Well, it's about time. On October 1, 2008 the United States Senate passed an Amtrak Funding Bill to the tune of $13 billion. It's the first bill of its kind in 11 years. And it shows.
Amtrak has been woefully underfunded for the last decade. Much needed maintenance on passenger cars, engines, and terminals have been neglected due to the lack of funding. It's shameful. Governments of every developed nation help fund passenger rail service. We spend $40 billion a year on highways and give what amounts to table scraps for passenger rail service. It's no secret that President Bush (whom I support) is not a friend of Amtrak.
The five year bill calls for $2.5 billion a year to go to Amtrak , which is double its current level of funding. According to the Friends of Amtrak, the money would cover operating and capital expenses, including equipment purchases and rail repairs.
Another $1.4 billion will help pay down Amtrak's $3 billion debt, and $1.9 billion would fund a matching-grant program to encourage states to invest in passenger rail expansion and repair.
The bill will also require technology known as positive train control, or PTC by 2015. The technology instantly stops trains that run a stop signal and is already in use on the Northeast Corridor.
The bill enjoys about the same margin of support in the U.S. House making it veto-proof. It's now safe to say that the federal policy toward Amtrak is officially changed.
It's no secret that I'm a John McCain supporter but here's an area where I disagree with the Arizona senator. McCain voted NO on the authorization bill. Senator Obama voted yes.
Congress must approve budget appropriations each year in order for the funding to reach Amtrak. Surprisingly, President Bush has indicated he will sign the authorization bill. Wonders never cease.
For more on this important bill go to http://www.FriendsO fAmtrak.com
Congratulations to Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey for his leadership on this issue.
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