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The States for Passenger Rail Coalition is urging Congress to fund passenger-rail programs — including high-speed rail — “generously” in 2011.

In a statement to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, coalition members requested that Congress provide $2.5 billion to fund grant requests under the High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program, the same level requested for 2010, $100 million for positive train control and $55 million for the Swift High Speed Rail Grade Crossing Elimination Program. In addition, the coalition supports Amtrak’s request for $2.2 billion in FY2011 funding and believes $1 billion should be appropriated to launch a next generation intercity passenger-rail equipment program.

“The states are ready to step up to the plate in partnership with the federal government to create a better intercity passenger-rail program than ever before,” coalition officials said in a prepared statement.

Established in 2000, the coalition is an alliance of state departments of transportation supports intercity passenger-rail initiatives and advocates for federal funding.