|
Index to recent news postings Rail Travel News is a twice-monthly print publication, published since
Dec 10, 1970.
Visit RailGifts.com
New! Browse more railroad books |
AMTRAK ADVOCATES PUZZLE OVER PLAN
TO SEPARATE CORRIDOR FROM REST OF AMTRAK
There is some division among passenger trains advocates after news leaked out that the Amtrak board had voted on Sep 22 to begin working on separating the NE Corridor from the rest of the rail corporation. Since the plan requires the approval of Congress, some advocates are adopting a wait and see policy, hoping that the move might make an improvement in Northeast passenger and commuter rail. The National Association of Railroad Passengers was rather subdued in its reporting of the event, not being overtly critical, but nevertheless pointing out that the plan was initiated by the White House-appointed members of the Amtrak board. It is well known that the White House earnestly seeks to kill off Amtrak, so it could be assumed that the move was a step toward that goal. Other advocates, perhaps the majority of them, are alarmed, seeing the move as a divide-and-conquer strategy on the part of the DOT and White House. Indeed, the New York Times' report framed the issue as an Administration move to split up the rail corporation along the lines suggested by the anti-Amtrak White House. The Times called it "an essential step in the Bush administration plan to break up the railroad" and reported that Amtrak senior executives said it "would doom high-speed long-distance service". The paper quoted Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) as saying
"The Bush administration wants to hold a fire sale on Amtrak and dump its
best asset, the Northeast Corridor," and "Selling the Northeast corridor
is the first step in President Bush's plan to destroy Amtrak and intercity
rail service in America."
Congress is expected to take up the transportaton funding bill again as early as today. NARP is asking rail advocates to contact their legislators about Amtrak funding now. NARP said the main aim of rail advocates then is to maintain the $1.45 billion funding level set by the Senate and remove restrictive language about food and other amenities. RAIL ADVOCATES ASKED TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS NOW AMTRAK TO DELAY FARE INCREASE (Sep 16) The upgraded Berkeley CA Amtrak stop was ceremonially opened on Saturday, Sep 17. AMTRAK TO RAISE FARES SEP 20 AMTRAK PRESIDENT UPDATES EMPLOYEES ON GULF COAST SITUATION AMTRAK SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE GULF COAST EVACUATION IN TODAY'S TRANSPORTATION MONOCULTURE By Robert W. Rynerson EFFECTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA UPON LOUISIANA (Aug 29) AMTRAK LAUNCHES UPGRADED EMPIRE BUILDER STARLIGHT TO EMPIRE BUILDER CONNECTION ENDED DOWNEASTER FUNDING IS ASSURED PIONEER ROUTE REINSTATEMENT REQUESTED IN LOTT BILL LOTT-LAUTENBERG BILL PROVISIONS IMPORTANT FOR PASSENGER RAIL SENATE COMMITTEE PASSES LOTT-LAUTENBERG AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION BILL SENATE COMMITTEE TO ACT ON AMTRAK AUTHORIZATION TODAY NARP applauds their bill SENATE COMMITTEE ADDS $50 MILLION TO AMTRAK FUNDING CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR TO BE HIT WITH DETOURS IN LATE SUMMER AND FALL CALIFORNIA TRAINS REACH MORE RIDERSHIP RECORDS SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE OKAYS $1.4 BILLION FOR AMTRAK DOT WANTS TO CUT OUT SLEEPING CAR, DINER, LOUNGE AND CHECKED BAGGAGE SERVICE ON AMTRAK TO SAVE MONEY. NARP RELEASES REBUTTAL TO PROPOSAL: HOUSE VOTE SAVES AMTRAK FUNDING SUMMER SOLSTICE IN BERLIN 1971 HOUSE COMMITTEE FAILS TO INCREASE AMTRAK FUNDS
|
Subscribe today! For new subscribers Renewing subscribers To subscribe by US Mail Request sample copy Please make a donation to help support this web site. Any amount, large or small, is appreciated. Thank you! Browse train station posters Click here
DOT'S MINETA HARASSING AMTRAK &
AMTRAK'S REPLY TO THE MINETA LETTER
Join or donate to the
National Association of Railroad Passengers.
|
