Bombardier Transportation Praises Continued Investment to Rebuild U.S. Rail Economy and Create Jobs
May 9, 2011 - In response to U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood’s announcement regarding the investment of more than $2 billion into the future of high-speed rail projects, the following can be attributed to Robert Furniss, Vice President for Bombardier Transportation:
“While we are reviewing the details of today’s announcement, Bombardier Transportation supports the vision for investing in a nationwide network that will connect Americans to high-speed rail, generate good U.S. jobs and help protect the environment. The U.S. has taken another step forward to build a next generation transportation network, where rail transportation can help fuel the U.S. economy - driving productivity, creating jobs, connecting people and facilitating social and economic development.
Increasingly, investment in transit solutions, such as high-speed passenger rail, to create an intermodal system will be key to powering an economic engine that also addresses the challenges of updating an aging U.S. infrastructure. Investment in rail and related infrastructure, promotes economic expansion in construction and manufacturing, creates new choices for travelers, reduces national dependence on foreign oil, and fosters community development. A major high-speed rail line has the potential to generate thousands of U.S. construction jobs, permanent jobs for rail employees and increased economic activity in the destinations these trains serve. And, rail travel consumes dramatically less energy, reduces emissions, improves travel time and eliminates the time, fuel and money wasted by road congestion.
As the global leader in passenger rail technology and the leading supplier of passenger rail vehicles in the U.S., Bombardier’s products provide the highest levels of passenger comfort, environmental friendliness and trend-setting safety standards. Bombardier has 20 years of global experience in the high-speed rail sector and was a member of the consortium that built and delivered the first high speed trains in the U.S., in service on the Northeast Corridor since December 2000. Bombardier Transportation already employs workers in 13 states, at locations including manufacturing sites and a network of operations and maintenance centers, who are well-positioned to help the U.S. develop this vital transit infrastructure it deserves.”