Washington, DC – The Committee will examine the future of high-speed passenger rail in the nation’s Northeast Corridor (NEC), including the key roll of private sector participation, during a hearing on Thursday.
Thursday’s hearing not only continues the series of hearings held throughout the 112th Congress on private sector involvement in passenger rail, high-speed rail in the NEC, and how best to utilize this valuable asset, it also follows up on the first Committee hearing of the 112th Congress, which Chairman Mica held in New York City’s Grand Central Station on January 27, 2011 to focus on the potential for high-speed rail in this corridor.
The NEC is one of the most valuable transportation assets in the United States, providing a continuous link between the major population centers of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. The corridor represents the best opportunity for true high-speed rail in the United States. The region itself has all the requirements for a successful high-speed rail system, due to its regional population, regional economy, interconnectivity, and congestion concerns.
In today’s fiscal climate, the private sector must play a critical role in any potential NEC high-speed rail development. The private sector can become involved in a number of ways, be it through station development, operations, or public-private partnerships.
Thursday’s hearing will bring stakeholders together to examine the developments regarding high-speed rail in the NEC during this Congress and the options for private sector participation going forward. More information on the hearing can be found here.
WHAT: Hearing of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), Chairman
“Northeast Corridor Future: Options for High-Speed Rail Development and Opportunities for Private Sector Participation”
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 13, 2012
WHERE: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
A live webcast of the hearing will be available here
WITNESSES:
• The Honorable Karen J. Hedlund, Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration
• The Honorable Joseph Boardman, President and CEO, Amtrak
• The Honorable Joan McDonald, Chair, Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission; Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation
• Dr. Richard Geddes, Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
• Mr. Perry Offutt, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
• Mr. John Tolman, Vice President & National Legislative Representative, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
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