|
|
 |
|
|
Senator Bruno's plan for high-speed rail was greeted with enthusiasm by members of the Center for Economic Growth.(High-resolution image) |
Slashing Travel Time is Key to Accelerating Upstate Economy
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today unveiled an ambitious plan to link Upstate cities with high-speed trains, dramatically reducing travel time, stimulating new employment and firmly establishing New York�s place as a national transportation innovation and technology leader.
In his "State of the Capital Region" speech delivered to more than 100 local business-leader members of the Center for Economic Growth, meeting at the Albany International Airport, Senator Bruno outlined his vision for bringing to New York trains that travel 200 mph or faster, like those already operating throughout Europe and Asia.
Amtrak�s future is very much in doubt because the proposed federal budget would eliminate Amtrak�s subsidy. New York�s representatives in Washington, including Congressman John Sweeney and Senator Charles Schumer, are fighting to protect federal funding for Amtrak.
"Rail service is critically important for New York, especially along the busy route from the Capital Region to New York City, but we can�t rely on Amtrak," Senator Bruno said. "We have to have a plan in place for rail service that provides fast, reliable service. We�ve made improvements to highways and bridges, we�ve improved airline service and facilities, and we cannot ignore high speed rail service because it�s too important for New York�s economic future."
Establishing high speed trains could slash the travel time from Buffalo to New York City from over eight hours today, to little more than three hours. Train travel between Albany and New York City would take just 1-1/2 hours.
"Today, it takes almost exactly the same amount of time to travel by train between Albany and New York City as when steam engines plied the New York Central �Water Level Route� in the 1950s," Senator Bruno said. "To achieve our goal of remaking New York as the nation�s technology capital, we must invest in faster, more reliable and affordable transportation technology that can speed people and products between Upstate New York and the nation�s business centers."
Senator Bruno said he would seek to include $5 million in the 2005-06 State Budget to study the feasibility of such a system, estimate its total cost and begin planning so that high speed rail could be part of next year�s State budget.
"As he has for his entire tenure as our Majority Leader, Senator Bruno understands the needs of the business community and takes bold action to meet those needs," Kelly Lovell, President of CEG said. "His vision for high speed Rail service will open Tech Valley to the financial center of New York City and the technology centers of Boston, Montreal and points west. This will serve our business community well and as importantly will enable greater collaborations and investments to be lured to Tech Valley."
A 1997 Federal Railroad Administration study already cited Upstate New York as one of two regions in the nation best suited for high-speed rail, and said that such a system would be cost-effective, recovering nearly all of its investment from fares over an extended period. Discussions in Washington on the future of Amtrak may also make available hundreds of millions of dollars that could be used to offset initial planning and construction costs.
Senator Bruno cited benefits of statewide higher-speed train travel that include making Upstate cities more attractive for new technology businesses with jobs to help lure young people and families back to Upstate communities; expanded tourism opportunities; new, lower cost alternatives to air travel for families and businesses; a healthier environment from reduced reliance on automobiles; an improved quality of life for all New Yorkers, and thousands of new jobs that will be created during construction of the new system.
High-speed rail travel in the United States is limited to Amtrak�s Acela service between Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. Other states, including California, Florida, Ohio and Texas, have begun planning their own high-speed systems, but none have begun construction.
Such trains operate regularly in England, Germany, Japan and other countries throughout Europe and Asia.
Senator Bruno did not set a timetable on launching the new high-speed service, but noted that the state already has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in rail improvements throughout the state that could benefit such a system.
[BIOGRAPHY] [DISTRICT MAP] [PHOTO GALLERY] [LEGISLATION] [CONSTITUENT SERVICES] [YOUR OPINION COUNTS] [GUESTBOOK] [PRIVACY POLICY] [SENATE INSIDER] [CONTACT INFO] [HOME/NEWS]