Connecting America: Making the Case for Intercity Rail

Imagine traveling quickly and conveniently between cities, avoiding congestion on the highways and at the airports. Imagine being able to fly across the country, and catch a train at the airport that takes you to your final destination, all with just one ticket. Imagine a reconnected America, with a variety of affordable and convenient transportation choices for traveling between regions. We are at a time in history when such scenarios need not be just imagined, but realized. Now is the time for America to reinvest in rail to reconnect our communities; to improve our national transportation network for efficiency, security, and safety; and to help spur economic growth. Rail passenger service in the United States is in the midst of a renaissance at the local and regional level, yet is facing critical policy decisions at the national level. Ridership on our commuter rail, regional rail transit, and intercity rail systems continues to increase dramatically. The development of rail passenger service merits support and should continue to be the focus of attention at all levels of government.