WSDOT – 2011 – Washington state to feds: We’re ready to put Florida rail money to work

OLYMPIA – Federal high-speed-rail stimulus funds rejected by Florida could be well spent in Washington on the vital Amtrak Cascades corridor stretching from Oregon to British Columbia, Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said today.

The governor of Florida today announced his state’s rejection of $2.4 billion in high-speed-rail stimulus funding.

“I’ve said many times, if other states don’t want this funding, Washington state is ready to put it to work,” Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “We’ve been committed to expanding and improving high-speed passenger rail not just to increase convenience for passengers, but to promote Washington state as a great place to visit and live. These rail lines take cars off our roads while moving workers and tourists between Seattle, Portland and Vancouver, B.C. These federal funds are an investment in our economy, and support hundreds of construction and operating jobs in our state.”

WSDOT – 2011 – Washington state to feds: We’re ready to put Florida rail money to work.

Filed under: Passenger Rail Politics, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail

Almanac Online : End of the line for Caltrain?

Almanac Online : End of the line for Caltrain?.

Filed under: Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail

Florida’s Governor Rejects Tampa-Orlando High-Speed Rail Line – NYTimes.com

Is anybody surprised?

In the most significant blow yet to the Obama administration’s vision of a national high-speed rail network, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida on Wednesday rejected plans for a high-speed link between Tampa and Orlando, in the process turning down more than $2 billion in federal money.

Florida’s Governor Rejects Tampa-Orlando High-Speed Rail Line – NYTimes.com.

Filed under: Passenger Rail Politics, Regional USA Passenger Rail, United States High Speed Rail

Amtrak starts new San Diego-L.A. express | san, train, service – News – The Orange County Register

Amtrak starts new San Diego-L.A. express | san, train, service – News – The Orange County Register.

Filed under: Amtrak, Regional USA Passenger Rail

Amtrak May Lose Money in Obama Transportation Plan – Bloomberg

Amtrak May Lose Money in Obama Transportation Plan – Bloomberg.

Filed under: Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy

AMTRAK TO ADD 40 COACH CARS TO ACELA EXPRESS UNDER FY 2012 BUDGET PLAN

AMTRAK TO ADD 40 COACH CARS TO ACELA EXPRESS UNDER FY 2012 BUDGET PLAN.

Filed under: Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy