The Honorable Norman Mineta
Secretary
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh and D Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20560

Dear Mr. Secretary:

As the Administration considers federal policy and funding support for intercity passenger rail, we wish to share with you our strong support for safe, efficient and reliable intercity passenger rail as part of an integrated, adequately financed transportation system. The CONEG Governors strongly believe that the unique planning and funding requirements of a passenger rail network require federal leadership and funding to preserve and further develop intercity passenger rail in the 21st Century.

Intercity passenger rail offers opportunities for improved mobility, options, and access in travel corridors across the nation. Investments which improve the quality of intercity passenger rail service contribute to better performance by other modes and improved economic competitiveness. Intercity passenger rail can also stimulate economic and community development by increasing mobility, creating jobs, and influencing decisions on business and housing location.

The Northeast Corridor and its feeder lines are a critical component of the transportation network which provides mobility and contributes to economic development throughout the Atlantic Coast region. In this densely populated region, passenger rail is an environmentally sound and energy efficient component of a comprehensive transportation system. This Corridor network - a public asset owned by the federal and state governments - is one of the nation's premier transportation corridors as well as the world's most complex and heavily used transportation corridor. Efficient use of the Northeast Corridor and its feeders dramatically affects the overall viability of the highway, aviation and freight and commuter rail transportation networks which serve the region and the nation. For example, using intercity passenger rail for shorter trips in the Northeast helps manage congestion at some of the nation's busiest airports by allowing scarce airport slots to be used for more efficient, longer distance flights. In addition, the recent disruption of the nation's aviation networks vividly illustrates the importance of intercity passenger rail in providing critical mobility in the nation's transportation system, as more travelers continue to turn to intercity passenger rail. Attention should be paid to maintaining the Corridor in safe condition by addressing the backlog of modernization and safety needs, especially by escalating the safety improvements of the critical tunnels accessing Penn Station in New York City as well as in Baltimore. Preserving the critical infrastructure of this multi-state asset is important to the national economy.

We urge the federal government to be a strong consistent partner in providing policy leadership and stable, long-term funding for intercity passenger rail, just as it has for the highways, public transportation, aviation and water transportation systems which promote the efficient movement of people and goods. At the same time, States recognize their responsibility to provide a share of financial investment for services which promote state and regional economies. Throughout the Northeast and Atlantic Coast region, States have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in projects that have improved passenger and freight rail systems serving state, multi-state and national interests.

Intercity passenger rail corridors, with their need for coordinated planning and investment strategies, require predictable, long term federal financing tools which recognize the specific skills, experiences, and institutions of the funding partners. A strong federal partner, stable and effectively designed investment tools, and collaborative institutional arrangements will, over time, enhance the States' ability to build long-term, comprehensive regional rail strategies which can capture the economic, social and environmental benefits of the rail alternative.

Intercity passenger rail has repeatedly demonstrated its vital contribution to the Northeast's transportation system and the region's economic well-being. The model of incremental investment in intercity passenger rail by state, federal and private partnerships is being repeated across the nation. These successes are now jeopardized by the cumulative effects of competing demands on inadequate capital resources. New approaches to generating significant and sustained capital investment are required to ensure safe, reliable and efficient intercity passenger rail service.

As the Congress considers rail funding legislation, the FY2003 budget and appropriations, and Amtrak reauthorization, the CONEG Governors urge the Administration to:

• commit federal policy support for intercity passenger rail as part of the nation's integrated transportation system;
• ensure adequate, sustained and dedicated capital funding to support and maintain infrastructure and other critical assets needed for intercity passenger rail, while preserving the integrity of the Highway Trust Fund; and
• create new program and financing tools which encourage effective federal, state and private sector partnerships for coordinated development and funding of intercity passenger rail corridors.

The Northeast States have gained significant experience and unique insights into the policy, financing and institutional issues facing public and private sector partnerships for intercity passenger rail. We welcome the opportunity for policy staff and transportation officials from our states and the Department to meet and discuss our common interests. We have asked Anne Stubbs, CONEG Executive Director, to contact your office to arrange a meeting as soon as possible.

Regards,

Similar letters were sent to Congressional Leadership.