ALBANY, N.Y. — The Associated Press reports that Amtrak is seeking more money from New York at a time when the railroad is already millions of dollars behind in commitments to improve tracks and service in the state, the Pataki administration contends.
State Transportation Commissioner Joseph Boardman said Amtrak wants states like New York to cover a “significant” portion of its capital costs and operating losses, both of which have historically been a federal responsibility in the intercity routes of the Northeast.
“Amtrak’s actions call into question Amtrak’s commitment to deliver a quality passenger service to New Yorkers,” Boardman said. “Amtrak is consumed with its survival, and is no longer focused on the nation’s intercity rail passenger needs.”
Amtrak’s finances are troubled. The railroad’s board of directors approved a $3.4 billion budget in October, but it assumes $1.2 billion in federal aid that has not been approved by Congress.
Boardman’s comments were in response to an October briefing Amtrak officials delivered for the Coalition of Northeastern Governors.
At that briefing, Boardman said it became clear Amtrak wants to have New York and other states absorb increases in the railroad’s operating losses while failing to recognize the investments Northeastern states have already made that benefit Amtrak. The rail carrier also failed to detail just how much it was talking about in additional costs to states, Boardman said.
He said recent negotiations with state officials by Amtrak executives have centered around the state’s Adirondack line between Montreal and Schenectady _ talks which Boardman said seemed headed toward demands by Amtrak for tens of millions of dollars more for the route from the state.
But he said there have been no discussions about improvements to Amtrak’s busiest station in the United States _ Manhattan’s Pennsylvania Station _ which is used by some 400,000 local commuters and long-distance train travelers each day. State and local officials recently unveiled a plan to create a new Penn Station using both the current station and the space now occupied across the street by the U.S. Post Office.
Other grievances aired by Boardman included unresolved issues involving Amtrak facilities and both the Long Island and Metro-North railroads; making improvements to accommodate high-speed trains on New York routes, and addressing fire and safety needs at Penn Station and tunnels under the East River used by Amtrak trains to exit and enter New York City.
The state is contributing $22.3 million to Amtrak operations in New York in 2002, the state Department of Transportation said.
Boardman said Amtrak is more than $14 million behind in its commitments to improve tracks and other infrastructure along its Empire Corridor between Niagara Falls and New York City to accommodate a new generation of higher-speed trains. The rail line also is behind on design plans for a double track between its busy station in Rensselaer, just across the Hudson River from Albany, and Schenectady, according to Boardman.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Black said from Washington Friday that Amtrak officials have received Boardman’s complaints.
“We’ll respond to the correspondence duly to the commissioner,” he said. “Beyond that, we decline comment.”