Hotline #869 - March 17, 1995

Here is a quick run-down of tomorrow's rallies, all at Amtrak stations -- Albany, 9:30 am; Atlanta, 7:00 pm; Baltimore, 2:00 pm; Buffalo-Depew, 9:00 am; Emeryville, 7:00 am to 10:15 am; Martinez, 7:30 am to 11:00 am; New York, 1:00 pm; Orlando, 3:45 pm; Raleigh, 12:00 noon; Syracuse, 11:30 am; Tampa, 2:00 pm; Toledo, 9:00 am.

The House Budget Committee yesterday approved eliminating $100 billion in federal spending over the next five years, including $1.6 billion in Amtrak operating grant cuts. The operating grant seems to decline gradually. Capital funding would be frozen at current levels, which Amtrak has said is not enough to bring it to a state of "good repair." The Committee has endorsed the Administration's 1996 budget request.

This is no time to relax. First, Budget Chairman John Kasich (R.-Ohio) has promised to return with another $100 billion in cuts by June. Some Committee members are pressing him to cut more from Amtrak. Second, most trains cannot survive without some federal operating grant, although this need could be reduced if Amtrak is able to make hoped-for efficiencies.

The House Amtrak authorization bill mark-up, scheduled for March 24, has been postponed.

The Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee will have an Amtrak hearing March 23. That same day, NARP Executive Director Ross Capon will testify at a general public witnesses hearing in the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.

The State of Vermont today formally announced that a day train called the Vermonter will run from Washington to St. Albans, via Springfield and Palmer, beginning April 2.

The first "Future of Amtrak Task Force" public forum is set for Racine, Wis., on March 28, hosted by Governor Tommy Thompson.

The Coast Starlight did not run south of Portland for a few days because of severe flooding along the coastal route -- particularly at Watsonville -- and because of a damaged bridge at Red Bluff, near Redding. That route was open again by the end of the week.

The eastbound Illinois Zephyr yesterday morning struck a freight car that had derailed on an adjacent Burlington Northern track at Berwyn, Ill. The food service car derailed, and there was one minor injury.

Amtrak has a special All-Aboard fare for the spring and summer, which allows unlimited stopovers. However, the fares are good for 30-day tickets, rather than the usual 45 days, and are non-refundable. The familiar 45-day, three-stopover fares are still offered, too.

The dedication of the new Amtrak station at Ontario, Cal., is March 22 at 12:00 noon.

New Jersey Transit will increase its Philadelphia-Atlantic City daily round-trips from six to nine when Amtrak service on that line ends April 2.

The ballot measure to create a rail transit network in the Seattle area was defeated on March 14.

Region 4 meets tomorrow at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 9:30 am to 1:45 pm. The speaker is Amtrak Chief Financial Officer Betsy Reveal. Also tomorrow, Regions 7 and 9 meet jointly at Bloomington, Ill, at the Jumers Hotel, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Speakers include former Federal Railroad Administrator Gil Carmichael and NARP President Jack Martin.

Region 5 meets at Fayetteville, N.C., on March 25 at the Prince Charles Hotel, 10:00 am to 8:30 pm, with some special events the night before and day after. Speakers include NARP President Jack Martin.