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Obama for, McCain against Amtrak funding
NY Times reports that former auto and airline passengers are flocking to an Amtrak that is unprepared for heavy use. The public rail service needs funding for more routes and railcars, which has not been forthcoming from Congress. Like other carriers, Amtrak has been stung by the cost of fuel.
Last year Senator Frank Lautenberg, Democrat of New Jersey, and others won overwhelming Senate approval for a bill that would offer the states 80 cents for every 20 cents they spend on new intercity passenger rail service, the same as the match offered for highway projects.
The House passed a bill with the same provision by a veto-proof margin earlier this month. The bill will soon go to a conference committee, but the White House is threatening to veto it because it wants the passenger rail system to be turned over to private operators.
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Amtrak’s fortunes also hinge on who wins the White House; Senator John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee, was a staunch opponent of subsidies to Amtrak when he was chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. Barack Obama, the probable Democratic nominee, was a co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill to provide an 80/20 financing match.
Good summer for a 'staycation.' BTW once again, I formatted the entire article only to be told I wasn't really logged in.
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Comments (4)
I would love to see AmTrack in better shape. I'd use it all the time if it ran on time. If I'm gonna be late, I'd rather take the (cheaper) bus.
June 23, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
I would love to see Amtrak in my part of the world and would not be happy if more tax dollars were spent propping up the east coast corridor unless it included service to my city.
June 23, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
You will see Amtrak in your future... the airlines are going away. It won't be a choice of mode of transportation.
By the way, this post only proves that we need to get on the ball fast about rail travel. Time is ticking.
June 23, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
For what it's worth, reading Donal Fagan and clearthinker has made reading the latest Economist all the more enjoyable.
June 24, 2008 7:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
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