Rocket Train from NYC?
Jun 22nd, 2008 by Jervey
[Photo from Gothamist’s coverage]
We’ve been thinking quite a bit about trains lately. So we were excited to here about Bloomberg’s support for a new high-speed (like proper, Euro-styel high-speed) train from NYC to DC. From the Times:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said Friday that he strongly supported the idea of two-hour train service between New York and Washington contained in a bill cosponsored by Rep. John L. Mica of Florida, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The mayor made his statement after meeting with Mr. Mica.
The legislation would require the secretary of transportation to solicit proposals for the financing, design, construction and operation of a high-speed rail system between the two cities, with the goal of “achieving less than two-hour express service.” The proposal was described in The New York Sun today. Amtrak’s Acela express trains currently make the trip in 2 hours 45 minutes.
The Sun followed up a couple of weeks later:
The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 311 to 104 with the backing of New York City’s delegation, calls for $14.4 billion in rail investment in the next five years. Some of those funds could go toward the development of the high-speed passenger train, as well as other local projects, such as a renovated Pennsylvania Station to be named after Senator Moynihan.