Bruno Envisions Bullet Train Making the State Smaller

ALBANY, N.Y. – High-speed rail has never found its niche in America.The state senate majority leader, Joseph Bruno, wants to change that.The Rensselaer County Republican announced plans in March to conduct a $5 million feasibility study on bringing a bullet train to New York.He contends that connecting the state’s major cities with a train capable of traveling at speeds of nearly 200 mph would help New York grow economically by providing a fast, reliable way to transport people and goods.Such a train would also encourage growth upstate by making New York City accessible to commuters from the Albany area in less than 1 1/2 hours. By making the city easily accessible to upstaters, more people will want to relocate to areas north of the city, especially as the state tries to boost the high technology sector through its Centers for Excellence at SUNY campuses.“When I look at rapid transit, I look at jobs,” Mr. Bruno said. “I look at the opportunities that creates to improve the quality of life for everybody.“This has to be a priority,” he said. “We have failed federally and in this state to stay competitive with other countries with rapid transit of people and goods and technology.”Mr. Bruno’s idea is not a new one.In 1998, Governor Pataki unveiled a $185 million plan to create a high-speed rail corridor. Rebuilt Turboliner trains were to shave 20 minutes off the travel time between the state capital and New York City.Ultimately, though, the project went bust due to a series of missed deadlines, engineering problems, and disagreements about who should pay the extra costs.Last year, Amtrak sidelined the only two reconditioned trains to be put into service, citing air-conditioning and other problems. The state Department of Transportation is now seeking a legal judgment against Amtrak for some $477.3 million.“Everybody was well intentioned, but what went beyond anyone’s control was Amtrak, which continued to deteriorate,” Mr. Bruno said.“You could point to a lot of people or circumstances for the failure; my take is everyone had different priorities. … You have a different scene now.”President Bush has proposed ending the $1.2 billion federal subsidy to Amtrak, a move that many say would effectively kill the national passenger service.Instead of a national rail service, the White House budget envisions the eventual creation of regional rail service compacts, overseen by states, or a collection of states, providing more locally based transportation.Mr. Bruno says that would give New York the chance to make his vision work.

Bruno Envisions Bullet Train Making the State Smaller

Bruno Envisions Bullet Train Making the State Smaller

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