Hotline #818 - March 25, 1994

The Surface Transportation Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on March 23 on Amtrak reauthorization. The hearing, chaired by Al Swift (D.-Wash.), was very sympathetic to Amtrak. Swift said that in the U.S., "We hold rail to an entirely different standard than we do other modes." He also said, "It always annoys me when a Member [of Congress] who uses his subsidized automobile to get to his subsidized airport gets up here and harasses Amtrak subsidies." There were five witnesses -- Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris, General Accounting Office transportation official Ken Mead, Amtrak President Tom Downs, NARP Executive Director Ross Capon, and Harriet Parcells, Project Director of NARP's Campaign for New Transportation Priorities.

The Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Frank Lautenberg (D.-N.J.), held a hearing yesterday on Amtrak funding in 1995. Again, the tone of the hearing was supportive of Amtrak's needs. Yesterday's two witnesses were Molitoris and Downs. Lautenberg lamented the fact that last year's high-speed rail authorizations seem to have disappeared. He also criticized the Administration for not taking advantage of its National Highway System authorization bill to include a provision to make Amtrak an eligible program for ISTEA flexible funding. Lautenberg called Amtrak's proposal to take the fuel taxes it pays and start a modest passenger-rail capital trust fund "a great idea."

The Amtrak board met March 23. It was announced that the North San Diego County Transit Development Board had decided to begin negotiations with Amtrak for commuter service. If a contract is adopted, Amtrak would begin operating trains between San Diego and Oceanside on October 1. The only other applicant was Herzog Company, which recently acquired UTDC.

Rep. Dave Obey (D.-Wis.) was elected on March 23 to associate chairmanship of the House Appropriations Committee. That gives him day-to-day control over the panel, since the current chairman, William Natcher (D.-Ky.), has been hospitalized almost continuously for a month. Natcher is expected to retire soon, putting Obey in line for actual chairmanship.

The Talgo train made a special VIP Washington-Philadelphia round-trip on March 21, followed by a luncheon at Washington Union Station. Speakers included DOT Secretary Pena, Federal Railroad Administrator Molitoris, the Spanish Ambassador, the president of the Spanish railways, and other Spanish government officials. The train left Washington the morning of March 22 and arrived in Seattle yesterday.

The Talgo train begins revenue service between Seattle and Portland on April 1 at 11:30 am, with a ribbon-cutting at 11:20 am. Tentatively, there is a publicity trip planned for March 29 from Vancouver to Seattle, with stops at Bellingham and Everett. On March 30, the Talgo is expected to be in Portland. On March 31, it is on display 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm at King Street Station in Seattle.

Los Angeles Metrolink will take over the Orange County single commuter round-trip from Amtrak on March 28, and add two more round-trips. There also will be some Thruway bus changes.

One train set on the Silver Meteor got at-seat video and audio programming on March 15. All three sets will have it by mid-April.

Last week, NARP Region 4 elected George Billmyer, Ken Briers, Jim Churchill, Rolf Schmitt, Jack Stith, and Van Wilkins to the NARP board. Region 6 elected Paul Arden, Mark Carlson, Alan Gebauer, Howard Harding, Phil McGeath, and Jim Stevenson. Region 9 elected Mervin Bauske, Trav Burgess, Bill Eldridge, and John Roach. Tomorrow, Region 7 meets at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells; and Region 11 meets at the Town House Restaurant in Albuquerque. On March 27, Region 5 meets at the Lake Monroe Holiday Inn in Sanford, Fla.