Rail Passengers Submits Reauthorization Blueprint

For Immediate Release (25-07)
Contact: Joe Aiello ([email protected])

Rail Passengers Association Submits Reauthorization Blueprint as House Transportation Committee Kicks off Legislative Process

Washington, D.C.—The Rail Passengers Association submitted its surface transportation reauthorization legislative priorities to the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials yesterday. The document outlined a slate of policies to extend current investment levels in rail, expand America's fleet of modern train equipment, and expeditc project development and construction.

“On behalf of our 127,000 members, donors, and supporters, and the 40 million rail passengers in the U.S., the Rail Passengers Association is pleased to share our priorities and legislative proposals for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization…” wrote President and CEO Jim Mathews. “Our association appreciates the opportunity the Subcommittee has provided for stakeholder groups to share their legislative proposals, and we look forward to working with the Committee to develop this critical piece of legislation.”

Rail Passengers’ reauthorization blueprint focuses on several key policy goals:

• Given the overwhelming demand from States, interstate compacts, regional passenger rail authorities, Amtrak, private sector operators and other eligible entities (including short-line freight railroads), Rail Passengers is advocating for the extension of dedicated funding established by the IIJA for key rail programs at current levels, plussed-up to account for inflation.
• The IIJA directed the FRA to conduct an Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study (LDSS) to evaluate the restoration of daily intercity rail passenger service along (1) any Amtrak long-distance routes that, as of the date of enactment of the IIJA, were discontinued, and (2) any Amtrak long-distance routes that, as of the date of enactment of the IIJA, occur on a non-daily basis. Based upon our participation in the FRA’s Daily Long-Distance Service Study (LDSS), we recommend the formation of a National Long-Distance Rail Service Commission as part of the USDOT to bring together all the Federal agencies with a role to play in building out this new Network, as well as key stakeholders such as tribes, organizations representing state agencies, local elected and appointed officials, rail labor, relevant Class I representatives, and passenger groups.
• Private sector Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) companies have responded to increased investment in the U.S. passenger rail system by dramatically expanding their domestic manufacturing footprints. This has supported thousands of direct jobs, and tens of thousands of indirect jobs through the supporting supply chains.  However, a lack of funding certainty has stunted OEM investment in the U.S., while adding to unacceptably long delivery times for operators and public agencies looking to purchase new trainsets. Amtrak’s procurement for the replacement of the existing Long-Distance fleet isn’t scheduled to begin entering revenue service until at least 2033, and the locomotive Brightline recently lost in a collision with a fire truck in Florida will take three years to replace. The creation of a National Equipment Leasing Pool would generate thousands of new manufacturing jobs for Americans, address significant hurdles to the introduction of new services, and eliminate an obstacle to private-sector operators that is currently limiting competition in the U.S. intercity passenger rail operations market. 
• Rail Passengers is joining with the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition and the Teamsters Rail Conference to support a package of permitting reforms that would speed delivery of rail projects in the U.S., including establishing a “shot clock” for Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) for passenger rail projects, and stipulating that if the lead agency conducting an EIS or EA fails to complete its review in the established timeframe the project can automatically move forward.

Rail Passengers will continue working with allies in the House and the Senate to advance these proposals as the Subcommittee on Railroads establishes a timeline for considering outside stakeholder input and drafting legislation.

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About the Rail Passengers Association: with 127,000 members, donors, and supporters, the Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation, and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible, and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works, and plays in towns all across America.