FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2021
CONTACT
Mike Friedberg
202-469-5131
(Washington, D.C.) – The Coalition of the Northeast Corridor (CNEC) applauds President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 discretionary budget request to Congress, which prioritizes important funding for passenger rail along the Northeast Corridor (NEC). More specifically, the budget request calls for:
$2.7 billion for Amtrak, a 35 percent increase from FY 2021, to improve and expand infrastructure along the NEC and the Nation’s passenger rail network more broadly
$625 million for a new passenger rail competitive grant program to provide a competitive, low-carbon option for intercity travel
$375 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grants
“As witnessed in the FY 2022 budget request, President Biden understands the importance of investing in passenger rail,” said CNEC Executive Director Michael Friedberg. “Not only does passenger rail provide a safe and reliable form of transportation but it also reduces highway congestion, shortens commute times, creates important employment opportunities, bolsters regional economies, and provides a low-carbon transportation option that is in line with the administration’s climate goals.”
CNEC is the business community’s voice for strengthening rail infrastructure in order to reduce congestion, create jobs and grow the economy. We represent diverse stakeholders who rely on the Corridor to conduct commerce, access customers, and transport employees.
Comments