAB) members
• Eligibility to serve on the Private Car Owner Committee (private car owners only)
• Participation in two concentration areas

Pricing

• Full Year (Jan-Dec): $8,250
• Three-Quarter Year (Apr-Dec): $6,187.50
• Half Year (July-Dec): $4,125
• One-Quarter Year (Oct-Dec): $2,062.50

Railroad Affiliate Program

AAR’s Railroad Affiliate program is available to non-Class I railroads, commuter railroads and railroads located outside of North America. As a railroad affiliate, you have a voice in the operations and the future of the freight and passenger rail industry. With public interest in rail transportation at an all-time high, both freight and passenger carriers will benefit from this program. AAR’s affiliates are led by the Affiliate Executive Board (AEB). The AEB selects affiliate representatives to serve as voting members of select committees reporting to AAR’s Safety and Operations Management Committee.

Benefits

Pricing

Railroad affiliates based in North America pay an annual assessment based on revenues in accordance with the below schedule. Non-North American railroads pay a flat fee of $20,000. Contributions or gifts to AAR are not deductible as charitable contributions; however, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses. Below is the gross annual revenue for freight and passenger carrier.

• Up to $10 million (Freight: $5,000 / Passenger: $2,500)
• $10 Million – $50 Million (Freight: $20,000 / Passenger: $10,000)
• $50 Million – $90 Million (Freight: $35,000 / Passenger: $17,500)
• $90 Million – $150 Million (Freight: $50,000 / Passenger: $25,000)
• More Than $150 Million (Freight: $100,000 / Passenger: $50,000)