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Rahall Leads Amtrak Reauthorization

05/09/08

In honor of National Train Day, being celebrated on Saturday, May 10, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, Vice Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, cosponsored H.R. 6003, The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.  The bill would reauthorize funding for Amtrak for the next five years and reinvest in our Nation’s passenger rail system.

“Americans, especially West Virginians, love their railroads,” said Rahall.  “Protecting and fully funding our railroads must be among our government’s top priorities.  This bill provides a long-overdue infusion of funding needed to upgrade and rehabilitate our Nation’s rail network and, once again, give Amtrak a needed boost.” 

National Train Day marks the 139th anniversary of the completion of America’s first transcontinental railroad and the 38th anniversary of Amtrak.  On May 10, 1869, the famous golden spike was driven into the ground at Promontory Summit, Utah, to celebrate the connection of East and West via rail.  Today, passenger rail service remains a vital means of transportation and an important cog in America’s economic engine.  Amtrak reports that, in 2007, it set a new record for ridership, exceeding 25.8 million passengers, and generating more than $1.5 billion in ticket revenue -- an 11 percent increase from the previous year.

In the past, inconsistent federal support has hampered Amtrak’s ability to replace passenger cars, bridges, and other infrastructure and equipment necessary for Amtrak to provide safe and efficient service.  This bill authorizes $14.4 billion for Amtrak programs for fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to maintain and upgrade the entire rail network and help to pay for salaries, healthcare, overtime, fuel costs, and facilities.  Cosponsorship of H.R. 6003 is just the latest of Congressman Rahall’s repeated efforts to restore the needed Federal investment in Amtrak, including Amtrak's Cardinal Line, which runs through southern West Virginia.

“Rising gas prices and air travel delays have spurred a return to rail travel,” said Rahall.  “At the same time, these record rail traffic levels are placing added pressure and safety concerns on our aging rail system.  This legislation honors the important role railroads have played in our Nation’s history and the benefit they promise to our future by taking steps to improve and modernize our rail system to ensure its success for years to come.”