by Peter LeCody
President
Peter@TexasRailAdvocates.org

The Bush-appointed Amtrak Board of Directors took a strong stance in late April with a reform package asking for $1.82 billion for fiscal year ’06 to run national network passenger rail service. Board chairman David Laney of Dallas indicated that the $1.82 billion is needed for operating the existing network and to continue the “state of good repair” capital program.
 
While parts of the “reform plan” may be controversial, Amtrak President David Gunn in a message to his co-workers said “I would remind you that reform will happen and we can either shape that reform or be its victim”. Texas Rail Advocates supports reforms that are needed to make national network passenger rail service strong for both social needs and economic development. A strong passenger rail system unites small towns with large cities; attracts business and industry because of a steady supply of workers; makes it possible for businesspeople, families and friends to have travel choices; helps in slowing the growth of traffic congestion on major intercity highways; helps to lower air pollution levels by taking people off the road and onto the rails and can be a lifeline for our aging population with mobility issues. America deserves a decent passenger rail system.
 
Your local representative in Congress needs to hear from you that you support the “Laney Plan” for Amtrak funding. If congress enacts the provisions of the reform package, it would mean that rail would be placed on the same basis as funding for highways and air. Federal capital grant programs would match 80 percent federal, 20 percent local on corridor rail planning. Currently, passenger rail matching programs are set as 0% federal, 100% state match. The results of a shift to the 80/20 funding mechanism would mean that the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor would be far more appealing to legislators with tight budgets in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma than at present.
 
The entire reform plan is available to view on the Amtrak website at www.amtrak.com/pdf/strategic06.pdf. You might not agree with every aspect of the reform plan, but this is a good start. It’s time to rebuild this country’s passenger rail system. Please contact your local congressional representative and let their office know by phone and fax that you are in favor of the $1.82 billion Laney Amtrak Plan.