Washington, D.C. – The President today signed into law a measure that calls for ushering in a new era of transportation by establishing the nation’s first true high-speed passenger rail service.
“This historic law calls for the dramatic reform of passenger rail service as we know it, and has the potential to establish the first high-speed passenger rail service in the United States,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader John L. Mica (R-FL).
“This measure calls on private sector expertise and resources to participate in the development, financing, operation and maintenance of U.S. high-speed rail,” Mica continued. “This new law can have a meaningful impact on the crippling congestion that affects the entire nation by providing a cost-effective, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly transportation alternative.
“Establishing a high-speed rail system can also play a role in our economic recovery by creating jobs and increasing our strained capacity for freight, air, and highway traffic.”
Mica wrote the provision to allow private sector participation in establishing U.S. high-speed rail service. In addition to the Mica provision, the new law also includes rail safety improvements and a number of reforms within Amtrak.
“Amtrak’s attempt at providing passenger rail service has been a money-loser, and their attempt at ‘high-speed’ service has resulted in lawsuits, equipment shortages, and closing down service. This law provides a tremendous opportunity to reform the nation’s passenger rail service.
“I urge the Secretary of Transportation to move forward swiftly in this effort to create a modern, world-class passenger rail system,” Mica said. “The United States is a world leader in many respects, but it has fallen significantly behind other nations when it comes to passenger rail transportation.”
The law requires the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to solicit high-speed rail proposals for 11 corridors across the country. DOT will convene commissions of stakeholders – governors, mayors, railroads, Amtrak, and labor – to review proposals, and then report its recommendations to Congress. The nation’s 11 high-speed corridors, which have been designated by DOT with Congress’ authorization, are:
- The Florida Corridor;
- The Southeast Corridor.
- The Gulf Coast Corridor;
- The Northeast Corridor;
- The California Corridor;
- The Empire Corridor (in New York);
- The Pacific Northwest Corridor;
- The South Central Corridor (Texas-Oklahoma-Arkansas);
- The Chicago Hub Network;
- The Keystone Corridor (Pennsylvania); and
- The Northern New England Corridor.
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