WASHINGTON, D.C. — Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads Chairman Jack Quinn, R-NY, called today’s speech by Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta on Amtrak “helpful,” but said it “doesn’t address the short term needs of Amtrak.” Sec. Mineta in his speech laid out five principles of “significant reforms to our national rail policy.”
“As Railroads Subcommittee Chairman, I understand and can accept reasonable reforms to Amtrak,” said Chairman Quinn. “I look forward to making the reforms necessary to ensuring a solvent and viable national rail service, and will work with the Administration to accomplish that goal. I don’t think that privatization of Amtrak is the answer, nor is separating it from federal support the way to proceed.
“Although Secretary Mineta’s announcement of five principles will now give us a chance to have a serious discussion on the future of Amtrak, they do not adequately address the national rail passenger service’s short term needs. Amtrak says it needs $1.2 billion to prevent a cut in jobs or loss of service. Current Chairman David Gunn gave an even more dire prediction – that if Amtrak isn’t granted a $200 million loan, it will go bankrupt and end service. Despite these circumstances, Secretary Mineta said the Administration opposes funding in excess of the $521 million included in the budget unless some of the reform principles are included. Amtrak has made it clear that it needs more money – and forcing reforms on the struggling rail service is not what it needs.
“With Secretary Mineta’s announcement today, the only logical conclusion one can reach is to give Amtrak the $1.2 billion it needs to survive with some oversight reforms. If we don’t, the Administration’s ‘principles’ for Amtrak reform are pointless. There will be no passenger rail service around to fund. We need less talk and more action. Once we give Amtrak enough money to stay afloat, then we will be able to have a logical and much-needed debate on how to secure Amtrak’s future. Until that happens, Amtrak is on a course to be derailed.”
“It is unimaginable that the greatest country in the world would let its national rail passenger service fail,” said U.S. Rep. Bob Clement, Ranking Democrat on the Railroad Subcommittee. “Whatever the long-term vision of the Administration is, we must preserve Amtrak in the short term if we are to strengthen and enhance the role of passenger rail in this country.”