Obama reaffirms passenger rail support

[John Ashworth]

July 7, 2008
Obama reaffirms passenger rail support

In a letter to United Transportation Union President Mike Futhey, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has pledged to “push for Amtrak, commuter rail, and public transit system funding, ensuring strong employment levels well into the future.” He also promised to “preserve the sanctity of the Railroad Retirement and Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA),” The UTU, which originally backed Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) for the nomination, was quick to make its peace with Obama and earn the prized “personal letter,” which is dated July 5.

In the letter, Obama reaffirms his previously stated support for Amtrak—he is a co-sponsor of the Passenger Rail Investment and Innovation Act of 2007—and adds transit rail funding to the list. His broader statement on railroads, part of a background paper called “Strengthening America’s Transportation,” also supports the development of high-speed passenger rail and a strengthening of rail freight capacity “because our demand for rail transportation has never been greater, leaving many transportation hubs stretched to capacity.”

RailwayAge

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Believe this when it happens.

I do not think the Americans do - he recently campaigned by rail in one of the primaries in a "railway state" - his theme was "putting America back on the tracks". He lost.