February 14, 2011

The United States Conference of Mayors President Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth B. Kautz has asked Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Macon Mayor Robert Reichert to co-chair a new Task Force on High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail.

The primary objective of the Task Force is to build a compelling argument that including a robust high-speed intercity passenger rail program in the reauthorization of the federal surface transportation law is a historic opportunity to modernize America’s transportation network, put people back to work, spur economic development, and reduce our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Mayor Dyer and Mayor Reichert are convening the first meeting of the Task Force through a conference call on Thursday, March 3 from 3:00-4:00 PM EST. The call-in number is 1-800-569-1949; the pass code is 535498#.

They are inviting all member mayors who would like to be members of the Task Force to participate. Over the next 90 days, the Task Force will meet with transportation stakeholders, will discuss the issues, and will prepare policy for consideration at the Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in Baltimore.

The Conference of Mayors has had a long'standing interest in high-speed intercity passenger rail. We are pleased to be working with the Obama Administration and Congress in shaping a national high-speed intercity passenger rail program, which within 25 years, Americans could have the option of traveling from city to city by high-speed trains. Please contact Conference of Mayors Assistant Executive Director for Transportation Policy Ron Thaniel to let us know if you plan to be on the call and if you have any questions. Ron Thaniel can be reached at rthaniel@usmayors.org or (202) 861-6711.