press release

For Immediate Release:

January 11, 2010

For inquiries or interviews contact:
Lauren Searl at 202.777.0456 or
lsearl@americanhsra.org

A NEW DIRECTION FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL IN AMERICA

Washington, DC – In a dramatic move to create a more inclusive and comprehensive effort to collaborate with all of the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) designated corridors and every stakeholder interested in bringing high speed rail to America, Lewis J. Goetz, today announced the formation of the American High Speed Rail Alliance (AHSRA).

The new organization, under the leadership of president Eric C. Peterson, will broaden its scope to promote high speed rail in cooperation with the broad range of stakeholders; including federal and state governments, associations, manufacturers, service providers, consumers and advocates. All parties share the vision of creating and sustaining a clean and energy-efficient advanced national high speed rail system serving key transportation corridors across the United States.

"There are significant economic, environmental, energy and social benefits that will result from a national high speed rail system in the United States," said Goetz. "We will work with all interested parties to create an unified front for high speed rail in America."

"It is not enough to say you are interested in high speed rail, or to be a cheerleader for high speed rail," said Peterson. "Developing a world class national high speed rail system will take the dedicated efforts of thousands, perhaps millions of Americans. AHSRA will serve as the unified voice for this effort, working hand in hand with stakeholders to make this national high speed rail system a reality."

After surveying stakeholders and recognizing the magnitude of the task ahead, Goetz, Peterson and a group of advisors determined the importance of making a statement about the role the organization intends to play as it transitions into a larger, more unified leader and catalyst for high speed rail in America.

The American High Speed Rail Alliance (AHSRA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization whose members are dedicated to creating and sustaining a clean and energy-efficient advanced national high speed rail system in the United States. AHSRA works on behalf of, and in partnership with, its members and other like-minded stakeholders to support policies and execute programs that ensure the creation and operation of a world-class high speed rail system that is interconnected with all passenger transportation systems throughout the United States.