For Release: Friday, November 18, 2005
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

AMTRAK RECEIVES $1.31 BILLION, CURRENT OPERATIONS MAINTAINED

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the final version of the Transportation-Treasury-HUD Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2006 approved by the House of Representatives included $1.31 billion for Amtrak.  The funds guarantee that current operations will continue.  Costello, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Railroads Subcommittee, strongly advocated for the funding, holding a press briefing in Carbondale earlier this year with Glenn Poshard to talk about the importance of Amtrak to the region. 

"Amtrak is a vital part of our national and regional transportation network," Costello said.  "Our nation depends on Amtrak to provide an alternative to air and automobile travel, and Southern Illinois University depends on Amtrak to bring students to campus.  The Congress has made another strong commitment to preserving national rail service, and I will continue to support these efforts."

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