Hotline #949 - September 27, 1996

Congress still may fund through early May the trains Amtrak planned to cut November 10, as well as the Gulf Coast Limited, which otherwise would make its last trip September 30. This extra Amtrak money would be included in the pending continuing resolution that Congress must pass before it can adjourn.

The money already is in the Senate version of the bill. Senators Hatfield (R.-Ore.) and Lautenberg (D.-N.J.) took the lead in providing these funds. The Senate bill includes $22.5 million for the six months of added service, plus additional Northeast Corridor funds.

The major obstacle to passage is House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf (R.-Va.). Partly because of Wolf's opposition, Rep. Bob Livingston (R.-La.), who chairs the full Appropriations Committee, has not supported the additional funding even though the Gulf Coast Limited serves his New Orleans district.

Senator Roth (R.-Del.), meanwhile, has been working hard to get the half cent attached to the continuing resolution. The next few days will be crucial to Amtrak's future. Please call -- again -- your Members of Congress to support efforts happening now with the continuing resolution to provide more funds to run threatened Amtrak trains, and to provide for the Amtrak half cent.

The Amtrak board approved a five-year business plan for Amtrak, a 1997 capital budget, and a 1997 operating budget, on September 24. All board members voted for each measure, except Dan Collins, who holds the labor seat and voted against each one. The operating budget included the recommendations by Amtrak Intercity management to end all service to 42 stations. Several members expressed regret at the service cuts. Don Pease said that the resulting network is barely acceptable as a national network, and that any more cuts would end any pretense of a national network. Sylvia De Leon expressed special regret over the demise of the Texas Eagle, noting the strong community support shown at regional forums last year. She unsuccessfully urged the board to consider an exception for that train. Deputy Transportation Secretary Mort Downey called the service cuts "tough and perhaps risky choices."

Should Congress reverse the board's actions, it is not yet clear what would happen to the additional frequencies Amtrak has planned. Our best guess is that the City of New Orleans will switch to daily anyway, the New York-Florida service will be restructured as planned, and the Capitol Limited-Southwest Chief run-through will go forward. It is unclear whether the Broadway Limited will run. Still, Senator Hatfield's proposal is important because it keeps Amtrak in key markets like Dallas, while the new Congress decides what to do with Amtrak.

Today's Wall Street Journal reports that Transportation Secretary Pena is sure to leave the Clinton Administration next year and that Chicago Mayor Richard Daley may be his successor.

Amtrak trains using CSX tracks in North Carolina are still experiencing significant delays, three weeks after Hurricane Fran came through. The reason given is signal problems. CSX's indifference to passenger trains is quite well known. But these signal problems must also be affecting CSX's freight customers. This is 1996, not 1896, and passengers hope CSX some day will figure out a way to keep its antiquated signal system from blowing down at every breeze.

Michigan DOT expects to start its trial of 110-mph service on the line between Kalamazoo and New Buffalo on October 11. Initially, only a 20-mile segment in the center of that line will be tested, but more will be added as the changes to the signal system are made. The current speed limit is 79 mph, due to the lack of cab signals. A new signal system using computer terminals in engine cabs and satellite technology will be used. Amtrak and the FRA are participating.

Also, the Journal of Commerce reports that Michigan DOT is preparing a study that so far calls for a three-route commuter rail system for Detroit. Fourteen trains a day would serve Ann Arbor, Pontiac, and Mount Clemens.