WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on the Federal role in national rail policy. 

Witness List:

The Honorable John D. Porcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation

The Honorable Daniel R. Elliott, III, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“As I have said many times before, we need a rail system that works not just for the freight railroads, but for all – shippers, passengers, and consumers. I am proud that for the first time in 30 years, this Committee reported out a bill – in a bipartisan way – that would update our rail regulations to reflect the economic realities of 2010. This legislation may not be on the cover of all the newspapers in the country each and every day but its benefits for communities small and large throughout America cannot – and should not – be underestimated. I want everybody to know that whether we do it this year or next year, railroad reform is going to happen. Either Congress will do it, or it will need to be done through regulation.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“America’s economy depends upon an efficient, safe and reliable transportation system. The Obama Administration believes that rail can play an increasingly important role in meeting our freight and passenger mobility needs. But this cannot be just a responsibility of the Administration and the Congress. It requires commitments from our States and local partners. They too need to put into place the appropriate policies, program structures and investments, both public and private to achieve this enhanced opportunity for rail. It also requires that our private sector partners’ policies recognize that the larger public interest in rail transportation, in particular passenger rail transportation, is foundational to achieving that part of the larger vision that they are most interested in.”

The Honorable John D. Porcari, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation 

“Significant changes in the economy have often occurred quite rapidly. These macroeconomic trends inevitably affect the dynamics of railroad/customer relationships and the allocation of labor and resources throughout the transportation industry. As conditions continue to improve in the coming months, the Board will need to monitor how and to what degree it should reexamine and tailor its regulatory policies to meet new conditions.”

The Honorable Daniel R. Elliott, III, Chairman, Surface Transportation Board

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