Rural Senators focus on heartland transit
November 13, 2009By Sean Barry
How could a new transportation bill revitalize rural and small-town America? That was the focus of a Senate Democratic Steering Committee briefing on “Issues and Innovations for Small Towns and Rural Communities” in the Capitol Visitors Center last Friday.
Transportation for America co-chair and former Meridian, Mississippi Mayor John Robert Smith shared his perspective as chief executive of a mid-sized city in a rural area. During his tenure, Smith initiated a renovation of Meridian’s historic train station, sparking growth and economic vitality in the downtown corridor that is now the “life of Meridian.” The improvements that he championed resulted in $135 million in capital investments around the station, and property values quadrupled in an area previously devoid of residents. More importantly, a vital aspect of mobility was restored for all residents of the area. Knowing firsthand how vital Amtrak service was to Mississippians, especially many traveling on fixed budgets, he helped lead the fight to restore the train route between Atlanta and New Orleans, and has continued his advocacy for passenger rail travel ever since.
Rural and small-town residents throughout the country are seeking more transportation options and want to ensure that they’re not left behind. Briefing panelists emphasized that transportation reform, far from leaving the heartland in the dust, can actually encourage growth and improve quality of life.
For one thing, improving rural transportation helps seniors. In 2000, 23 percent of older adults in America lived in rural areas, and as they age, they risk being isolated in their homes in the absence of adequate transportation infrastructure. 
Broader accessibility is a challenge as well due to long distances some rural Americans must travel to reach employment, groceries and health services. And, intercity mobility remains limited in many parts of the country, cutting people off from friends, family and economic opportunity. During the briefing, Mayor Smith spoke not only about the economic benefits of revitalizing the area around the train station, but also about the transit service that connected low-income residents in Meridian’s HOPE VI housing development, ensuring their access to essential destinations.
Enhancing transportation safety, relieving highway congestion by shifting goods movement to freight rail, investing in public buses and paratransit services and increasing intercity and multi-modal connectivity are some potential solutions for small cities and rural regions. T4 America staff have partnered with National Association of Counties and the National Association of Development Organizations, both of which were represented at the briefing, to help promote these solutions as vital parts of the upcoming transportation bill.
Far from leaving rural America out, a much-needed overhaul to our nation’s transportation policy can in fact provide a needed lifeline and help rural areas and smaller towns succeed as vital, livable places for all.
Rochelle Carpenter of Transportation for America contributed to this report.
States clamor for high-speed rail stimulus funds as applications pour into DC
July 16, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
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| Amtrak Acela 654 Northbound Originally uploaded by Jim Frazier |
When the stimulus passed in February, $8 billion for high-speed rail was added at the 25th hour, at the behest of the Obama administration. In the days since, states have scrambled to prepare their proposals to receive a share of the money, which will be distributed via a process of competitive grants.
When the administration’s blueprint was released in April, President Obama said “high-speed rail is long-overdue, and this plan lets American travelers know that they are not doomed to a future of long lines at the airports or jammed cars on the highways.”
With states competing for their share of the $8 billion to start developing and building high-speed corridors, competition was sure to be tough. As recently as yesterday, we had heard that $93 billion in grant applications were submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Just today, we saw this statement from DOT Secretary LaHood’s office detailing an even higher number: 278 pre-applications for grant funding totaling $102 billion. 40 states and the District of Columbia submitted proposals to get a share of the $8 billion available in the stimulus.
“The response has been tremendous and shows that the country is ready for high-speed rail,” Secretary LaHood said. “It’s time to look beyond our highways and invest in public transportation services like rail, which will enhance regional mobility and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Next up for the DOT and the Federal Railroad Administration is figuring out which of these 278 applications to move forward in the process. The first step will likely be figuring out which proposals best line up with the administration’s already-released blueprint for the 10 national high-speed rail corridors. The first grantees will be announced in the fall, according to the DOT release.
