Rep. Nadler Urges Adoption of Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act

Moynihan Station Project Would be Eligible to Apply for State Capital Grant Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), the highest ranking member from New York to serve on the Transportation Committee, today urged his colleagues to support H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act.  That bill, expected to be voted on today, would modernize and expand Amtrak and other intercity passenger rail service and infrastructure.

The bill specifically authorizes $2.5 billion for a new State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail projects. Rep. Nadler ensured that the legislation was written so that projects, such as Moynihan Station in New York City, are eligible to apply for these grants.

“We need to support not just the tracks, but also the stations that comprise our national rail system,” said Rep. Nadler.  “And, we have to recognize that New York’s Penn Station - the largest station in our passenger rail network and the hub of the Northeast Corridor – is at capacity.  I am pleased that projects like Moynihan Station will be eligible for federal funding as a result of this important bill.”

Congressman Nadler’s prepared floor statement on the bill follows:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I rise in support of this bill, HR 6003, which will reauthorize Amtrak, create a state grant program for intercity passenger rail, and invest in high-speed rail corridors for a total of $14.4 billion over the next five years. I would like to thank Chairman Jim Oberstar, Chairwoman Corrine Brown, Ranking Member Mica and Ranking Member Shuster for moving this bill through the committee and to the floor so quickly.

“This bill is long overdue. For years, Amtrak has been under funded and threatened with bankruptcy. For the last several years, Amtrak has received just enough money to maintain its system while many critical capital improvements have had to be postponed. According to a 2005 assessment, Amtrak has a backlog of $4.2 billion in capital investments, which rises to $6 billion if you include the necessary bridge and tunnel improvements. Even with adequate funding it will take approximately ten years for Amtrak to complete the work to bring its system into a State of Good Repair.

“We cannot afford to play ‘catch-up’ with our rail transportation system. Certainly not as gas prices continue to skyrocket and we have to look for ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming. Ultimately, nobody should have to travel by air between cities less than 400 miles apart. We should set a national high-speed rail policy that moves us in that direction. This Amtrak bill is a good start as it authorizes the investments necessary for Amtrak to eliminate its backlog, and by authorizing $1.75 billion specifically directed to 11 high-speed rail corridors.

“This bill is also of particular benefit to Northeast and to my home state of New York. In addition to the investments in the Northeast Corridor, the bill also authorizes $2.5 billion for a new State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail projects. I am particularly thankful to the committee for structuring this program so that projects, such as the Moynihan Station project in New York City, are eligible to apply for these grants. Penn Station, in my district, is the largest station in the passenger rail network and it is the hub of the Northeast Corridor. It is basically at capacity. If we are to increase rail traffic we have to look beyond just the track space between cities to improving the stations at each end of the line. I would like to thank Chairman Oberstar for working with us to ensure that the language is written in such a way so that projects like Moynihan Station are eligible.

“Investing in high-speed rail is an urgent issue. We must accelerate investment in our rail infrastructure. This bill finally starts to authorize rail investments at an adequate level, and it makes eminent sense as part of a rational energy and transportation policy. I urge all of my colleagues to support it.”