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Amtrak officials recently outlined the national intercity passenger railroad's five priorities as Congress begins consideration of the next surface transportation bill.

The next bill, currently under development in Congress, should:
• provide dedicated, multi-year funding for intercity and high-speed rail;
• establish a national investment strategy;
• create a clear and leading role for Amtrak;
• ensure coordinated corridor planning and project execution; and
• address liability and insurance issues.

“The development of intercity passenger rail and Amtrak’s national system should be afforded a significant role in the nation’s federal surface transportation programs,” said Joe McHugh, Amtrak vice president for government affairs and corporate communications, in a prepared statement.

To sustain the nation’s intercity passenger-rail system, and the transportation system as a whole, “it is imperative that Amtrak and other federal rail programs be integrated into a comprehensive and truly multi-modal surface transportation authorization bill,” he said.