Midwest High Speed Rail Association thanks Biden

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association praised Vice President Joe Biden for doubling down on his commitment to federal investment in passenger rail on Wednesday. Biden visited Cleveland to celebrate new federal investment in the improvement and renewal of the rail transit infrastructure at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Rail Complex, known as Cleveland Rapid.

“We applaud this investment in the transportation future of Cleveland region and the Midwest,” said Midwest High Speed Rail Association Executive Director Richard Harnish. “Investment in upgrading railroads is a huge generator of jobs and revenue—so it’s a linchpin of economic recovery in Ohio and all across the region.“

Harnish said the Cleveland rail complex would be an even greater asset if Amtrak were able to expand to daylight service from Cleveland to Chicago and New York. The trains which run between these two urban hubs offer only late-night service at Cleveland, thus limiting its usefulness both for business and recreational travel.

“The fact is, the Midwest urgently needs daylight trains to connect local economies and bring people together,” said Harnish. “Midwestern cities depend on fast, convenient and affordable rail service to drive business.”

To optimize local investments and improvements to the rail system in Cleveland and across the region, Harnish urged the Senate Commerce Committee to forward its Rail Title.

“As Vice President Biden showed today, we are on the cusp of a breakthrough in public investment in a rail system for the future, ” said Harnish, “Now let’s see the Senate fulfill its commitment and get this done.”

The Midwest High Speed Rail Association is one of the nation’s leading advocacy organizations in the effort to bring high-speed rail to the United States. For more information, please visit www.midwesthsr.org.