Statement issued Tuesday:

The American High Speed Rail Alliance (AHSRA) applauds the Administration’s commitment to the development of a national high speed rail network and $53 billion in High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funding in a 6 year surface transportation re-authorization bill.

The Alliance supports the Administration’s commitment to HSR and will work to help Congress and the Administration achieve a dramatic expansion of fast, efficient, environmentally-friendly, congestion-reducing intercity passenger rail in America.

AHSRA welcomes the integration of an intercity passenger rail program into the surface transportation re-authorization process and, most importantly, the Alliance supports the administration’s announcement that: “The proposal will open the door to new public-private partnerships, and attract significant private investment in developing and operating passenger rail corridors.”

The Alliance will continue its efforts to create a positive climate for PPP-financed HSR projects by launching a new PPP High Speed Rail Council that will work to develop opportunities for private investment and participation in passenger rail corridors in the United States.”