Hotline #971 - February 28, 1997

The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Frank Wolf (R.-Va.), held hearings this week on 1998 funding. NARP Executive Director Ross Capon testified on February 25. Chairman Wolf went out of his way to say he supports Amtrak and the Northeast Corridor, but he is still angry about the money that got added in at the last minute last fall to keep the threatened trains running another six months. Wolf said if states did not come in and save those trains now, then that was federal money "down the rat hole."

In response to that, Texas Transportation Commissioner David Laney said his state is working on a $5.6-million loan to Amtrak to keep the Texas Eagle running from May 10 to September 30. Texans should tell their state legislators to support this loan, part of an emergency appropriations bill that may be introduced next week.

Subcommittee Ranking Member Martin Olav Sabo (D.-Minn.) is skeptical of Amtrak taking gas tax money from the 4.3 cents that goes to deficit reduction. He was even more skeptical when highway witnesses said they wanted the 4.3 cents to be returned to its "original purpose," building highways. Sabo reminded them that the 4.3 cents, passed in 1993, was never meant to be used for highways.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee had a hearing on ISTEA on February 26. William Fay of the American Highway Users Alliance made outrageous claims about the minimal impact on highways if Amtrak shut down between Philadelphia and Washington. Chairman John Chafee (R.-R.I.) didn't buy that at all. He grilled Fay about congestion on I-5 between Los Angeles and San Diego. Chafee said without Amtrak the road might still have room for all the cars, but they'd only be going two miles an hour.

There was a public meeting at Pendleton, Ore., February 22, to discuss the future of the Pioneer. Speakers included both U.S. Senators from Oregon, Ron Wyden (D.) and Gordon Smith (R.); Amtrak President Tom Downs; and the speaker of the state legislature. Downs said he hoped that mail and express could save the Pioneer in the long run, but that some additional funding would be needed to keep the train running between May 10 and such time when non-passenger revenues would grow.

Congress passed a short-term aviation ticket tax renewal this week. Seven days after the President signs it into law, the 10% ticket excise tax would be restored, only through September 30, the end of the fiscal year. There is also a proposal circulating on Capitol Hill for a 42-cent-a-gallon tax. Discount airlines want to keep the ticket tax, while other airlines prefer the fuel tax.

The Federal Railroad Administration proposed new rules involving passenger train safety on February 24. The rules were formulated through the relatively new advisory committee process, in which NARP participates. Railroads would be required to mark, inspect, and test coach emergency exits; commuter railroads would have to conduct emergency simulations at least once every two years; and Amtrak would have to conduct emergency simulations six times a year. The rules were published in the February 24 Federal Register.

Amtrak is making draconian changes in its hold policy for reserved trains, except Metroliners. Currently, there is a 14-day hold -- meaning you have to pay for your ticket in that time or lose your reservation -- except for seven days on the Florida trains. Effective tomorrow, all non-Metroliner, reserved trains have a seven-day hold, except three days on the Crescent, and an unbelievable one day on the Capitol Limited and Southwest Chief.

Tampa kicks off its month-long RailFest '97 tomorrow. The centerpiece will be demonstration runs and displays of the RegioSprinter diesel light rail car around the area.

NARP Region 4 meets in Baltimore March 15; Region 5 meets in High Point, N.C., March 15-16; Region 6 meets in Sidney, O., March 15.