(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 27, 2009.)
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Amtrak officials say it could be hard to restart rail service if the state of Vermont decides to discontinue a passenger train between Albany, N.Y., and Rutland.
The Douglas Administration is considering eliminating a $1.4 million subsidy to the train as a way to save money.
Amtrak passengers would be able to ride a bus to and from Rutland to connect with trains in Albany.
Amtrak Governmental Affairs officer Raymond Lang told a House committee Thursday Amtrak has no excess equipment so it might be hard to revive the Rutland-Albany rail link.
Lang says the federal economic stimulus bill provides $8 billion to the states to expand intercity passenger rail across the country.