WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congress’ approval of short-term financial help for Amtrak is expected to allow the rail carrier to call back most of the more than 200 workers laid off in February at a maintenance center in Indianapolis, the Associated Press reported.
Of the 228 workers laid off at the Beech Grove Maintenance Facility, Amtrak has indicated it plans to return 180, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Indiana, said Tuesday. Forty-six of those workers will return immediately, with the rest coming back when total funding is approved as early as next year, Bayh said.
About 600 workers are now employed in Beech Grove, Amtrak’s central repair yard for damaged rail cars. The center, built in 1908 on Indianapolis’ south side, employs roughly half of Amtrak’s Indiana workers.
Amtrak has previously indicated that repair of wrecked cars would be a top priority once Congress approved short-term financial help.