Bush Proposes Amtrak Reform Plan Which Would Give States More Control

"Congressional critics say President Bush's six-year plan to force the states to pick up more of Amtrak's costs ignores short-term problems that could shut down the railroad. Bush sent a bill to Congress on Monday that would end Amtrak's monopoly on intercity passenger rail service, minimize federal subsidies and promote competition among railroad operators"

And I might add, neither were the states.

The Bush administration is both arrogant and ignorant if they think they can put together a coherent plan without input from the principle participants!!!

In another article I read the plan points to the Cascades service as a good example of how multi-state funding agreements would work to maintain interstate service. Never mind that the Republican's in Oregon are about to shut down funding for the Oregon segment. This example shows that you can't rely on the fickle nature of 48 different state budgets to maintain a national system.

Here's a link to the official DOT information. I haven't had a chance to read it yet. http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot06303.htm

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

We can not expect states with little Amtrak
operation to become involved, like Idaho or
Arkansas for example. But there can and should be a place for the states with substantial transportation needs to look at
having Amtrak be part of the solution.

Time to write Bush again and complain about Mineta's extremely short-sighted vision for Amtrak, passenger rail, and our Nation's transportation needs.