As Gas Prices Rise, So Too Does Amtrak Funding, Ridership
» Gatehouse News Service - 10 July 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It is only coincidence that on the day Springfield gasoline prices hit a record of nearly $4.20 a gallon, a U.S. Senate appropriations committee approved a record $1.55 billion to run Amtrak in the coming federal fiscal year. But Amtrak supporters certainly took notice.
“People are making it clear throughout the country that they want to take the train and ride the bus, or have a safe place to ride their bike. It’s just a matter of our elected leaders catching up to them,” said Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, based in Chicago.
The $1.55 billion approved Friday, compared to about $1.4 billion for the current federal fiscal year, has a long way to go toward approval by the full Senate and House. The Senate bill includes $100 million that would be made available to states for improvements of inner-city passenger service. Funding for operations and system improvements is separate from a reauthorization bill that also must be approved by Congress. The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
“It’s significant that this is the highest funding level for Amtrak that they’ve ever had,” said Christina Mulka, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The Springfield Democrat also released a statement that support of Amtrak is vital at a time when “families are choosing to leave their cars and take the train.”
» Gatehouse News Service - 10 July 2008
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - It is only coincidence that on the day Springfield gasoline prices hit a record of nearly $4.20 a gallon, a U.S. Senate appropriations committee approved a record $1.55 billion to run Amtrak in the coming federal fiscal year. But Amtrak supporters certainly took notice.
“People are making it clear throughout the country that they want to take the train and ride the bus, or have a safe place to ride their bike. It’s just a matter of our elected leaders catching up to them,” said Rick Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, based in Chicago.
The $1.55 billion approved Friday, compared to about $1.4 billion for the current federal fiscal year, has a long way to go toward approval by the full Senate and House. The Senate bill includes $100 million that would be made available to states for improvements of inner-city passenger service. Funding for operations and system improvements is separate from a reauthorization bill that also must be approved by Congress. The federal fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
“It’s significant that this is the highest funding level for Amtrak that they’ve ever had,” said Christina Mulka, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. The Springfield Democrat also released a statement that support of Amtrak is vital at a time when “families are choosing to leave their cars and take the train.”
