(Source: National Association of Railroad Passengers press release, April 4, 2014)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) warned that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s proposal to zero out Amtrak’s operating grant would cripple train service for tens of millions of Americans across the nation.
Representative Ryan’s budget directs Congress to eliminate operating subsidies for Amtrak, on the pretext that operating funds have been “insulating Amtrak from making the structural reforms necessary to start producing returns.” Though Ryan is proposing radical cuts to highway and transit spending, he only requires profitability from one mode: passenger rail.
It is certain that by starving Amtrak of funds, the Wisconsin congressman’s plan would cripple the railroad. This would not only deny a critical transportation link to tens of millions of Americans — it would imperil commuter service that 831,000 working Americans rely on each day, eliminate the 20,000 middle class jobs provided by Amtrak, jeopardize the jobs of the thousands of men and women who manufacture Amtrak equipment and materials, and take an economic toll on the hundreds of communities the railroad serves.
NARP is working to secure $19 billion over the next four years to help build a world class passenger rail system that will help America compete by invigorating local economies, and give meaningful transportation options to millions of Americans. A critical part of this plan is securing dedicated funding for trains that will allow Amtrak and states to purchase new equipment and carry out multi-year infrastructure investment plans.
“Amtrak’s total federal grant only accounts for 0.037 percent of the budget, yet provides a critical role in providing mobility for scores of millions of passengers through its intercity and commuter operations. This is in no way a serious deficit reduction measure,” said NARP Vice President Sean Jeans-Gail. “America’s passengers need Congress to stop playing politics, and to start thinking about how we as a country can address the growing infrastructure crisis affecting our rails, highways, and transit systems.”