WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D–NJ) called on Amtrak to reduce its trip times between New York Penn Station and Washington D.C. Union Station to less than 2:30. Lautenberg believes Amtrak can achieve these reductions in trip times and enhancements in customer service with capital improvements on Amtrak’s track.
In a letter to Amtrak Chairman of the Board David Laney, Lautenberg wrote, “As a frequent NEC (Northeast Corridor) passenger and one of Amtrak’s most active supporters in the Congress, I know the importance of these capital improvements both to New Jerseyans and the entire region…I would like to know how soon they could be accomplished and at what cost.”
Lautenberg’s letter came on the same day that Amtrak announced a new systemwide timetable and a reduced travel time between New York and Washington trip time by five minutes. The current trip between New York and Washington takes 2:50. With capital improvements to Amtrak’s track, the 150-mile-per-hour Acela trains can travel at its top speed for longer periods on the route.
In his letter, Lautenberg also called for Amtrak to provide more transparency in the intended use of its fare increases for Northeast Corridor passengers. “If these passengers must pay seven percent—or $1 to $3 per ticket—more per trip, what more can they expect for their money? That is a question Amtrak has not yet answered—and it must,” Lautenberg wrote.
A copy of the Lautenberg letter can be found on his website at: http://lautenberg.senate.gov/documents/domestic/10_27_06_FRL_letter_amtrak_fares_acela.pdf
Lautenberg is also a chief sponsor of Amtrak legislation in the Senate. Along with Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), he co-wrote Senate bill S.1516 (http://commerce.senate.gov/pdf/s1516-asreported.pdf) to authorize federal funding to improve service on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The bill is ready for consideration by the full Senate, after having been approved by a committee by a vote of 17-6. A similar version of the bill was approved by the Senate last year by a vote of 93-6. Congress is expected to return to session on November 9.