States for Passenger Rail Coaltion


The States for Passenger Rail Coalition is an alliance of State and Regional Transportation Officials who work together to promote the development and growth of Intercity Passenger Rail as part of an integrated national transportation network.

National Passenger Rail Policy Statement

  1. 1. Passenger rail service is essential to the nation.
    • An enhanced intercity passenger rail system is an important mobility alternative, especially for regional corridors, in the face of increasingly congested highway and aviation systems.
    • The events of September 11 and their impact on transportation reinforce the importance of passenger rail service as an essential part of the national transportation network.
    • States support investment in new passenger rail systems and incremental improvements in regional passenger rail corridors to expand ridership, with increased speeds, and additional frequencies on routes.
  2. 2. Federal funding in partnership with states is essential for passenger rail.
    • States have taken, and will continue to take, a lead role in the planning and development of new, expanded and enhanced regional passenger rail corridor services. However, the states cannot fully program and implement these systems without a federal-state funding partnership similar to existing highway, transit and aviation programs.
    • The most critical need in this partnership is a dedicated federal funding program to fund capital investments - infrastructure and equipment - to maintain and enhance regional passenger rail service.
    • Given a strong federal funding mechanism, the states are willing to provide a fair cost-share for capital investment in new, expanded and enhanced regional passenger rail services.
    • Some corridor services are expected to achieve operational self-sufficiency upon full implementation. At the same time, the states will need transitional operating support from the federal government while plans and projects are being built and during start-up periods for new services.
    • Long distance train service provides interconnectivity among regional corridors and essential services to communities along the way. Federal participation in long-distance interconnected routes shall be 100%.

    3. Adopted August 25, 2002

  3. 3. States need to assume key institutional roles in passenger rail development.
    • The states need to play a significant role in the implementation of any future federal funding program. In particular, states seek a strong role in project selection and project management that builds on the expertise already developed in this area.
    • States have partnered with Amtrak for the operation, development and financial support of existing corridor services. The states have a large stake in the successful restructuring of Amtrak, and need to be closely involved in these discussions.
    • Partnerships also must be developed with the nation's freight railroads to address their concerns.

SPRC MEMBERS: