Report Touts Benefits of High-Speed Rail

The Pennsylvania Public Interest Research Group (PennPIRG) is releasing a report that demonstrates how investment in high-speed rail has boosted economies around the world and recommends Pennsylvania do the same. Program Associate Alana Miller says there are dozens of examples that point to the benefits of high-speed rail, "Over 8,000 people were employed constructing the Channel Tunnel into London, the office space around the rail station in Lyon, France has increased by 43% and there was a nearly 30% decrease in car travel between Seville and Madrid -- so that decreases road congestion." Miller admits that high-speed rail requires a big up-front investment but says it's well worth it in the long run. She says the number one voting issue has been the economy and jobs "and this report shows that based on examples around the world, high-speed rail would do a lot for Pennsylvania." With a new Republican administration vowing to cut costs in Harrisburg, the future of high-speed rail in the state is unclear, yet Miller says with the election behind us, it's time to start taking a serious look at high-speed rail in the commonwealth. The report can be found at www.pennpirg.org/report.