Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House today approved the first steps towards developing true high speed rail and the next generation passenger rail service in the United States.

H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, passed the House with strong bipartisan support.  The bill includes a proposal by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader John L. Mica (R-FL) to finally develop high speed rail in this nation, first between Washington, DC and New York City, and then in other corridors around the country. 

“This bill is a historic step toward the realization of high speed passenger rail in this country.  Despite its success in many countries around the world, high speed rail remains an undeveloped transportation option in the United States,” Mica said.

“With soaring fuel costs and escalating congestion, true high speed rail can provide Americans with a cost-effective, environmentally friendly transportation alternative and free up critical highway capacity and airspace.

“This bill will allow us to take advantage of the resources and expertise of the private sector in addressing our vast transportation infrastructure needs.  This legislation will also create good jobs and seek to maximize economic development of a greatly underutilized federal asset: the Northeast Corridor,” Mica added.

The bill passed the House today by a vote of 311 to 104.

“The American people are desperate for alternatives to escape gas prices and the long commutes that define our workdays,” said Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Ranking Republican Bill Shuster (R-PA).  “For far too long, America has stood by as our European and Asian trade partners invested in high speed rail.  This landmark legislation removes America from the sidelines and makes us a global competitor for high speed rail.

“But high speed rail isn’t the only important improvement in this reauthorization.  This legislation reduces waste and increases accountability by requiring Amtrak to identify its worst performing routes and opens them to private sector investment to make them efficient,” Shuster said.

The legislation initially calls for development of two-hour high speed passenger rail service between Washington, DC and New York City, followed by other corridors throughout the country:

• The Department of Transportation will solicit proposals for financing and development of the DC-NYC high speed rail link.  
• Proposals will require DC to NYC express service of no more than 2 hours.
• DOT will convene a commission of state, local, federal, rail and rail labor stakeholders to evaluate the proposals and report its recommendations to Congress.
• Congress will evaluate the Commission’s report and take the necessary action to commence work on the corridor.
• The DC/NYC link will serve as a pilot for similar projects across the United States.  The Secretary may request proposals for other corridors after selection of the NEC proposal.
• The proposal includes labor protections.
• The provisions require a study of how to achieve maximum economic utilization of the Northeast Corridor, in order to fully utilize this invaluable federal asset.

In addition, the bill reauthorizes Amtrak for five years and includes reforms of the current Amtrak bureaucracy.  The legislation also increases the authorization for state grants to support passenger rail operations.  Amtrak operations and passenger rail service throughout the nation will be improved by provisions that:

• Reduce waste at Amtrak by imposing important reforms, including an improved financial accounting system, development of a five-year financial plan, and improved Amtrak management accountability.
• Authorize over $500 million per year for an innovative state grant program for passenger rail projects.
• Allow private operators to launch a pilot program for new passenger service on freight-owned tracks on the worst performing Amtrak lines.
• Require the federal government to work with the states and railroads in planning rail infrastructure.  This will empower the states in deciding where to spend new infrastructure dollars.
• Extend Buy America protections to ensure that our infrastructure is built and operated using items made by American industries.

“The development of high speed rail transportation for this nation is overdue.  This bill addresses needed reforms at Amtrak and, at long last, launches passenger rail transportation in the United States into the current century.” Mica said.

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