BOSTON - Senator Kerry today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act. The Act, which Kerry co-sponsored, provides Amtrak with funding to improve railroad tracks and stations across the Northeast Corridor, and requires reforms that will reduce costs as well as train delays.

 
“For 150 years, trains have connected America’s cities and served as much needed economic stimuli for communities across the nation.  In recent years a Republican Congress stood in the way of investing in and modernizing our railways. On Tuesday, the Senate reversed this trend, fully funded the Northeast Corridor, and took steps to ensure that years into the future passenger rails will continue to get Americans where they need to go in a quick, safe, and efficient manner. This Act is a smart economic investment for our state,” said Senator Kerry. “I’m proud to be a co-sponsor and will continue to work to improve passenger rail service throughout Massachusetts and across the country.”

 
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