(Bloomberg News circulated the following on February 14, 2011.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rail users said they are concerned that Amtrak, the U.S. passenger railroad, and high-speed rail projects would lose federal money under President Barack Obama’s proposal to create a rail account in a new transportation trust fund.
The proposal for funding a new six-year surface transportation law would end direct operating subsidies to Amtrak and for the first time include rail programs in what has been called the “highway bill.” Amtrak received $1.57 billion in capital and debt service grants, and operating subsidies, in fiscal 2010.
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