HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-17-21 Correspondence - High Speed Rail Alliance - Improve Rail Service •
High Speed Rail
Alliance
August 17,2021
Cyndy Andrus
Mayor
City of Bozeman,MT
121 Rouse Ave.
Bozeman,MT 59715
Dear Mayor Andrus,
As you are well aware, Congress is simultaneously working on an infrastructure bill and a budget
reconciliation bill. Here is a quick update on the passenger rail portions of those bills.
Can you get engaged to ensure there are funds to improve and/or expand rail service to your
community?
Fast,frequent and affordable trains are highly efficient and productive tools for linking big cities
and small towns throughout the country. Relatively small investments will yield huge pay backs.
They should play a big role in re-building our communities.
Our Alliance is working towards a visionary federal policy to expand service throughout the
country. We champion the power of networks to build volume and value beyond the sum of
individual "corridors."
The infrastructure bill passed the Senate and has moved to the House with funding for:
• Amtrak
• The Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair
• The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement program (CRISI) and
• A railroad crossing elimination program.
However,the program focused on growth - High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) -
was left out of the bill.
Our goal is to maintain the existing levels of funding in the infrastructure bill and gain funding
for the HSIPR program through budget reconciliation. Several representatives and senators
(mainly on the coasts) are championing this approach.
Will you ask your senators and representatives to do the same? Please urge them to make sure
that funds for all four programs are included in the infrastructure and/or budget reconciliation bill
that is sent to the president.
A sample letter is enclosed. Please add a description of the service improvements you would like
HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE
4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 1 HSRail.org
to see in your community.
When you do write a letter,please send us a pdf copy to Rick@HSRail.orQ with your permission
to include your name at HSRail.org/FastTrackAmerica,where we will be tracking this effort.
Thank you for your considering this request. Please email me at Rick@HSRail.org or call
773-334-6758 to schedule a quick overview of how fast trains would impact your community.
Sincerely,
Richard Harnish
Executive Director
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Sample letter to U.S. senators and representatives
You can download a word version of this letter at http://HSRail.org/Get-Endorsement
I am writing to express my strong support for a major federal investment in rail transportation
infrastructure. As you debate how to invest in America's future, please take into consideration
that right now is the right time for this crucial pivot towards a national network of fast,frequent
and affordable trains.
For too many years, a near-total focus on highways has divided communities, polluted our air
and placed a huge financial burden on families and towns. We can't wait any longer to change
our priorities. Please do all you can to make sure that the upcoming infrastructure package
includes funding for an integrated, national rail program combining high-speed rail, expanded
Amtrak and commuter rail.
It's time to strengthen our local, state and national economies with better mobility. Fast,frequent
and affordable trains create strong social, family and business ties by making travel easy and
productive. Trains give people a safe way to move around at a low cost—with a small carbon
imprint. Trains create a more enjoyable and prosperous life by supporting more walkable, more
financially viable cities and towns.
We have a once-in-a generation opportunity to invest in our nation's infrastructure. We need a
big, bold vision—combined with step-by-step progress. We need collaborations between private
companies and government. We need the newest,high-tech trains.
Please work to ensure that fast,frequent and affordable trains are a big part of the package.