FINDINGS; PURPOSE.

SEC. 102. FINDINGS; PURPOSE. (a) Findings.—The Congress finds that— (1) high-speed rail offers safe and efficient transportation in certain densely traveled corridors linking major metropolitan areas in the United States; (2) high-speed rail may have environmental advantages over certain other forms of intercity transportation; (3) Amtrak’s Metroliner service between Washington, District of Columbia, and New York, New York, the United States premier high-speed rail service, has shown that Americans will use high-speed rail when that transportation option is available; (4) new high-speed rail service should not receive Federal subsidies for operating and maintenance expenses; (5) State and local governments should take the prime responsibility for the development and implementation of high-speed rail service; (6) the private sector should participate in funding the development of high-speed rail systems; (7) in some intercity corridors, Federal planning assistance may be required to supplement the funding commitments of State and local governments and the private sector to ensure the adequate planning, including reasonable estimates of the costs and benefits, of high-speed rail systems; (8) improvement of existing technologies can facilitate the development of high-speed rail systems in the United States; and (9) Federal assistance is required for the improvement, adaptation, and integration of proven technologies for commercial application in high-speed rail service in the United States. 108 STAT. 4616 (b) Purpose.—The purpose of this title is to encourage far-sighted State, local, and private efforts in the analysis and planning for high-speed rail systems in appropriate intercity corridors.