Dive brief:
- U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., and Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., introduced legislation Monday to invest $205 billion in high-speed rail over five years.
- More than 25 members of the House signed on as sponsors, all Democrats, representing 16 states, including Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Nevada, Oregon and Virginia.
- Moulton and DelBene described the potential benefits of high-speed rail in a news release, including clean transportation between city centers, economic development around train stations and making America more competitive with China
Diving knowledge:
High-speed rail projects have gotten a boost recently with more than $6 billion in federal funds going to two projects in California and Nevada, which are among seven projects in various stages of planning and construction across the country. Those projects also include Amtrak’s effort to revive the dormant Texas Central project to connect the state’s two largest cities, Dallas and Houston.
The Moulton-DelBene plan would invest $41 billion annually, prioritizing applicants for high-speed rail projects based on equity, resilience and potential for economic development. Regions not served by commercial aviation or where the US Department of Transportation subsidizes air routes through the Essential Air Service program would also be given priority, the statement said. The bill would also include incentives for transit-oriented development by state and local transportation agencies and the private sector.
“By investing in a national high-speed rail network, we’re not only easing the strain on our roads and airports and creating safer communities, we’re also boosting productivity and reducing carbon emissions,” DelBene said in a statement
High-speed rail advocates also voiced support for the legislation. Andy Kunz, CEO of the US High-Speed Rail Association, noted in an email that Moulton first introduced the bill in 2021 with three co-sponsors and now has 25 co-sponsors for the reintroduced bill . “The growing support for the American High Speed Rail Act is great news,” he said.
Jim Mathews, president and chief executive of the Rail Passengers Association, said in a statement: “People should have the freedom to choose safe, reliable, fast and environmentally friendly trains as an alternative to congested roads and dangerous and expensive airlines.”
During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee subcommittee hearing in November, members of both parties expressed support for high-speed rail. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, said, “I like the idea of this rail line between Houston and Dallas.”
