Mayor Bloomberg Weighs In On Dulles Rail

WASHINGTON -- Metro riders had some high-profile company with them Thursday.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty gave a tour of the transit system to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The mayor from the Big Apple was in town to urge the federal government to invest more in infrastructure needs.

Bloomberg discussed the D.C. region's top infrastructure debate, rail to Dulles International Airport.

"Dulles is a long ways away, and major cities in this day and age do need rapid transit to their airports if they are going to compete for business and for tourism," Bloomberg says.

Mayor Fenty chimed in, saying the federal government also needs to take a hard look at roads and bridges around the country.

"Unless they want the cities to decay to the point where there could be serious injury or tragedy, (the government) has to step up to the plate," Fenty says.

Bloomberg, who says he is working on his own rail linking to airports in New York City, has formed a high-powered group to discuss the country's crumbling infrastructure.

Over the weekend, Bloomberg will meet with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Fenty.

"All cities have the same problems. And I think all mayors that know what they are doing share the same concerns," Bloomberg says.

The New York City mayor was also asked -- tongue in cheek -- just how much he liked spending time in Washington, D.C. -- hinting at rumors of a possible presidential run.

"I like Washington. I will be living in New York for the rest of my life. But I certainly plan to come down to Washington as much as I can. You have some great restaurants here," he said with a smile.

Bloomberg has repeatedly said he is not a candidate for president.

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