Rail Passengers Statement on Re-Introduction of HSR Act

For Immediate Release (24-1)

Contact: Madison Butler ([email protected])

RAIL PASSENGERS CEO JIM MATHEWS’ STATEMENT ON RE-INTRODUCTION OF THE AMERICAN HIGH-SPEED RAIL ACT

Washington, D.C.— Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews issued the following statement, following the Association’s decision to sign on formally to a letter of support for re-introduction of the innovative and transformative American High Speed Rail Act by Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01):

“Rail Passengers Association’s polling shows that 78 percent of Americans want a bigger, better passenger rail network. People should have the freedom to choose safe, reliable, fast, environmentally friendly trains as an alternative to congested and dangerous highways and expensive airlines. Investing new Federal dollars, coupled with Rep. Moulton’s policy innovations around streamlining project delivery and tax incentives for freight railroads, will produce results. The American High Speed Rail Act will not only improve the experience of riders, it will also connect long-neglected communities to the economic benefits fast, safe, efficient mobility brings. Rep. Moulton’s leadership on this issue has been visionary and steadfast, and we support his efforts to give Americans the transportation network they deserve."

“High-speed rail is faster, cleaner, safer, and better for our economy. It will connect people to more jobs in new places, give Americans freedom and choice in how they travel, and put us on par with the rest of the world. This bill is the plan that will get us there,” Congressman Moulton said. “We spend vast amounts of money subsidizing planes, which are delayed by weather, and roads, which are crumbling nationwide. We have the chance to think big and think differently. Let’s not waste the opportunity.”

More than twenty-five Representatives joined Moulton as original sponsors of the bill, including: Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Don Beyer (D-VA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), André Carson (D-IN), Sean Casten (D-IL), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Mark Takano (D-CA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Jesús Garcia (D-IL), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Gwen Moore (D-MD).

This bill will invest $41 billion annually in high-speed and higher-speed rail over five years, through grants administered by the Federal Railroad Administration. It also provides incentives for $38 billion and up in nonfederal funding and introduces policy reforms to reduce costs and expedite project delivery. You can read more about the bill here.

The following organizations have endorsed the American High Speed Rail Act: US HSR Coalition, Rail Passengers Association, American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA); Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BLET-IBT); Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employee Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-IBT); Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC); Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS); International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB); National Conference of Firemen & Oilers, SEIU (NCFO); International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical Division (SMART-MD); International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division (SMART-TD); Transportation Communications International Union (TCU); Transport Workers Union of America (TWU).

###

About Rail Passengers Association

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation, and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible, and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works, and plays in towns all across America.