Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Toured the American Seating transportation plant, which makes bus and rail seats, and discussed with workers company leadership; local, regional and statewide dignitaries; and the Obama administration's plan to help businesses bring manufacturing jobs back to America by eliminating incentives to ship jobs overseas and offering tax credits for insourcing.

Following a nearly two-year, $37.7 million renovation, the Wilmington Amtrak station was rededicated and renamed in honor of the Vice President, a long-time rail commuter.

Thursday's awards will serve as a down-payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country.

Vice President cites airport delays, road congestion, volatile fuel prices, increased environmental awareness, and a need for links between growing communities as reasoning.

To date, $48.1 billion has been made available for highway, road, transit, bridge and airport construction and repairs nationwide. Of that, $30.6 billion already has been obligated to fund 10,041 approved projects in 53 U.S. States and Territories, with 6,547 transportation projects underway.

The program will offer grants for both planning and construction and includes an $8 billion competitive grant program and a continuing $1 billion annual investment proposed in the President’s budget.

No rep. from Nev. at HSR conference. Congress: Florida risks losing future funding. Northern Calif. transit faces service cuts.

Session was an opportunity for state leaders to share their ideas with the Obama administration about the future of high-speed trains in America.

The plan identifies two types of projects for funding. One would create new corridors for world-class high-speed rail like the kind found in Europe and Japan. Another would involve making train service along existing rail lines incrementally faster.

Others present included Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN); Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood; Education Secretary Arne Duncan; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan; Agriculture Secretary Kenneth Vilsack, and former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale.