posted
Trainsmag.com just reported that Federal Railroad administration's passenger rail proposal on thursday during a House railroad subcommittee hearing titled, appropriately enough, "Passenger Rail in America: What should It look Like?"
The plan may propose the franchising of at least one Amtrak route. several industry and congressional sources told TRAINS news wire.
As it has begun to grapple with the passenger rail problem, Congress has been awaiting the administration's plan. Last month, Sens. John McCain and Fritz Hollings both asked the transportation department to unveil its plan os that Congress would know where the administration stands before crafting its own proposal.
Meanwhile, in the House four key congressmen plan to introduce Band-Aid legislation that would provide $1.2 billion for Amtrak for this year. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Don Young, R-Alaska; Jack Quinn, R-N.Y.; James Oberstar, D-Minn.: and Bob Clement, D-Tenn., will be introduced early this week, Quinn spokesman Mike Tetuan said.
The measure would make Amtrak more accountable, he said, and the money would be split into operating and capital funding.
CarterB Member # 1439
posted
Even IF Congress gives Amtrak the $1.2B, from what I hear, LD trains are a goner after Oct 1. Any monies will be put into corridor operations, equipment and service.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
posted
The item below came into my e-mailbox today from RailPAC (Rail Passenger Association of California) giving the time and place of the hearing. Last month this house committee was visibly frustrated with Allan Rutter's lack of a plan, and the commitee requested he present a plan outline on the 11th. So this should be interesting.
---------------------
Amtrak Funding Hearings
Things are heating up in DC. The House committee hearing is Thursday, April 11, starting about 7 AM PDT. CSPAN TV will be there, but will show it on a delay basis, so check their schedule.
The big testimony will be the Administration's plan for passenger rail, to be presented by the FRA. The committee will also hear from others, and the only rail passenger organization invited has been URPA. Bruce Richardson will be there to present material written by Andy Selden.
This is a key event, even if much of it will be repetitious from previous hearings.
In the next Western Rail Passenger Review, now at the printer, Art Lloyd predicts that Amtrak will get its $1.2 billion this year, but next year, after the election, to watch out. That scenario seems to be playing out.
Richard L. Silver, Executive Director Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC)
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
posted
Not. The White House has said it will be another week before it unveils its Amtrak proposal. The head of the FRA will not testify at Thursdays meeting either.
Reggie
------------------
[This message has been edited by reggierail (edited 04-10-2002).]
Mr. Toy Member # 311
posted
I saw the story about Rutter backing out of the hearing. That isn't going to go over well with the House committee. They were visibly annoyed by his lack of information last month, and they made it very clear to him that he was expected to have some answers this time around. Fur is gonna fly.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
posted
Any reason given why Rutter is delaying things....over-ambitious schedule? Or is it a "lose-lose" situation that will get people riled regardless of the decisions?
reggierail Member # 26
posted
As I understand it, Rutter will be presenting the White House policy or recommendations on passenger rail. The word is the White House needed another week or so to get its proposal together. Reggie
Mr. Toy Member # 311
posted
I've been searching C-SPAN's schedule to see if they are going to play the hearing, but it hasn't shown up on the schedule. Anybody know when it will be on?
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
posted