Stimulus money allocated to rail and changes made in rail industry legislation translate into great opportunity for the TWU. The Rail Division is working hard to ensure the union is prepared to handle both opportunities and the significant challenges associated with the new focus on Passenger Rail. Rail Division Director Gary Maslanka implemented a program to keep Division officers up-to-date on current developments. As part of this program Maslanka held a Passenger Rail Workshop at the International offices on Nov. 5, where officers were provided information on significant changes in both legislation and regulations that govern Passenger Rail improvement and expansion.

The ambitious workshop covered a lot of ground including the "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA); the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), High-Speed Rail Provisions; FRA Interim Guidance for the High-Speed Rail Program; and High-Speed Grant Applications and State Rail Planning Process. The workshop included presentations and discussions with Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Portia Reddick White, Director of Organizing Frank McCann Jr. and TWU attorney Rich Edelman as well.

"I believe it is vital to keep our rail officers informed of exactly what is going on in our industry where exciting changes are happening," said Railroad Division Director Gary Maslanka.

The change in the industry started with the Obama Administration's "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," released in April, 2009, which signaled the Administration's true commitment to Passenger Rail improvement and expansion and triggered a frenzy of interest in Passenger Rail projects throughout the country.

On July 16, the FRA reported that it had received 278 pre-applications with a price tag of $102 billion. Just days after the deadline for Track 2 Corridor Applications in early October, FRA Administrator Joe Szabo reported that the agency had received a total of 259 applications from numerous states with a total price tag of $57 billion. As stated in one news report, these applications exceeded allocated funding by 700 percent. Administrator Szabo outlined in a press release on Oct. 6 that, "due to the overwhelming response and our desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and inter-city passenger rail program, we will be announcing all awards this winter." Announcements are expected to be made sometime after January 1, 2010.

"This is an opportunity for rail that we have not seen for a long time and we can't miss a beat in being involved and making the most of a positive change for the industry," said Maslanka.

Go to the rail blog to read the "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America," and other relevant information on changes in the industry.