Finally, a little decent news out of our lackluster Congress.
WASHINGTON - A nearly $15 billion Amtrak bill passed the House Wednesday as lawmakers rallied around an alternative for travelers saddled with soaring gas prices. The bipartisan bill, which passed by a veto-proof margin of 311-104, would authorize funding for the national passenger railroad over the next five years. Some of the money would go to a program of matching grants to help states set up or expand rail service.
The bipartisan bill, which passed by a veto-proof margin of 311-104, would authorize funding for the national passenger railroad over the next five years. Some of the money would go to a program of matching grants to help states set up or expand rail service.
Besides the $14.9 billion provided for Amtrak and intercity rail, an amendment to the bill would authorize $1.5 billion for Washington's Metro transit system over the next 10 years.
The White House has threatened a veto, saying the bill doesn't hold Amtrak accountable for its spending. But similar legislation has passed the Senate, also with enough support to override a veto.
AP
The vote comes on the same day we learn the following news about ridership.
Amtrak, America's struggling passenger railroad, saw record numbers in May when ridership rose 12.3 percent from a year earlier, and ticket sales climbed 15.6 percent, according to company data.
Amtrak President Alex Kummant said the numbers point to a sixth straight year of record passengers. He estimated a more than 11 percent rise this year on its 21,000 miles of track, building on last year's 26 million passengers.
Reuters
Finally, the rail haters have been beaten back into their gas guzzling SUVs.
Every modern country supports their national rail system. Just ask the people stranded in Manhattan during the week of 9/11 how important Amtrak is to America. I was one of them.
The notion that Amtrak is supposed to be completely self-sustaining and require no federal subsidies is Republican hogwash.
I'd love to see the Interstate Highway System pay for itself with no federal support.
Transportation Justice! Here we come.
UPDATE: If you want to experience train envy and see how far behind the US has fallen, check out this French Bullet train video.
World's Fastest Rail Train TGV 574,8 KPH Inside Footage