OneRail Coalition Applauds Confirmation of Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation

Written By Sean Jeans Gail

The following statement was issued today by the OneRail coalition, of which NARP is a member:

The OneRail Coalition congratulates Anthony Foxx on his confirmation by the United States Senate as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In his time as Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, Secretary Foxx proved to be an effective public servant and a dynamic leader. Through his advancement of the Charlotte Regional Intermodal Facility, the Southeast High Speed Rail corridor linking Charlotte to Raleigh, Richmond, and Washington, DC, the Charlotte streetcar project, and the LYNX Blue Line light rail system via the Charlotte Metropolitan Transit Commission and the 2030 Transit Corridor System Plan, Secretary Foxx demonstrated an understanding of the crucial role that transportation plays in the economic vitality of this country, and particularly the critical role that both freight and passenger rail play as part of our multi-modal transportation system.

A smooth logistics system with intermodal connectivity and without major chokepoints strengthens the ability of American businesses to compete in the global economy. The nation's privately owned freight railroads are investing billions in their infrastructure and equipment - over $24 billion in 2012 and more than $490 billion since 1980 - to maintain and enhance the world's most efficient and productive freight rail system.

In addition, public investment in intercity and commuter passenger rail infrastructure is critical to meet growing passenger demand, spur economic development and support new business growth. Commuters rail systems alone have grown from 9 in 1980 to 29 today, while Amtrak's intercity passenger rail ridership is at record levels with more than 31 million riders in 2012.

The benefits of rail as a safe, productive, and environmentally sustainable form of transportation that reduces our use of fossil fuel and contributes positively to public health and well-being are clear. The OneRail Coalition believes that rail can and must play a larger role in America's transportation network, allowing people and goods to move efficiently and reliably to their destinations, enhancing productivity, creating jobs, and allowing America to remain the largest and best functioning economy in the world.

We look forward to working with Secretary Foxx in his leadership role at the Department of Transportation.

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The OneRail Coalition is a diverse group of rail stakeholders representing all facets of the rail industry. The Coalition works to expand the awareness of the value and benefits of a strong freight and passenger rail system. Our members include:

• public transportation and passenger rail organizations: American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Amtrak, States for Passenger Rail Coalition (SPRC);
• freight rail associations: American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), Association of American Railroads (AAR);
• rail supplier and contractor associations: National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRCMA), Railway Supply Institute (RSI);
• rail labor: Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), the Rail Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BLET/BMWE), Transportation Communications International Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM), United Transportation Union (UTU);
• rail advocacy and transportation reform organizations: National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), Surface Transportation Policy Project (STTP);
• environmental organizations: National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); and
• rail engineering and supply companies: AECOM, Alstom, General Electric, HNTB, Parsons, and Parsons Brinckerhoff.