(The following appeared on the Toronto Star website on May 23.)
TORONTO — A U.S. congressional panel approved a measure that would invite proposals to privatize Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and boost spending on the passenger railroad.
The House transportation committee’s backing of the bill, which would call for more than doubling Amtrak funding to $14.3 billion (U.S.) over five years, paves the way for a vote in the full House. The move follows Senate’s passage of another Amtrak measure last year.
Supporters said channeling more money to passenger rail and inviting private-sector investment would help travellers cope with higher gasoline prices and airfares.
The legislation would solicit proposals for running service that would make the trip in 2 hours or less. That compares with the current 2 hours, 28 minutes for Washington-based Amtrak’s fastest train on the route.
The railroad moved a record 26 million passengers in 2007.