Plans to improve public transportation across the country got a big lift recently, as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., committed more than $17 billion for high-speed rail and other public transportation projects.

“This investment marks a bold step for our nation’s transportation system,” said NJPIRG’s transportation advocate in Washington, D.C., John Krieger. “After decades of envying efficient bullet trains overseas, American high speed rail is ready to leave the station.”

Historically, the United States has spent nine times more on highway projects than public transportation. But with an aggressive push for transit by NJPIRG and our allies, record levels of transit ridership, and growing frustration with airports and traffic, that is changing.

In February, as Congress debated President Obama’s economic recovery package, NJPIRG made the case for more transit investment. In the end, lawmakers committed $9.3 billion to high-speed and intercity rail. This funding came on top of $8.4 billion designated for other public transit agencies.

Transit Projects Ready To Go

According to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, states across the country have nearly 800 shovel-ready transit projects. From high-speed rail in California to the new ARC Tunnel connecting New Jersey to New York, the new transit funding could help us begin laying the tracks.

But there’s still a lot of work left to do. Later this year, Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the transportation bill, which could allocate nearly $500 billion in transportation funding over the next six years.

In the coming months, NJPIRG will be building public support and reaching out to our congressional delegation to ensure that Congress continues to make public transportation a top priority.