Geddes: 12/6/12 Testimony on High Speed Rail
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High-speed passenger rail (HSR) is a commendable public policy objective that can provide valuable public benefits. I strongly support HSR in the United States for those lines and routes where it makes sense. In this testimony, I justify that view by addressing some fundamental economic issues regarding HSR in the United States, as well as the use of private investment in passenger rail through public-private partnerships, or PPPs. This is important because, in my view, the most recent attempts to fund HSR in the United States did not include adequate provisions to attract and retain the private investment that is critical to conserving scarce public resources.








