Hotline #940 - July 26, 1996

The Senate may vote on August 1 on H.R.3675, the 1997 DOT appropriations bill. It is important that the Senate defeat an amendment expected from John McCain (R.-Ariz.) that would cut Amtrak funding down to the House levels. That would guarantee passage of the House levels which -- it is widely understood -- would kill Amtrak. In a July 25 letter to all Senators, McCain called Amtrak "a service for a relatively few intercity passengers who can afford alternative modes of transportation."

If the Senate does pass the DOT bill next week before the August recess, there could be a House-Senate conference on the bill right after Labor Day. Congressional staffers will be working to prepare for that conference throughout August, so it is important to get word to your legislators that the higher Senate numbers for Amtrak must be kept.

The threat of a national rail strike or lock-out was averted this week. The Transportation Communications Union reached a tentative agreement with the freight railroads just hours before the cooling-off period was to end. Thus, thousands of Amtrak and commuter-rail passengers were spared the effects of a national work stoppage as in 1991 and 1992. Also, Amtrak is spared the cost -- in the millions of dollars -- of lost revenues, added expenses, and depressed bookings that would have lasted a couple of weeks. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, which reached a tentative agreement with the railroads on July 20, still had outstanding issues with Conrail and theoretically could strike in the coming week.

Speculation is widespread about what Amtrak will do to live within the likely 1997 operating grant of $200 million. The Chicago Tribune (July 23) said that Amtrak is considering running some trains through Chicago, including combining the Southwest Chief and Capitol Limited, and combining some Milwaukee, St. Louis, and Detroit trains. The Berkshire Eagle reported on speculation that the Boston section of the Lake Shore Limited may not survive. Amtrak President Tom Downs told the Washington Post on July 16 that the Pioneer and two or three other routes may be eliminated. Amtrak will only say it is looking at every way it can find to live within the $200 million grant.

Though the Amtrak board met this week in Portland, Ore., it did not take decisive action on service cuts. The board will meet again on September 11 and September 25.

Some reports say that the MARTA rapid transit in Atlanta has been carrying three times its normal weekday load, but is still running. Crush crowds have been reported, but some New Yorkers who are visiting Atlanta told the Washington Post that it did not seem out of the ordinary to them. Press reports on transportation problems have focused more on problems Olympic teams have had with charter buses.

The IC3 Flexliner is now in revenue service on San Diegan train numbers 570, 577, 578, and 585, until August 1. It will be on display at Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo on August 3, Salinas August 4, and at San Jose and San Francisco August 5. On August 7, it runs out to Reno, and back on August 8. It is on display at Watsonville on August 9.

Amtrak will open a first-class lounge at Portland Union Station, Ore., on August 5. It will be the first such lounge west of Chicago.

Amtrak has said in a wire story that the Gulf Coast Limited could be dropped at the end of its 90-day trial if ridership does not pick up. The train has been running with an average 25-30% of its seats full.

The derailment of two CSX freight trains in Alexandria, Va., on July 20 caused cancellation, disruption, or rerouting of Amtrak and VRE trains well into July 21.