U.S. Mayors urge greater US Funding of passenger rail

By Faith Chatham - July 16, 2007
At the 75th Annual Meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, in Los Angeles, June 22-26, 2007, many resolutions were adopted. The following resolution supporting changes in Federal Transportation Policy, urges Federal lawmakers to dedicate more resources toward inter city and intra city passenger rail was one of many resolutions passed at that convention. They argue the Federal government should dedicate more resources to inter-city passenger rail since US DOT now requires cities to help finance long-distance rail. To learn more about the organization visit the US Conference of Mayors website

A NATIONAL INTERCITY RAIL POLICY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS

WHEREAS, congested metropolitan highways, limited options for expanding airport capacity, continued financial deterioration of the airlines, and rising fuel prices are urgent reminders of the transportation infrastructure crisis that is jeopardizing America’s prosperity; and
WHEREAS, September 11, 2001 highlighted that our nation needs viable alternatives to air travel, and it is clear that intercity and long distance passenger rail service is that alternative; and
WHEREAS, intercity passenger rail infrastructure has been underfunded for far too long by the federal government; and
WHEREAS, in the context of increasingly complex, costly and limited alternatives to an impending transportation system crisis, intercity passenger rail provides the opportunity to add capacity to the nation’s congested aviation and highway transportation modes; and
WHEREAS, intercity passenger rail provides a more fuel-efficient transportation option thereby providing cleaner transportation alternatives and helping reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak intercity passenger rail service provides cities large and small with direct economic, social and homeland security interest and is a source of civic pride; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak, America’s national passenger railroad, served a record-setting 25 million passengers last year; and WHEREAS, Amtrak is the largest commuter operator in the nation, transporting more than 60 million commuters per year directly and an additional 348 million riders yearly indirectly through agreements and/or shared operations; and
WHEREAS, for many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the only major transportation link to the rest of the country and is especially important with discontinuance of bus service throughout much of the rural United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to stabilize Amtrak operations, infrastructure, and financials by appropriating Amtrak’s FY08 grant request of $1.55 billion while federal policy makers debate the immediate and long-term authorization for Amtrak; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to establish a sustainable federal passenger rail trust fund, comparable to the highway and aviation trust funds, to provide Amtrak, states and local governments with a reliable source of capital and operating support for intercity passenger rail corridors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to enact tax incentives and pursue other measures to stimulate increased private sector participation to improve crossings, rail stations, and rail infrastructure; acquire rolling stock; offer commuter benefits and
transit-oriented development in support of intercity passenger rail; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on the Administration and Congress to dedicate a portion of any proceeds from the federal issuance of bonds to fund transportation spending to an intercity passenger rail trust fund; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that with the establishment of a sustainable federal passenger rail trust fund, The United States Conference of Mayors recommends to the Administration and Congress that a federal match program for intercity passenger rail corridor operations and capital be comparable to other modes of transportation, generally at 80% federal and 20% state funded, perhaps richer federal match under certain circumstances, to stimulate development where it is most needed, including encouraging intercity passenger rail-airport-transit connections and rail oriented development; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the long distance, including transcontinental passenger trains, form the basis for, and connections to, emerging federal-state supported corridors and provide an important transportation link for many rural communities and regions across the country; therefore, it is the recommendation of The United States Conference of Mayors to the Administration and Congress that the federal government maintain full responsibility for operating and capital; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to delay enactment of long distance performance evaluations or benchmarks until the long distance infrastructure is brought into a state of good condition and numerous freight rail issues, including choke points, have been identified and solved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that with the establishment of a sustainable federal passenger rail trust fund, The United States Conference of Mayors recommends to the Administration and Congress that a federal match program for Northeast Corridor operations and capital be comparable to other modes of transportation, generally at 80% federal and 20% state funded, perhaps richer federal match under certain circumstances, to stimulate development where it is most needed, including encouraging intercity passenger railairport-transit connections and rail oriented development; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to require that the composition of the Amtrak Board of Directors include a mayor of a city selected from among mayors of cities with an interest in passenger rail, especially in light of recommendations in the
Administration’s and Amtrak’s reform proposals that states and locals share the costs of corridor and long distance passenger rail service; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors urges the Department of Homeland Security take financial and operational responsibility for securing intercity passenger rail operations and infrastructure.
pp. 186-187 of Resolutions
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