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The OneRail Coalition recently filed comments with the Federal Railroad Administration on the development of the National Rail Plan, calling on the federal government to ensure that passenger and freight rail are included in assessments for additional system capacity along with highway and aviation options.

Coalition members believe the plan should:

• establish new dedicated funding sources for high-speed and intercity passenger rail;

• recognize the complexities of passenger- and freight-rail partnerships, and recognize that delivering successful new high-speed and intercity passenger-rail corridor services will require significant capital investment, as well as a new level of analysis and consistent communication among and between freight railroads, passenger operators, public officials at all levels of government and other stakeholders; and

• support development of a renewed passenger-rail equipment manufacturing industry through a vision of sustained equipment purchases and equipment life-cycle policies that avoid “boom or bust” procurement cycles.

OneRail Coalition members include the American Public Transportation Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Amtrak, Association of American Railroads, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association and Railway Supply Institute.