Statement on Bush Fiscal 2009 Budget Request
- Details
- Published Date
- Written by Super User
- Category: Press Releases
- Hits: 215
Statement of Ross B. Capon
Executive Director
National Association of Railroad Passengers
On President Bush’s Fiscal 2009 Budget Request
February 4, 2008
“While the Administration’s funding recommendations released today for Amtrak are disappointing, they are not surprising, given this Administration’s eight-year lack of vision for a balanced transportation network and most recent hostility to the recommendations of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission (NSTPRSC), a federal blue ribbon panel.
“Ignoring the recommendations of the NSTPRSC, polls and referenda around the country showing that Americans want passenger trains as a travel choice, and support from Congress, President Bush again has proposed to dismantle the national train system with a shutdown budget of $800 million, a figure $525 million below this year’s budget of $1.325 billion.
“By proposing a 40% cut in Amtrak funds, the Administration would reduce the American people’s travel choices in an era of rising gas prices, concerns about the environment, and hours of lost productivity due to highway and aviation congestion.
“The President’s recommendations mean that, once again, Congress will be called on to provide adequate funds for intercity passenger trains. In recent years, strong bipartisan majorities have rejected proposed Amtrak funding cuts; the Senate passed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act on a 70-22 vote in October.
“With proper leadership from the Administration, we could develop a train system Americans would be proud of. Last June, NARP introduced a vision for a grid-and-gateway network of interconnected transportation options. This vision was broadly endorsed by the NSTPRSC, which recommended replacing the current annual appropriations charade with a stable, integrated fund that would enable rational planning. The expanded passenger train network that Americans need is eminently reachable in the next few decades if we begin to put the pieces into place now.
“Let’s hope the next president recognizes that integration of passenger trains into a comprehensive national transportation policy will be crucial to preserving and expanding transportation choices for our citizens now and for years to come.”
About NARP
NARP is the largest citizen-based organization advocating for train and rail transit passengers. We have worked since 1967 to expand the quality and quantity of passenger rail in the U.S. Our mission is to work towards a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice Americans want. Our work is supported by over 23,000 individual members.