Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

In my role as Ranking Member of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, I have been at the forefront of shaping our nation's transportation policy while ensuring that western and central Massachusetts receive its fair share of transportation dollars.

Here are some examples of my top transportation priorities:

Public Transportation - As high fuel prices return, demand for public transportation is increasing as riders seek to lower their commuting costs. With this increased demand we must ensure that as many people as possible have access to dependable and affordable public transportation. That is why during the 110th & 111th Congresses while I was Chairman of the Appropriation Subcommittee, we provided a record level of funding to expand public transit services. In particular, Commuter rail access is a significant issue for many residents of the western and central Massachusetts. I am very pleased that over the years I have been able to secure millions of dollars to make rail travel a more practical and appealing option for many in my district. For example, the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line project will make significant infrastructure improvements that will reduce travel time from Fitchburg to Porter Square while making the trip more commuter-friendly.

Modern Rail Network -- Living along our Nation's most densely populated megalopolis, we are confronted on a daily basis by the associated transportation consequences - congested highways and airspace, increased travel delays, and environmental degradation. Due to the limitations on our current infrastructure, it should be clear that we cannot build our way out of these mobility problems with new roads and airports alone. Rail must play an integral role in our nation's transportation policy. To this end, I have been a strong supporter of AMTRAK and for developing a modern high speed rail network.

* AMTRAK - I believe that we must continue to invest in our nation's inter-city rail system. Beyond giving travelers more options, AMTRAK keeps cars off already congested roads and provides an environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. In fact, on a passenger-miles basis, AMTRAK is 17 percent more energy-efficient than air travel and 21 percent more efficient than automobile travel in terms of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Looking to the future, I believe we must move beyond simply keeping AMTRAK afloat and we should invest in modest capital improvements to implement higher speed rail within 100- to 500-mile corridors in this country. That would make train travel a more attractive option than driving or flying in many areas where it is currently not.

* High Speed Rail -- I am incredibly proud of the effort to develop a modern High Speed Rail network. During the past two years, over $10 billion has been awarded to projects across the country to build passenger rail service that is competitive with other modes of transportation. This initiative has the potential to transform travel in the United States, but we must recognize that like the Interstate Highway System that took over five decades to complete, the vision for HSR won't be built in a day.

* Connecting Transportation Networks -- In addition to expanding and modernizing our transportation systems, it is equally important that we have efficient connections between networks so that travelers can effectively access the transportation options available to them. Multi-modal transit centers serve as the centralized hubs, linking different forms of transportation, such as rail, intercity buses, transit buses and cars. Transit centers can also attract new businesses, create jobs and revitalize downtown centers. I have secured funding for six transit centers in the First Congressional district - Athol, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Fitchburg, Franklin County and Westfield.

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