NARP Applauds National Surface Transportation Commission Report

Report echoes NARP’s proposal to strengthen and expand America’ passenger train network

Release #08-01—January 15, 2008

Contact NARP

(Note: links to the report are available at the bottom of this release)

Washington, DC, January 15, 2008 — The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) lent its support to the recommendations for passenger rail outlined in Transportation for Tomorrow, the plan issued today by the bipartisan National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission.

“This long-awaited report takes a hard look at the quality-of-life, economic, environmental, and energy consequences of our current transportation policy and maps out a realistic strategy to address current and upcoming needs,” said Ross Capon, executive director of NARP and a member of the Passenger Rail Working Group.

Capon noted that the passenger rail portion of Transportation for Tomorrow builds on a proposal introduced in June of 2007 by NARP, the largest citizen-based organization advocating for rail passengers.  NARP called on America’s elected officials and policymakers to support a nationwide “Grid and Gateway” train network.  NARP’s vision also includes improved linkages between airports and intercity rail, a concept where the U.S. lags as far behind Europe as in passenger rail development generally.  A map of the proposed “Grid and Gateway” network and information on its benefits are available here on our website.

Transportation for Tomorrow incorporates many of the ideas and routes presented in NARP’s “Grid and Gateway” proposal.  Transportation for Tomorrow also recommends upgrades in frequencies and speeds on specific corridors, phases in proposed rail expansions over several years, and proposes funding mechanisms to implement this vision. NARP singled out specific elements of Transportation for Tomorrow for support, including:

• Comprehensive recitation of the benefits of passenger rail, including for smaller communities with little or no other access to public transport, as well as more commonly cited factors such as the ability to provide travel choices where roads and airports are congested and to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the negative environmental impacts of U.S. transportation overall;
• Passenger train maps, though “for illustrative purposes only,” embracing the concept that all forms of intercity passenger train services should expand;
• Recognition that both passenger and freight trains are vital components of the national transportation system;
• Legislative and funding proposals that would level the playing field among transportation options and allow rational planning and decision making across transportation modes.

“We particularly appreciate the report’s recognition of the importance of serving both urban cores and rural communities,” said Capon. “Polls and studies repeatedly demonstrate that Americans want more passenger trains.”

Capon thanked the Commission, especially Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation Frank Busalacchi, who served as chair of the Commission’s Passenger Rail Working Group.

About NARP

NARP is the largest citizen-based organization advocating for train and rail transit passengers. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by over 23,000 individual members.

Links to the report

The full commission report

Passenger Rail Findings (p.p. 19-24, including national rail passenger maps for 2015 (page 22), 2030 (page 23) and 2050 (page 24)).

State of current system (p.p. 6-7, including current national rail passenger map (page 7))

Current and potential funding sources (p.p. 10-11, 19, 23-24)