SENATE BILL: Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act (Law'd)

[Senator Napoleon]

I propose

So yes. :/

[Prez Duke]

I think the amendment passes.

I propose

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

Aye, a fine idea.

[Senator Napoleon]

I think the amendment passes.

I propose

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

Aye, a fine idea.

Credit goes to Frodo.

[Secretary Polnut]

I think the amendment passes.

I propose

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

It's a good idea.

[Frodo]

I think the amendment passes.

I propose

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

I like it, but if we are going to include funding for bus rapid transit systems (BRT), I hope future amendments for this bill will appropriate similar amounts to be distributed for urban rail systems in such metropolises like DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Seattle, Tacoma, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, among other such examples.  

[Senator Napoleon]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

[bgwah]

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

So are you formally proposing this as an amendment?

[Senator Napoleon]

I propose

So yes. :/

[bgwah]

Sponsor/Friendly amendment:

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

[Frodo]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

With interest rates as low as they ever will be, now would be the best time to go ahead with these projects that we would otherwise regard as pipe dreams.  Wait any longer, and they will be too expensive to even consider.  

[bgwah]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

With interest rates as low as they ever will be, now would be the best time to go ahead with these projects that we would otherwise regard as pipe dreams.  Wait any longer, and they will be too expensive to even consider.  

Perhaps we should have a program where the federal government pays the interest for regions that decide to pursue grade-separated rail. I think the mayor of LA proposed something like this recently.

[Prez Duke]

Interest rates would be extremely low in this case anyway, so I would not have a problem with the federal government picking up the bill for the regions. If we are going to go through with these projects, we need to develop some incentive based system for people to actually use them or at least keep the trip costs down. Otherwise, we are spending a lot of money for no reason. Perhaps, if we can afford it, have the feds subsidize the ticket costs in some form or fashion so they are no longer more expensive than taking an airplane.

[Secretary Polnut]

Consider that one of the key issues for rail in many parts of the country is the rails themselves are owned privately, and more often that not freight, which generates more revenue, is given priority access to the best tracks - which means passenger services get old tracks that cannot handle maximum train speeds.

So even when trains COULD go 100-130mph, they are slowed down to as little as 40mph...

This issue is BIGGER than just throwing money at it... it needs a equally-sized discussion.

[Frodo]

Basically commuter rail.

It is too bad that commuter rail could not be done underground cost-effectively.

And for the record, I am referring to urban heavy-rail subway lines, light rail, and street car systems as well as commuter rail lines like MARC, VRE, and Sounder -not high speed rail.     

[bgwah]

Consider that one of the key issues for rail in many parts of the country is the rails themselves are owned privately, and more often that not freight, which generates more revenue, is given priority access to the best tracks - which means passenger services get old tracks that cannot handle maximum train speeds.

So even when trains COULD go 100-130mph, they are slowed down to as little as 40mph...

This issue is BIGGER than just throwing money at it... it needs a equally-sized discussion.

I had subway and elevated in mind---ie, creating new grade-separated right of ways for rail transit.

[bgwah]

Sponsor/Friendly amendment:

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

Senators have 24 hours to object.

This amendment has passed.

[bgwah]

I would like offer the following amendment:

Section 4 is added, and shall read;
"1. The federal government will pay any interest on mass transit projects should they begin by January 1, 2015."

[Senator Napoleon]

Friendly

[bgwah]

The amendment has been accepted as friendly. Senators have 24 hours to object.

[bgwah]

The amendment has passed.

[bgwah]

Current text:

Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act

Section 1: Appropriations

1. $10 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford, CT and Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, MA.

2. $5 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Portland, OR and Tacoma and Seattle, WA.

3. $5 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, and Charlotte, NC.

4. $10 billion shall be appropriated for the construction of a high speed rail line connecting the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul MN, Madison and Milwaukee WI, and Chicago IL.

5. $8 billion will be distributed among the regions by the DoIA for the repair, expansion, or construction of rapid bus lines in metropolitan areas.

Section 2: Completion

1. The rail lines are to be completed by 2016.

2. The construction of the rail lines should significantly affect as few private properties as reasonably possible.

3. Existing lines should be updated when it is reasonably possible.

Section 3: Operation

1. These rail lines shall be operated under Section 3 of the High Speed Rail Act.

Section 4: Interest Payments
1. The federal government will pay any interest on mass transit projects should they begin by January 1, 2015."

[bgwah]

I'm bringing this bill to a final vote. Please vote aye, nay, or abstain.


Aye

[Jbrase]

Nay

[Snowguy716]

aye

[Senator Napoleon]

Aye