National Association of Railroad Passengers
900 -- 2nd St., N.E., Suite 308 202/408-8362, fax 202/408-8287
Washington, DC 20002-3557
rcapon@narprail.org; http://www.narprail.org

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 25, 2001 - #01-11 Contacts: Ross Capon, Scott
Leonard, 202/408-8362

[Note to Reporters: More information is at <www.narprail.org>. For
current and historical maps of U.S. intercity passenger rail service
back to 1962, click on "Resources" and then click on "Service-Related
Resources."]

In the wake of the terrible tragedy of September 11, it is important--in
the words of Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta--that "we do not
allow the enemy to win this war by restricting our freedom of mobility."
The U.S. desperately needs
a more balanced transportation system in which rail plays a much bigger
role.

Amtrak took on unusual importance right after the tragedy. During
September 12-18, ridership was up nationwide and the increase on the
long-distance trains was 35%. However, we believe that intercity rail
must play a bigger role over the long term -- particularly for
discretionary trips of any length, and for shorter-length business
trips. [The Washington Post September 24 editorial, "Keep the Trains
Running," including an endorsement of the long-distance trains, is at
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14202-2001Sep23.html>.
Today's New York Times editorial, "Trains Need Help, Too" is at
<http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/25/opinion/25TUE2.html>.]

It has become more apparent than ever that our transportation system and
economy
would be far stronger and more resilient if we had a world class
passenger rail system.

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorialized September 21, "The
horrible events of September 11 should make clear to everyone,
especially members of Congress, that the solution to national
transportation problems isn't simply safer planes, but better trains."

It is critical that the High Speed Rail Investment Act (S.250, H.R.2329)
be enacted this year. Enactment would let states begin to invest in
corridors DOT already has identified.

Finally, we support Amtrak's $3 billion short-term request to meet
safety, security and capacity needs, like repairing out-of-service
equipment so nationwide capacity can be enhanced quickly, and speeding
up the much-criticized timetable for completing fire and life safety
work on the New York tunnels.

NARP Executive Director Ross B. Capon observed, "This important
emergency package is no substitute for a long term commitment to a
nationwide system. We note that Amtrak has clarified that--just as most
of the repaired existing cars will run outside the Northeast--the ten
new train sets in this package may also serve markets outside the
Northeast."

People want and need meaningful travel choices - including modern train
service. On the last day Congress was in session in 2000, Senators Lott
and Daschle promised action this year on the High Speed Rail Investment
Act. To this end, NARP strongly urges the Congress and President Bush to
act now. The issue has become too important to become the subject of
another call to "wait until next year."

======================================================

On Capitol Hill, a $40-billion package relating to general security, military, and relief issues was quickly made law. Beyond that, in recognition of the great harm caused to airlines by last week's shutdown, and the big role aviation plays in the national economy, Congress and the Bush Administration have begun considering a substantial aid package. A House proposal a week ago for $15 billion in aid to the airline industry has become a $17 billion proposal supported by House, Senate, and Administration leadership, and is moving rapidly. It would provide $5 billion in direct grants to airlines that can show losses relating to last week's attacks, and the rest in credits or loan guarantees. But Congress must not forget about passenger rail. Amtrak played an important role last week, even with its assets stretched very thinly by decades of underfunding and a misguided mandate for operational self-sufficiency. That enhanced role will continue as many people who are now reluctant to fly look to rail as an alternative, and as longer waits in air terminals will make many rail trips more time-competitive. Amtrak's security costs are also increased (as implied above). On September 19, 16 Senators wrote to Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, saying they had asked Amtrak for a proposed aid package resulting from last week's attacks, and that Congress and the Administration ought to provide the funding for that package. The Senators were Hutchison (R.-Tex.), Hollings (D.-S.C.), Spector (R.-Pa.), Biden (D.-Del.), Schumer (D.-N.Y.), Kerry (D.-Mass.), Jeffords (I.-Vt.), Corzine (D.-N.J.), Carper (D.-Del.), Torricelli (D.-N.J.), Kennedy (D.-Mass.), Clinton (D.-N.Y.), Sarbanes (D.-Md.), Mikulski (D.-Md.), Reid (D.-Nev.), Chafee (R.-R.I.), and they deserve your thanks and encouragement. Media reports of the 18-month, $3.2-billion package that Amtrak developed in response to the Senators' request began appearing yesterday and today. About $1.5 billion would go toward improving passenger safety and security nationwide, including more Amtrak police and security officers and accelerating safety work on the Amtrak tunnels in New York. Another $1.6 billion would go toward expanding capacity, including repairing wreck-damaged and stored cars and locomotives; overhauling more equipment; improving selected track segments, catenary segments, and bridges in the Northeast Corridor; and perhaps an order of ten train sets (of unspecified type). Amtrak will need this funding -- in whatever upcoming legislation is appropriate -- if it is to play a more meaningful and reliable role in the new transportation environment in the U.S. Another priority is the High Speed Rail Investment Act (HSRIA), which is up to 182 sponsors in the House (click here for a complete list), and which would provide resources to expand rail's role as an air alternative nationwide. Please tell your legislators, the President, and newspaper editors, that Amtrak must have this supplemental funding and that the HSRIA must be enacted this year -- before the expected adjournment of Congress a month from now. Click here for ways to reach your legislators.