MIPRC submits federal FY 2016 funding request

MIPRC submitted "outside witness testimony" to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies for FY 2016.

The commission asked that a total of $1.444.6 billion be appropriated to Amtrak for Fiscal Year 2016 (including $732.2 million for operating and $543.7 million for capital) and for the following to be appropriated to the Federal Railroad Administration:

1. $300 million for the high-performance passenger rail program (PRIIA Sections 301, 302 and 501);
2. $600 million for the TIGER program (ARRA Title XXII), with 10 percent set aside for planning;
3. $1 million to continue the efforts of the Next Generation Equipment Committee (PRIIA Section 305);
4. $1 million for a State-Supported Route Advisory Committee (PRIIA Section 209);
5. $425 million to assist in implementation of Positive Train Control (PRIIA Section 105);
6. $300 million for the Rail Line Relocation & Improvement (RLR) Capital Grant Program (SAFETEA-LU Section 9002); and
7. $10 million for the National Cooperative Rail Research Program (NCRRP).

Information on the rationale behind this request and additional explanation of each request can be found in MIPRC's submitted OWT.