WASHINGTON – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is a long way from home with a familiar topic in front of him — train transportation.
Winding down his trip to Asia, Hogan has zipped around by train in Japan, known as the rail envy of the world.
On Thursday, he cruised on a maglev (magnetic levitation) train, which doesn’t break a sweat bursting through 300 miles per hour.
He even called it “the future of transportation,” as it may be an option connecting Washington and Baltimore.
While high-speed train travel may be a long term goal at home, his more pressing decision upon returning concerns the Purple Line.
Hogan has voiced concern at the $2.45 billion price tag for a service running between Bethesda and New Carrollton.
The county executives from both counties directly affected continue to make their case.
“This is about more than just getting people from Point A to Point B,” says Rushern Baker, the executive in Prince George’s County.
“This is the creation of jobs and the ability to attract industry to the Washington region,” he says.
Hogan is due to arrive back home Sunday.
His office hasn’t outlined a specific timeline for the announcement about his decision on the Purple Line, apart from it being after his return.
