The Trump administration announced on Monday a new $5 billion railway funding program, with $2.4 billion coming from the approximately $4 billion federal funding withdrawn from the California high-speed rail project. The Trump administration plans to reallocate this funding to improve the national passenger rail transport system.
Under the rules of the new program, certain funding requirements proposed during the Biden administration, such as expecting states and other entities participating in the original railway project to implement diversity and climate change policies, have been cancelled. The new program will prioritize projects in areas with higher birth rates and marriage rates, with a focus on projects aimed at improving railway crossing safety.
The Trump administration has removed terminologies related to climate change and so-called “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) from other funding provisions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized these terminologies from the Biden era when announcing the new program, and also criticized the railway project promoted by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Duffy said, “Our new ‘National Railroad Partnership Program’ will emphasize safety – which is our top priority – without including radical DEI and green funding requirements. We will not waste money on Newsom’s costly yet meaningless projects. These targeted investments will improve the lives of railway passengers, local drivers, and pedestrians.”
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) stated that the largest portion of this funding comes from the $4 billion previously withdrawn from the California project, with the remaining funds coming from last year’s announced budget and this year’s budget allocation.
Both Trump and Duffy have criticized the California project, which has been ongoing for decades, citing severe cost overruns and repeated construction delays, resulting in the high-speed rail that was supposed to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles remaining unfinished to this day.
California officials have stated their opposition to the efforts of reallocating this funding, believing that the funds should continue to be used for their project. They have filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw federal funding for the California railway project.
According to an FRA spokesperson, the prioritization of areas with higher birth rates and marriage rates reflects the content of an executive order by Trump, which prioritizes expenditures beneficial to American families.
The FRA also stated that the safety issues at railway crossings need to be addressed, as over 200 people die each year in accidents involving trains colliding with vehicles or pedestrians. The government and railway companies have been working long-term to solve this issue, but constructing bridges or underground passageways for vehicles to safely cross tracks comes at a high cost.
The government also mentioned that projects which can improve family travel experiences will be prioritized, such as adding nursing rooms at train stations, expanding waiting areas, and setting up children’s play areas.
The deadline to apply for this funding is January 7th.
(This article has been referenced from reports by the Associated Press)