This week, President-elect Joe Biden announced his nomination of Pete Buttigieg to serve as U.S. transportation secretary. The Southern Rail Commission offers our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to Buttigieg, and we look forward to working with him and the new administration to expand passenger rail service across our southern states.

As the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Buttigieg’s focus was on creating quality jobs, spurring local investment and building resilient infrastructure. We anticipate a productive working relationship to expedite progress on our rail projects underway that will result in economic investment and expanded mobility options.

During the announcement Tuesday, the SRC was especially pleased to hear Buttigieg describe his own "personal love of transportation, ever since childhood."

“More than once, as a college student, I would convince a friend to travel nearly a thousand miles back to Indiana on Amtrak, though I know that in this administration I will at best be the second biggest train enthusiast," Buttigieg said as he looked at Biden, who earned the nickname "Amtrak Joe" for taking thousands of round trips on Amtrak during his time as senator and vice president.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris praised Buttigieg's "sharp intellect and deep commitment to uniting people across party lines," while also speaking to plans for a passenger rail renaissance.

“We will transform our roads and bridges, transit systems, railways, ports and airports, while powering them with clean energy,” Harris said. “We will spark a renaissance in American passenger rail that will not only connect our country, but unlock job creation and growth across our manufacturing sector.”