Rail industry offers mixed reviews of House INVEST bill

The U.S. House yesterday passed the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act, a five-year, $715 billion surface transportation bill.

The legislation calls for $95 billion for passenger and freight rail, including $32 billion for Amtrak and investments to renew and support service on the Northeast Corridor, long-distance and state-supported routes.

The rail industry’s reaction to the bill's passage was mixed.

In a prepared statement, Association of American Railroads President and Chief Executive Officer Ian Jefferies said the legislation included the "same misguided, divisive policies" that were included last year in House Democrats' failed surface transportation legislation.

"At the same time, the strong bipartisan efforts in the Senate — supported by the president — are progressing toward consensus legislation that will make significant, long overdue investments and pay dividends for generations to come," Jefferies said. "Now is the time for thoughtful, broadly supported infrastructure solutions, and bipartisan legislation remains the best path to achieving those."

Meanwhile, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker said the bill contains a few beneficial provisions for short lines, but it also contains some “troubling provisions that will constrain short line growth, efficiency and investment opportunities."

Baker's full statement can be read here.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas praised the House bill and its $109 billion for public transportation and $100 billion for commuter rail, Amtrak and other high-performance rail.

"The INVEST in America Act also addresses the environmental and sustainability challenges facing our communities, nation and the world," Skoutelas said in a prepared statement. "H.R. 3684 also reflects key pillars of APTA’s surface transportation authorization recommendations, addressing the $105 billion state-of-good-repair backlog, and providing the necessary investment to meet growing demand by funding all projects in the Capital Investment Grant pipeline."