Fattah Applauds Amtrak's Bold High Speed Rail Plan as 'Game Changer' and Commits to Ensuring Funding

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Chairman of the Congressional Urban Caucus and Pennsylvania's senior member on the House Appropriations Committee, issues the following statement about Amtrak's plan to build a high speed rail line in the Northeast Region.

"I commend Amtrak for its bold vision to build a high speed rail line along the Northeast Corridor. This $117 billion, 30-year plan will dramatically reduce travel times between Washington, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. Travel time along this new line will be 96 minutes between Washington and New York, and under an hour from Philadelphia to either city.

"As Amtrak projects record ridership in 2010, this plan would significantly increase Amtrak's capacity and allow it to meet the demands of the growing Northeast Corridor. Moreover, it would result in 40,000 full-time construction jobs, 120,000 permanent jobs, and would generate an annual operating surplus of $900 million.

"I am committed to ensuring that this project gets the funds it needs in order to move ahead. This line is a game changer for the Philadelphia region and would spur job creation, economic growth, and the reduction of carbon emissions. The nation needs more win-win projects like this - projects that invest in the country's infrastructure while creating good high paying jobs."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

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