RSI white paper urges

In a white paper published Tuesday entitled “Rail Supply Innovation and Buy America Requirements,” the Railway Supply Institute recommended three sweeping changes to current U.S. Buy-America provisions and funding for transit, high speed rail, and intercity passenger rail that will ensure increased domestic content for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funded projects.

“RSI has been a strong supporter of Buy America regulations and helped develop current federal Buy America policies for Amtrak and transit. Buy America has helped preserve a domestic passenger railway manufacturing industry that was in danger of disappearing in the mid-20th century,” said RSI President Tom Simpson (pictured at left).

But in order to meet the stringent ARRA Buy America requirements, RSI suggested three significant changes, including:

• Long-term dedicated Sources of funding for high speed and intercity passenger rail through a menu of options;

• Clarification of Buy America standards by streamlining the particular differences among provisions specific to Buy American, Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and ARRA funds; and a

• Department of Transportation National Rail Plan that supports the U.S. passenger rail equipment manufacturing industry through a vision for sustained equipment purchases and equipment life-cycle policies that avoid “boom or bust” procurement cycles

RSI’s white paper is posted on its website, www.rsiweb.org.