Americans Support High-Speed Rail

23 February 2010 (Last Updated February 23rd, 2010 18:30)

The US Government's $8bn high-speed rail grant announcement in January has boosted the significance of transit and passenger rail, according to a HNTB Corporation survey. A majority of 88% of Americans are in favour of high-speed rail for long-distance travel within the US. The N

The US Government's $8bn high-speed rail grant announcement in January has boosted the significance of transit and passenger rail, according to a HNTB Corporation survey.

A majority of 88% of Americans are in favour of high-speed rail for long-distance travel within the US.

The New America THINKS survey, however, says the support has dwindled slightly from the 94% recorded in 2009.

HNTB high-speed rail services chair Peter Gertler said the advocacy efforts are crucial at a time general excitement about high-speed rail has slowed.

"Stimulus money is seeding initial projects," Gertler said.

More than 83% of Americans also believe public transit and high-speed rail infrastructure need a larger share of federal funding, the survey said.

The employee-owned infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation caters to federal, state, municipal, military and private clients.