Hotline #191 - May 18, 2001

During Senate Finance Committee consideration of the tax-cut bill this week, Robert Torricelli (D.-N.J.) filed an amendment that was a new version of the High Speed Rail Investment Act (HSRIA). Though the committee did not consider this amendment, its existence is helpful because it eases two key concerns of some members. The new bill makes clear that no new Highway Trust Fund money will go to passenger rail as a result of the bill, and eliminates any "federal preemption" of state and local property taxation rights. (Railroads are unlikely to agree to pay increased property taxes due to HSRIA-funded improvements, but that issue now probably will be covered in project-specific agreements negotiated with the railroads.)

Though the "Torricelli substitute" does not yet have a bill number, it already has 22 co-sponsors, including Max Baucus (D.-Mont.), the ranking Finance member, and Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D.-S.Dak.). The others are Allen, Boxer, Carper, Chafee, Clinton, Corzine, Dayton, Dodd, Durbin, Kennedy, Kerry, Leahy, Mikulski, Murray, Rockefeller, Sarbanes, Schumer, Specter, Torricelli, Warner.

NAPR wrote to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, a member of President Bush's National Energy Policy Development Group, noting that "better train service is not about sacrifice. It conserves energy while giving travelers more choices." Click here for the full text. Similarly, "the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and its 1,400 member organizations [yesterday] called on President Bush and congressional leaders to support public transportation as part of a comprehensive energy policy" (APTA release).

President Bush released his energy policy proposals this week. The main thrust of the report is to increase the amount of energy available to meet a growing national demand, with suppressing that demand to meet supply (whether called "conservation" or "energy efficiency") a secondary concern. However, the report directs its authors (the aforementioned Group, chaired by Vice President Dick Cheney) to "review and make recommendations on using the nation's energy resources more efficiently." It also recommends a tax credit for owners of fuel-efficient automobiles, such as hybrids that sometimes run on gasoline and sometimes on brake-generated electricity.

The report says "transit ridership has increased 21% since 1996," and "conservation can be improved by car pooling, telecommuting, increasing public transit choices, and pricing highway use during periods of peak demands" (both quotes on page 65). However, despite passenger rail's superior energy efficiency compared to other modes (on the basis of energy consumed per passenger mile), the policy makes no recommendations regarding passenger rail. Given proposals for tax credits for use of fuel-efficient vehicles, perhaps users of passenger trains should qualify as well. Click here for the full text.

Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.), chairman of the Commerce Committee, will hold a long promised "Amtrak oversight" hearing on May 22, 9:30 am. Highly critical of passenger trains in general, and Amtrak in particular, McCain has called for a "national debate" on whether the U.S. needs passenger trains. Witnesses are expected to include Amtrak President George D. Warrington, DOT Inspector General Ken Mead, and representatives of the General Accounting Office and Amtrak Reform Council. Hearing topics will include the General Accounting Office's views on the High Speed Rail Investment Act and recent Amtrak Reform Council recommendations.

Amtrak President George Warrington will appear before the National Press Club at a May 24 luncheon meeting in Washington. His remarks, "Getting America Moving Again -- Solutions for our National Transportation Crisis," will be broadcast live on National Public Radio and filmed for later broadcast on the C-SPAN cable television network.

As we reported last week, Amtrak Chairman Tommy Thompson announced he would resign from the Amtrak board. This is effective May 23. It opens the way for Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to join the board, filling the slot formerly occupied by former Secretary Rodney Slater. It also creates a vacancy (Thompson's). Passenger rail supporters don't come more energetic and well informed than Thompson, and his contributions will be missed.

Amtrak began selling a Florida Rail Pass on May 10. It allows Florida residents to use any Amtrak train in Florida (plus Orlando-Tampa-Fort Myers buses) at any time, without a reservation. (This means standee status on those relatively rare occasions when no seats are available.) It is good for a year and sells for $199 ($249 after August 10). Also, Amtrak has a 30th Anniversary fare (G/PRO/ANV), 30% off regular, full adult fares, May 22-August 31. Purchase by June 15. Several restrictions, black-outs apply. This promotion (like the recent 25% individual fare) is not available on Amtrak's web site.

An additional weekend Pacific Surfliner frequency will begin running May 25. It will run Friday, Saturday, Sunday only between San Diego and Los Angeles, making the 12th round-trip there on those days.

The High Speed Ground Transportation Association had its annual spring conference in Milwaukee this week ("Advocacy for Intercity Passenger Rail"). It got a fair amount of coverage in the local paper, and there was a public tour yesterday of a rebuilt RTL-III turbo train, designed for 125-mph Empire Corridor service. The turbo train was rebuilt by Super Steel Products Corporation (of Schenectady and Milwaukee). Super Steel and its partner Siemens Transportation Systems, is behind one of the two remaining proposals for Midwestern high-speed train sets still being considered -- the other proposal is from Talgo. The pending proposals are for the first 13 sets of an eventual fleet of 52 sets, plus maintenance bases in St. Louis, Pontiac, Mich., and Milwaukee or Madison, Wis. A consortium of officials from Amtrak, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan are expected to choose between the two proposals. Ultimately, all progress in this area depends on passage of the High Speed Rail Investment Act, to provide a federal match for state investment in Midwestern corridors/long-distance routes.