By Ron Thaniel
July 14, 2003

Chairman of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Amtrak Advisory Council North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Henry Hays testified June 26 before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Railroads Subcommittee on the national need for improved rail infrastructure to bring more efficiency to both the passenger and freight rail industry and improve overall transportation congestion.

As Congress prepares to address the reauthorization of the transportation laws, Hays told the Committee Members that the rail infrastructure found in cities enables American industries to thrive in a competitive global environment.

"Cities are rail hubs, serving as the primary focal point for the entry and exit for goods headed for and from international markets," said Hays.

Hays further noted, "Our country's economic development and necessary growth is threatened by road congestion which delays the delivery of people, goods and services. The nation's mayors believe increasing the utilization of rail is a viable solution to improve our nation's vital transportation system."

"Rail freight is a critical component of our nation's transportation network, but one that is often overlooked. Just as mass transit reduces the number of automobiles on our highways, rail freight reduces the number of trucks that compete with the passenger automobile for road right of way," Hays continued.

Chairman of the Subcommittee Jack Quinn (NY) noted, "Without appropriate investment, the rail system will begin to approach the limits of its capacity in the near future."

"In recent years, the rail industry has come under increasing competitive pressure from other modes of transportation, particularly trucks," said Quinn.

"At the same time, congestion on the rail system has continued to build. Without appropriate investment, the rail system will begin to approach the limits of its capacity in the near future," Quinn noted.

Hays highlighted the need for a substantial increase in federal spending for rail stating "many of our cities do not have the financial resources available to make the needed changes to existing rail infrastructure, primarily because of the extremely high cost of these improvement."

Upgrades to existing rail lines, viaduct repair work, and grade separations can cost in the multi-million dollar range and are unaffordable for cities on their own."

The Amtrak Meeting

Before the hearing, Hays and Amtrak President and CEO David Gunn met to discuss Amtrak's reauthorization schedule.

Hays, as an original member of the Amtrak Mayor's Advisory Council, noted that Amtrak's 5-year plan is by far the most detailed capital plan ever produced by Amtrak, providing exact budgets and schedules for thousands of projects.

Hays wrapped up the meeting with Gunn by stating that Amtrak not only provides critical services to major metropolitan areas, for many rural Americans, Amtrak represents the only major transportation link to the rest of the country."

To read the mayors full text and review Amtrak's 5-year plan, please visit the Conference's homepage at usmayors.org.