More High-Speed Rail Needed in Highway Bill, State Officials Say

摘要

Rail companies and state officials are pushing lawmakers for more high-speed rail money in infrastructure legislation, along with measures to encourage private capital for the industry.House Democrats’ surface transportation bill, proposed June 4, would authorize $547 billion over five years, including $95 billion for passenger and freight rail. Even with historic fundinglevels, groups and officials want additional money for high-speed rail and policy changes, such as increased public-private bonds and grants.The bill “doesn’t go far enough” for high-speed rail and “leaves private funds sitting on the sidelines,” said Ben Porritt, senior vice president at Brightline, a privately funded high-speed railcompany that built a line in Florida.