CLEVELAND, July 9 — BLET Vice President & National Legislative Representative John Tolman has been named to the Advisory Board of the American High Speed Rail Alliance (AHSRA). AHSRA is an organization whose mission is to advocate for the development and implementation of a high speed passenger rail network in the United States.
In his capacity as a member of the Advisory Board, Vice President Tolman will provide guidance to the Alliance on its mission to advocate for the development and implementation of an improved passenger rail network in the United States. The Board will support the Alliance’s policy agenda, participate in strategic planning sessions, maintain a dialogue with stakeholders in the high speed rail industry and help to establish the permanent Governing Board of Directors for the Alliance.
“I’m very proud to have John Tolman representing the BLET on the AHSRA Board,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said. “With interest in high speed rail at a peak, I believe that the BLET needs to ensure that the interests of our members are protected. I have every confidence that Brother Tolman will serve as a persuasive advocate for BLET members and all of Rail Labor.”
One of the group’s goals is to ensure workforce development initiatives that identify, train and support American workers to design, build operate and maintain America’s high speed and regional passenger rail network. The group’s mission is similar to that advocated by the BLET in its High Speed Rail position paper and comments regarding the National Rail Plan.
“I am proud and humbled to accept this appointment,” Vice President Tolman said. “I look forward to lobbying on behalf of BLET members as well as our fellow Brothers and Sisters in the Teamsters Rail Conference, making sure that high speed rail creates good, safe jobs for all of Rail Labor.”
Additionally, the Alliance will leverage its resources and relationships to:
• Support the proposed $50 billion authorization for High Speed Rail in the SAFETEA-LU re-authorization legislation, and work with Congress to identify a dedicated source of funding to appropriate towards this authorization;
• Modify existing federal funding and financing programs such as RRIF, TIFIA, and Build America Bonds to ensure eligibility for High Speed Rail investments;
• Promote innovative tools that incentivize private sector participation in High Speed Rail financing including public/private partnerships and the development of a national infrastructure investment bank;
• Support enactment of freight rail investment tax credits that benefit the development of High Speed Rail;
• Advocate for a $4 billion annual appropriation from the Transportation Appropriations account for High Speed Rail development;
• Develop a dedicated, and predictable funding source for High Speed Rail to allow effective long-term planning and develop a sustainable market for High Speed Rail vendors and service providers;
• Support full funding of Amtrak; and
• Be a partner in industry efforts to sensibly and cost-effectively implement safety regulations, such as Positive Train Control (PTC), while advocating for funding to meet these mandates and transparency in the development of critical technology.