The OneRail CoalitionIntegrating Rail into the Nation’s

Transportation System

Freight Rail Day - 2011Harrisburg, PA

May, 2012

Anne Canby, Director

The OneRail Coalitiona project of the

Surface Transportation Partnership

www.onerail.org1707 L St NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20036202-466-2641

Why a Rail coalition?•

– Elevate the visibility of rail as a key part of the nation’s transportation system

– Bring all rail interests together to speak with one voice

– Integrate rail into national, state, and regional transportation policies, programs, and plans

■ Value of OneRail

■ OneRail  brings passenger and freight rail stakeholders together for the first time.   

■ The coalition supports freight and passenger rail policies to:

■ Building trust among the members

■ Identify benefits for each member

■ Organized & managed as a project of the Surface Transportation Policy Partnership (STPP)

•

➡ boost economic growth ➡create jobs

➡ enhance mobility ➡ improve energy efficiency

➡ reduce climate related emissions ➡ improve people’s quality of life

■ OneRail Focus

■ Visibility➡ Expand visibility of rail as a key component of nation’s transportation

system➡ Build a central hub for rail information (www.onerail.org) ➡ Develop short research/message pieces to tell the ‘rail’ story

■ Outreach➡ Reach out to target audiences to build support for rail

➡ Expand understanding of rail issues (capacity, shared use, safety, etc.)

■ Policy➡ Develop consensus on key policy issues

➡ Assist OneRail members in advocacy efforts re: policy positions on national legislation – surface authorization, appropriations

Members

• American Public Transportation Assn • Amtrak

• Association of American Railroads • Railway Supply Institute

• American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association

• States for Passenger Rail Coalition

• National Association of Railroad Passengers

• National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association

• United Transportation Union • Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen

• Transportation Communications International Union

• Natural Resources Defense Council • Surface Transportation Policy Partnership

Associate Supporters (to date)

Alstom GE Transportation

AECOM HNTB

Parsons Transportation Parsons Brinckerhoff

• SYSTRA

• OneRail Goals

Shape national surface transportation policies, programs and funding to support freight and passenger rail as a key component in transport system

Leverage public & private funding for rail (Amtrak, HSIR, freight)

• OneRail Principles

The U.S. should enact policies and programs that expand public and private investment in freight rail infrastructure

The nation’s passenger rail network must be strengthened and expanded by encouraging the development of safe, affordable commuter and intercity train options for all Americans

Create domestic jobs and spur long-term economic growth through investment in our nation’s passenger and freight rail infrastructure

An ongoing dedicated funding source is necessary to support intercity passenger rail

Federal Funding for Rail

($ in billions)

FY 2012Admin. Req. FY

2013

Senate Approps.

FY 2013

National Infrastructure Investments 0.500 0.500 0.500

High Performance Rail 0.000 1.000 0.100

Amtrak 1.418 1.500 1.450

Operating 0.466 0.400Capital 0.952 1.050

Total $1.918 $3.000 $2.050

High Performance Passenger RailProjects underway in five mega-regions representing 65% of the U.S. population

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADSSLIDE 3

Some Major Recent and Current Corridor and Terminal Projects - Freight RR

Corridor Terminal

BNSFCSXFECNSUP

Source: AAR

U.S. Rail Supply Industry1,758 facilities

Rail Industry Jobs - Pennsylvania

Type of RailroadNumber of Railroads

Number of Employees

Freight 55 9,121

Class I 4 6,622

Short Line & Regional 51 2,499

Passenger 6 6,678

Amtrak 1 2,670

Commuter Rail 1 1,660

Heavy Rail 2 1,387

Light Rail 2 961

Rail Supply Industry Jobs

22,000

Total 61 37,799

■ Key Elements of Administration’s Authorization Proposal

–■ Six year $476 billion program

–■ $47 billion high speed/performance rail program➡ Core express, regional and emerging corridors

–■ Create a Transportation Trust Fund with 3 sub-accounts - rail, transit, highway all with contract authority

➡ $3 billion to expand TIFIA loan program

–■ Paying for the proposal

➡ $231 billion from the Overseas Contingency Operations fund➡ $261 in existing Highway Trust Fund revenue

Key Authorization Issues for OneRail

➡ Section 130 rail‐highway grade crossing safety program

➡ Flexibility for State DOTs to invest in freight rail, maritime, or intermodal projects

➡ Projects of National & Regional Significance (PNRS) program

➡ Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) Program

➡ Rail planning provisions

➡ Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)

➡ Project expediting provisions

➡ Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for operating intercity passenger rail service

➡ Transit and parking commuter benefits parity; and

➡ Alaska Railroad FTA formula funds

➡ University Transportation Centers (UTC) program

• Forging a truly integrated rail agenda– Define a clear sense of desired outcomes & value for each

partner➡ Strong integrated rail network for freight and passenger

– Build trust among the players– Establish a stable funding resource(s)

➡ Public capital

– Be willing to find ways to make ‘it’ work– Identify the benefits for all ‘partners’ as well as national policy

➡ Increase rail share of freight and passenger

– Identify political support/allies➡ Industry suppliers, labor, users

• Rail Community Participation

• Support OneRail policies in surface and other federal legislation

• Help educate a range of audiences about rail’s advantages and benefits

• Outreach to state constituencies to build support for rail

• Help communicate the OneRail message

• Participate in internal coalition discussions

• Thoughts & Questions?www.onerail.org