ROCHESTER, NY – “Rochester has been in talks about high-speed rail since I worked for Congresswoman Louise Slaughter 20 years ago,” said Senator Jeremy Cooney, chairman of the NYS Senate Transportation Committee.

Senator Cooney, fresh off a roller coaster ride in Florida, says it’s time to have a serious conversation about this issue here. Serious debate has been going on for two decades, but a state report this year says the maximum speed for upstate high-speed rail is 90 miles per hour.

News10NBC Chief Investigative Reporter Berkeley Brean had some questions for the senator.

Berkeley Brean, News10NBC: “Right now the plan says the maximum speed for trains passing through our community will be 90 miles per hour. Is that fast enough for it to work?”

Senator Jeremy Cooney: “It’s definitely faster than where we are now and that’s an improvement. But the technology already exists to move faster. I’m talking 125 miles per hour or more. “And that’s what some other states are already pursuing.”

Last week, Senator Cooney boarded the Brightline East bullet train between Orlando and Miami. It cuts the journey between the two cities in half. Brightline West cuts the journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in half. Brightline is a private company.

Cooney says the key to high-speed rail through New York is connecting New York City to Toronto.

Senator Jeremy Cooney: “This is about better connecting Toronto and New York City, and all upstate cities, including Rochester, along the way.”

At a hearing in January, he questioned the state deputy transportation commissioner about why the maximum speed outside the city was 90 mph, but the maximum speed outside the city was 110.

Senator Jeremy Cooney: “I say to the Ministry of Transport: If we are going to make a huge investment in railway, let’s go faster. “Let’s embrace the latest forms of technology to prepare for the future.”

High-speed rail was the dream of the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. The train station bears his name. State transportation hearings will begin early next year.

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