The burden is on the states to learn and work with our partners effectively. Fifth, the federal government has a role to play in intercity passenger rail because financial investment is in the national interest. Beyond the interest of the individual states and groups of states in nearly a dozen corridors, it is in the interest of the Nation to have series of vibrant, well built, well operated intercity rail corridors. These corridors contribute to a national commitment to improve mobility and the social and economic quality of life for all our citizens. They anchor an integrated system of public transportation services including local and regional transit and access to major airports.
Capital formation is an essential role for the national government in transportation federalism.
The federal government fulfills a vital role in highway, public transportation, aviation and inland water transportation by creating a series of excise taxes and fees, placing them in trust funds, and allocating those resources. We need a federal partner that provides a stable, dedicated, long-term financial commitment. Further, these financial resources must expand the overall level of financial commitment to all modes of transportation. The lack of progress nationally in improving intercity rail passenger service is directly attributable to the lack of a meaningful federal partner. The federal government, through the tax code, can provide useful means of organizing larger amounts of investment capital.