Regarding high speed rail and economic competitiveness
May 7, 2009By Stephen Lee Davis
The Fox Business Channel had Petra Todorovich of the Regional Plan Association and America 2050 — both T4 America partners — in the studio a couple of weeks ago to talk about the prospects for high speed rail in America. Does it make sense? Would it work?
She makes the solid case for high speed rail in the 11 American megaregions where it “could really work,” pointing primarily to the need to invest in a diverse transportation network in those regions to help America stay economically competitive with the rest of the world.
You can’t run an economy if you can’t move people and goods around. And right now our highway system is built out, our airspace is congealing, we have to provide capacity for economic growth, and high speed rail is a way to do it in a low-carbon way; in an energy-efficient way.
It’s interesting to hear the anchor (didn’t catch his name) make the disclaimer noting his personal interest in the issue, because he takes the train to work each day. He says, “I hope it works. I have to admit, it’s one of those stories that I have a personal interest in; just fair disclosure, it impacts me.”
His candor is laudable, but is there someone who would not be affected by the choices we make for our transportation system? While it may not seem like the most pressing issue to many of us, don’t the choices made — or not made — touch us all?
(updated: The video might not show up in RSS for some reason, but you can see it on the post on the T4 site.)
President Bush to sign rail safety bill
October 8, 2008By Andrew Bielak
The White House agrees to sign a bill intended to improve rail safety — a response to the tragic September 12 crash in California — which also includes more than $12 billion in funding for Amtrak. (Los Angeles Times — Steve Hymon)
Congress’ boost to Amtrak fueled by high gas prices, too much traffic
October 6, 2008By Andrew Bielak
A commitment from Congress to spend $13 billion over the next five years to fund Amtrak is sparking an interest in linking the Midwest’s big cities with efficient, clean, high-speed rail. (Chicago Tribune — Jon Hilkevitch)
Bush to Sign Bill to Nearly Double Amtrak Funding
October 3, 2008By Andrew Bielak
The White House plans on approving a bill to provide Amtrak with $13 billion over the next five years, helping the company accommodate the country’s soaring demand for rail travel. (Wall Street Journal — Christopher Conkey)
State rail projects get boost as driving declines
October 1, 2008By Andrew Bielak
The feds throw down $30 million to improve performance and capacity for 15 passenger rail projects across the U.S. (Associated Press — Larry O’Dell)
Road not taken takes on new meaning as motorists drive less
October 1, 2008By Andrew Bielak
New numbers from the U.S DOT show a continued drop in vehicle miles traveled — Americans drove 3.6 percent less in July 2008 than they did in July 2007, and public transportation ridership has increased by 11 percent.
Funding for public transportation is scarce
September 29, 2008By Andrew Bielak
Budget cuts are hitting transit hard in Vermont, despite the increasing popularity of Amtrak and other public transportation agencies.
Senator Holds Up Bill on Train Safety Device
September 26, 2008By Andrew Bielak
Oklahoma Senator Tom Coburn blocks legislation to improve safety for the nation’s trains, objecting to the bill’s $14 billion price tag and a provision giving a funding boost to Amtrak. (Wall Street Journal — Christopher Conkey)
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- Atlanta-area transit system 14 days from shutting down, 2 million rides disappearing
March 17, 2010 - U.S. Transportation Department makes good on promise to ensure our streets are made safer
March 16, 2010 - Obama’s livability programs help rural America too
March 16, 2010 - Transit grants out the federal door, but what about the cuts?
March 8, 2010 - Transit riders in Atlanta face massive cuts, “wholesale restructuring” of service
March 5, 2010
- Atlanta-area transit system 14 days from shutting down, 2 million rides disappearing
The United States of Transit Cutbacks
Driving is down and transit ridership is at record highs. Yet transit agencies across the country are considering layoffs, service cuts and fare hikes. Find out more and learn what you can do to help at t4america.org/transitcuts
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