A study by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group shows that high-speed rail can boost the economy, save energy, curb pollution and provide a popular alternative to congested roads and airports, according to a news release issued by the group.

“This report shows why other countries are investing in high-speed rail. It’s a smart investment that will bring new jobs and economic development to Massachusetts while connecting us with other major travel hubs in the Northeast,” said Lizzi Weyant, staff attorney at MASSPIRG.

The report, “A Track Record of Success: High-Speed Rail Around the World and Its Promise for America,” details a number of examples from around the world and says that some of the benefits include:

* Jobs: about 8,000 people were involved in the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link between the tunnel and London.

* Development opportunities near stations: The amount of office space in the area around the rail station in city of Lyon, France has increased by 43 percent.

* Economic growth: In Germany, the counties surrounding the towns of Limburg and Montabauer experienced a 2.7 percent increase in their gross domestic product as a result of the increased access to markets provided by the Frankfurt-Cologne high-speed rail line.

* Reduced road congestion: High-speed rail service between Madrid and Seville reduced the share of car travel between the two cities from 60 to 34 percent.

* Reduced air travel: Even in the relatively slow rail service in the U.S. Northeastern Corridor, the rail corridor accounts for 65 percent of the air-rail market between NY and Washington, DC.

* Reduced oil dependence: A typical Monday morning business trip between London and Paris via high-speed rail uses approximately a third less energy as a car or plane trip.

The release further states: Massachusetts has long-championed high-speed rail as a way to connect people to the places they want to go. Our state is the hub of the Northeast Corridor, and planned improvements and expansions through Central Massachusetts and along the South Coast will connect Boston to New York City and Portland; New Haven to Springfield, Burlington, and Montreal; and Central Massachusetts west to Albany.

The recently formed Northeast High Speed Rail Caucus, co-chaired by Congressman John Olver, stands ready to support the efforts already underway by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MassDOT is leading the New England states in coordinating the high speed rail objectives of our region, evidenced by the recent U.S. DOT investment of $153.4 million for expansions at South Station and improvements along the New Haven-Springfield line.

High speed rail enjoys wide bipartisan support. In a statement about MASSPIRG’s report, Glen Bottoms of the American Conservative Center for Public Transportation said, “This report reinforces our view that building a high speed rail network is a prudent and cost effective use of America’s resources over the long-term.”

“Now that the election is behind us, it’s time to get serious about high speed rail,” said Weyant. “Our leaders should support long-term investments in high-speed rail for the benefits that it will bring to Massachusetts and the entire New England region.”