Two associations call on House-Senate conferees to provide $4 billion for HSR in FY10

Yesterday, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) and Midwest High Speed Rail Association (MHSRA) called on congressional leaders to include $4 billion for high-speed rail in the FY2010 transportation, housing and urban development appropriations bill.

The House's version of the FY10 transportation bill included the $4 billion for high-speed rail; the Senate's version proposed $1.2 billion. Now, a House-Senate conference committee is working to resolve the differences between the two bills.

"The over $103 billion in state requests for high-speed rail funds shows the overwhelming desire for fast trains," said Rick Harnish, MHSRA's executive director, in a prepared statement.

NARP and MHSRA have called on Congress to designate half, or $2 billion, of the proposed high-speed rail funding to acquire new passenger trains. NARP also has released a fleet expansion proposal, which serves as a blueprint to address the lengthy lead-times required for ordering new equipment. The proposal is available by following this link.