Although this is a Men’s Group event, people of all genders are welcome to attend!

Members & Guests – Free

Online RSVP for this event has ended; to join, contact the Village office at 773.248.8700

There are lots of reasons why implementing a high speed rail network in the US is difficult, but progress is being made. Record levels of federal funding and new programs for passenger rail mean there will be many more opportunities to transform travel in America.

In the Midwest, 56 mayors have signed a letter in support of Amtrak’s application to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the Chicago Hub.

In California over $11 billion has been approved for high speed rail and other rail projects, Over 170 miles of high speed rail are under construction or in final design. and environmental approval has been obtained for the most valuable and difficult segments.

In the Pacific Northwest the Cascadia Ultra-High Speed project aims to connect Seattle in one hour to both Portland and Vancouver.

Join The Men’s Group to hear about progress towards a much more convenient, comfortable safe and environmentally friendly rail system.

About our Presenter:

Rick Harnish co-founded the High Speed Rail Alliance in 1993 with a passion for revitalizing the region he grew up in, lives in, and loves. A native of the Chicago area, Rick’s perspective on trains and transportation policy has appeared in Bloomberg, theWall Street Journal, USA Today, Politico, Governing, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Crain’s Chicago and many other publications, in addition to various NPR programs. Harnish’s work is informed by his strong commitment to researching and learning from global best practices. He has ridden high-speed trains—often in the context of leading small groups—in Belgium, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey, and he draws on a global network of colleagues with expertise in trains and transportation policy.

With thanks to Village sponsor Belmont Village for hosting this gathering!