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