(The following editorial appeared on the Stamford Times website on April 12.)
STAMFORD, Conn. — On another transportation issue, we hope there is some chance for a bipartisan effort by Senators Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey Democrat, and Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, to properly fund Amtrak, the national rail service.
They are proposing a bill to provide $19.2 billion in the next six years.
This is in contrast to the bare-bones $800 million proposed by President Bush. That is simply more of the administration’s effort to give Amtrak just enough to ensure it will fail.
The bipartisan bill would be a boost for the Northeast Corridor service.
Congress should also look at how the freight lines have dominated the rails, forcing Amtrak trains to give way.
While we applaud the movement of freight on trains rather than in trucks, it should not be at the expense of passenger service.