Rail Passengers Hail Passage of Combined Rail Safety and Amtrak Reauthorization Bill
- Details
- Published Date
- Written by Ross Capon
- Category: Press Releases
- Hits: 219
Release #08-22—October 1, 2008
The following is a statement from National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) Executive Director Ross B. Capon:
“NARP congratulates Congress on passing H.R. 2095, the Rail Safety Improvement Act including the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act. Tonight’s 74-24 vote in the Senate and passage by voice vote September 24 in the House reflect strong, bipartisan, nationwide support for a safer, bigger passenger train network. This support transcends political differences.
“It is consistent with what people are doing. In Richmond yesterday, Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said ‘transit and rail are seeing record growth,’ noted that Amtrak carried more riders in July than in any month of its history, and said Americans drove 3.6 percent less, or 9.6 billion miles fewer, in July 2008 than July 2007.
“Tonight’s vote in the Senate culminates a long process. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act was first introduced in 2005 as S. 1516.
“Reauthorizing Amtrak does not guarantee funding. Passenger train supporters on Capitol Hill and around the nation must continue to work to see that the White House and Amtrak actually request—and Congress provides—the authorized funding so that we can meet growing demand for trains. H.R. 2095 includes increased funding for state partnerships, studies of reinstating the North Coast Hiawatha and Pioneer routes, and a requirement that Amtrak develop a plan to restore service between New Orleans and Florida.
“The safety provisions of H.R. 2095 also will provide a significant shot in the arm for the railroad industry, which has also voiced support for the measure. By mandating and assisting with the deployment of Positive Train Control, this legislation will allow a more efficient and safer rail system for both passengers and freight.
“We thank all those who worked hard to get this bill passed and urge President Bush to sign H.R. 2095 into law promptly.”
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 train service 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 24,000 individual members.