Next steps for Passenger Rail. Im glad to convene this hearing with my friend and colleague Ranking Member cantwell. I welcome or panel of witnesses and thank them for hearing. We will hear from richard anderson, president and ceo of amtrak. Ian jefferies, president and ceo of the association of american railroads. Jim sube, commissioner of the southwest chief and Front Range Passenger Rail commission. And jennifer hamade, board member, National Transportation safety board. I continue to be a strong support of our rail industry, freight and passenger. Rail service is safe and efficient and also reduces congestion of our highways and spurs economic growth. In mississippi, for example, we have 26 Freight Railroads. 2,400 miles of track, five of the seven class ones, two Long Distance amtrak routes, two stations and more than 100,000 annual riders. Rail is vital to mississippi. I have been a tireless advocate for the restoration of the gulf coast Passenger Service which was suspended in 2
Amtrak. Ian jefferies, president and ceo of the association of american railroads. Jim sube, commissioner of the southwest chief and Front Range Passenger Rail commission. And jennifer hamade, board member, National Transportation safety board. I continue to be a strong support of our rail industry, freight and passenger. Rail service is safe and efficient and also reduces congestion of our highways and spurs economic growth. In mississippi, for example, we have 26 Freight Railroads. 2,400 miles of track, five of the seven class ones, two Long Distance amtrak routes, two stations and more than 100,000 annual riders. Rail is vital to mississippi. I have been a tireless advocate for the restoration of the gulf coast Passenger Service which was suspended in 2005 after hurricane katrina. With funding support from d. O. T. , amtrak and the states, i am please today report that mississippi, louisiana, and alabama are likely once again to have this amtrak route and that will give mississippi
We did also ensure they would make progress towards the equity goals that they were coming up short on when we did our mid point evaluation. Again, this will expire in less than four months. Before then, if this board a proves an ongoing permit program and staff expects to bring you something before october 15th, to improve the program birdscoot would have to apply just like anybody else for a new permit. So this current permit will end in october. We are, as we told you when we brought the mid point evaluation, using all of what were learning as an ongoing program. So just wanted to give you a little back story on that. Another one you may have heard of but just wanted to give you an update on, that theres a lot to say is being called faster bay area. Formally known as mega measure. Its an effort to advance a revenue measure on the order of 100 billion to a ballot across the region as early as november of 2020. It is an effort thats being led by some of the Large Employers in the regi
Routes, 10 stations and more than 100,000 annual riders. Rail is vital to mississippi. I have been a tireless advocate for the restoration of the gulf coast Passenger Service. It was suspended in 2005 after hurricane katerina. With funding support from dot , amtrak in the states im , pleased to report that mississippi, louisiana and alabama are likely again to have this amtrak route and that will give mississippi a third amtrak route. Restoration of the service would support growing populations centers, connect tourist destinations, bring new jobs and improve the regions quality of life. This will make a positive difference for the communities and the people of the mississippi gulf coast. This hearing provides opportunity to examine the state of Passenger Rail and consider how to support existing routes like the southwest chief and restore gulf port gulf coast service. In i introduced along with 2015, senator booker the Railroad Reform enhancement and efficiency act which reauthorized
Something before october 15th, to improve the program birdscoot would have to apply just like anybody else for a new permit. So this current permit will end in october. We are, as we told you when we brought the mid point evaluation, using all of what were learning as an ongoing program. So just wanted to give you a little back story on that. Another one you may have heard of but just wanted to give you an update on, that theres a lot to say is being called faster bay area. Formally known as mega measure. Its an effort to advance a revenue measure on the order of 100 billion to a ballot across the region as early as november of 2020. It is an effort thats being led by some of the Large Employers in the region along with Large Employer organizations such as the bay area council, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and spur. Their intent is to think boldly about future regional transfer needs with the focus on regional conductivity and modeled on or inspired by what los angeles and seatt