WASHINGTON — Amtrak, citing signs of help from Congress, backed away Friday from its threat to issue notices that would allow it to cut its long-distance train network as early as the fall, reports a wire service.
Instead, the railroad sent an update letter about its continuing quest to win $1.2 billion in federal funds for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The letters went to governors of the 46 states Amtrak serves.
Amtrak President George Warrington wrote that he is encouraged by the response of lawmakers. However, he added, “uncertainties associated with the legislative process” mean Amtrak must prepare for the possibility that it will not receive enough money to maintain current service.
He reiterated that 18 long-distance trains are “at high risk.”
Warrington announced Feb. 1 that Amtrak would issue formal discontinuance notices by March 29, reserving the authority to cut routes in October when the new fiscal year begins. Amtrak is required by law to give 180 days’ notice before it discontinues train service.
But in his letters to the governors, Warrington said such formal notice is not necessary “in circumstances like this, where train service rests on the availability of federal appropriations.”
The shift in tone reflects the fact that Amtrak has made headway in convincing federal officials that the nation’s passenger rail system needs more money.
“My sense is that there’s now a sense of urgency in Congress that wasn’t there before,” said Amtrak Vice Chairman Michael Dukakis, the former governor of Massachusetts.