(The following is excerpted from a statement issued by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday regarding President Bush’s 2009 budget proposal.)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that the budget President Bush delivered to Capitol Hill today proved yet again that the Bush Administration’s priorities are out of touch with needs of middle class Americans.
Transportation:
“Amtrak is vitally important to Illinois,” said Durbin. “Unfortunately, the President and his Administration are once again attempting to privatize and eventually eliminate Amtrak rail service. Year after year, these political games drive Amtrak to the brink of insolvency and Congress is forced to ride to the rescue.”
Amtrak- National Impact:
The President’s 2008 Budget would once again derail Amtrak by allocating just $900 million for Amtrak service nationwide, roughly $425 million less than what the rail line needs to operate. The cuts could force closure of some routes.
Amtrak- Illinois Impact:
Chicago and 29 other communities in Illinois that serve over 3 million people would see a reduction or possible shutdown of Amtrak service. Durbin noted that Amtrak trains in Illinois have seen phenomenal growth on the trains from Chicago to St. Louis, Quincy, and Carbondale. This past year, those three routes saw a greater increase in ridership than any other line in the Amtrak system. The Chicago-Quincy routes — the Illinois Zephyr and the Carl Sandburg — have seen 41.4% growth in ridership in the last year. The Chicago-St. Louis line — the Lincoln — saw a 55.8% increase in ridership. The Chicago-Carbondale routes — the Illini and the Saluki — have seen an outstanding boost of 67.4%. Therefore, it is vital that Amtrak receive the proper level of federal funding so that these trains can continue to operate.