(The Department of Transportation issued the following news release on March 23.)
BOSTON — The federal government will assume control of the network of tracks and equipment that make up Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and rebuild them under the Bush Administration’s proposal to reform Amtrak, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta said during a news conference with Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney today at the State House.
Mineta was in Boston today to meet with Governor Romney to discuss President Bush’s commitment to reform of the nation’s passenger rail system just weeks after the Administration unveiled a budget that proposed an end to taxpayer subsidies for Amtrak.
“Amtrak is dying, and if we continue down the current track, there is no hope of recovery,” Mineta said. “We have a different vision where the Northeast Corridor becomes a world-class example of modern passenger rail travel.”
He said travel throughout the Northeast would benefit because the Amtrak reforms include plans to repair the tracks, tunnels and bridges along the Northeast Corridor. “President Bush understands how vital the Northeast Corridor is, and we are committed to doing what it takes to get these tracks back into shape.”
The proposal, Mineta said, would “level the playing field” between Amtrak and its competitors by freeing Amtrak of the cost of maintaining tracks and stations. Instead, the company would be able to focus on its core operation, “running the trains on time.”
The plan would also introduce healthy competition for better rail service by letting states chose from Amtrak, private companies, or public rail operators to run key routes. And the proposal, Mineta added, would establish a 50-50 federal match for state investments in passenger rail infrastructure, like stations, trains and track.
Mineta announced that he will submit the Administration’s Amtrak reform proposal, the Passenger Rail Investment Reform Act, when Congress reconvenes in April. “Our plan will breathe new life into passenger rail,” Mineta said.
The Secretary’s prepared remarks can be found at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/minetasp032305.htm.