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From the Amtrak media relations folks today:
SENATE PASSES FEDERAL RAILROAD SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT Legislation Authorizes Nearly $13 Billion for Amtrak
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate yesterday passed H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act. The bill includes Amtrak reauthorization language and authorizes significant federal funding for intercity passenger rail service and corridor development. The measure authorizes $12.9 billion over five years including: $5.3 billion in capital grants, $2.9 billion in operating grants and $1.9 billion for grants to states for intercity passenger rail development. The House approved the legislation on September 24. The bill must now be signed into law by the President, and Congress will need to pass annual appropriations bills to provide the funding levels authorized in the bill.
In addition to authorizing spending for rail expansion, the legislation reauthorizes and toughens rail safety programs, including requiring rail companies to equip cars with “positive train control” systems to help avoid collisions.
“The work on this authorization bill spanned nearly three congresses and does change the existing conditions for Amtrak, the rail industry and the states,” said Alex Kummant, Amtrak president and CEO. “Apart from safety enhancements, the bill creates for the first time a state and federal funding partnership which places rail passenger service on a more equal footing with other modes, and encourages rail corridor development. Passage of this bill is a significant statement by Congress that will positively affect the traveling public for generations to come.”
“Provisions in the bill that mandate positive train control across the industry will provide significant safeguards for the traveling public,” said Chairman of the Amtrak Board Donna McLean. “Amtrak prides itself as a leader in safety innovations. The Board supports the requirements of the bill and implementing them will be our highest priority.”
Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Tom Carper (D-DE), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and former Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) are to be commended for their tireless efforts on behalf of the passenger rail industry and for their persistence in getting the legislation passed. On the House side, Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), Ranking Member John Mica (R-FL), Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) are also to be commended for their hard work and commitment to improving intercity passenger rail service for all Americans.
In the fiscal year that ended September 30, Amtrak carried over 28 million riders, a sixth straight year of record ridership, and earned more than $1.7 billion in ticket revenue for the national passenger railroad.
About Amtrak Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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Isn't it nice to have some thinking people in Congress. What a pleasant change.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: The bill must now be signed into law by the President
Yeah, but will he sign it? I don't remember where I read it, but I recall reading somewhere that this bill might be delayed on the president's desk and wait for the next president to deal with it. And if not this stall tactic, he might simply veto it.
However, the rail safety portion makes a presidential signature more likely. Thank you Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer for pushing rail safety into the railroad bill. I never thought I'd be thanking my state senators, especially these two
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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Actually, this bill -- which has been a priority for Jim Oberstar -- has been working its way through House and Senate since last spring. It passed both houses, went to conference to reconcile the two versions, and then languished due to the press of other business. It looked like it might die in this session until the Chatsworth accident woke it up again. It is NOT the Boxer/Feinstein bill. It is Oberstar's bill.
The votes this week were to approve the conference version, so it will definitely go to the President's desk. Who knows what he will do? It does contain funding both for Amtrak and for Washington Metro, in addition to a number of changes to Hours of Service regs and also a requirement for the installation of Positive Train Control on lines carrying either passenger or hazmat traffic. I think it's likely to get a Bush signature because of the safety issues it addresses...but who knows?
Posts: 614 | From: Merchantville, NJ. USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Originally posted by rresor: Actually, this bill -- which has been a priority for Jim Oberstarhas -- has been working its way through House and Senate since last spring
Thanks for the info.
My local media made it sound like the two California senators were primarily responsible for attaching rail safety issues (such as PTC) to the Amtrak bill as a result of the recent Metrolink disaster. It also seemed like the safety concerns were not a part of the bill until recently.
Guess I was too upset over the Angels and Cubs performances yesterday to pay enough attention to the news
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: According to this site, just posted, President Bush told Rep. John Mica that he would sign the bill into law:
Excellent
-------------------- Matt Visit gallery for photos of our train layouts Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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Now, how does this differ from the 1.3 billion dollars number that's been thrown around? This is a far higher dollar amount. Is 1.3 an allocation for OPERATION ONLY, while this bill is only capital/infrastructure improvements?
-------------------- Patrick Posts: 387 | From: Bakersfield, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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