Tranportation News

Statement of Bruce Speight, Transportation Policy Analyst for the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, on a historic day for intercity passenger rail in Wisconsin. 

Governor Doyle announced today an agreement with Talgo, the Spanish train manufacturer, that will bring jobs to Wisconsin manufacturing and maintaining high-speed passenger rail.  Also, the House Appropriations Committee approved $4 billion in federal funds for inter-city passenger rail; this is in addition to the $8 billion in high-speed passenger rail funds approved as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Today, Wisconsin moved one step closer to building a 21^st century transportation system.”

“There is enormous demand for high-speed passenger rail, both nationwide and here in Wisconsin, where a new manufacturing facility will be located.  WISPIRG applauds Congressman Obey, chairman of the committee, for responding to that demand and navigating this historic investment in high-speed passenger rail through the appropriations committee.”

“These investments will not only modernize our transportation system, they will also help to grow Wisconsin’s economy, putting more Wisconsinites to work.” 

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WISPIRG is a statewide non-profit, non-partisan public interest advocacy organization.  www.wispirg.org.