WASHINGTON, April 16, 2009 – President Obama presented his vision for a nationwide network of high-speed bullet trains on Thursday while unveiling the federal government’s strategy for increased rail investment as part of a more economically-competitive transportation system.
“A long-term commitment to rail development will provide clean, safe, reliable and efficient travel between America’s population centers,” said John Krieger, the Tax and Budget Advocate at the United States Public Interest Research Group.
“This investment will create tens of thousands of quality jobs in states that have experienced losses in the technology, construction, and engineering sectors over the last decade,” Krieger added.
Congress approved President Obama’s request for $8 billion for high-speed rail projects in The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act earlier this year.
Over the next few weeks it will decide whether to include the President’s request for an additional $1 billion a year in its final budget resolution. According to Obama, this ongoing commitment is vital to developing a high-speed rail network.
The public is already on board with high-speed rail. Passenger rail ridership in the U.S. increased to new records each of the last five years, and last year the total vehicle miles traveled for cars and trucks fell for the first time since the oil crisis of the 1970s. Voters in California approved $10 billion in state funding toward development of a 220 mph route between North and South parts of the state, and eight Midwestern governors have joined forces to propose the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a network of high speed trains with Chicago as its hub.
America’s main economic competitors in Europe, Japan, Korea, and China have invested hundreds of billions to develop thriving high speed rail systems that efficiently and reliably move travelers between destinations while relieving highways and airports of congestion.
“Decades ago, America completed the interstate highway system,” said Krieger. “Now, we face congestion on our highways and in our skies, an addiction to oil, and an overheating planet. We need Congress to follow the President’s lead and make a long-term commitment to high speed rail.”
