Senate Appropriations, Letter encouraging full Amtrak funding in Fiscal 2009

July 8, 2008

The Honorable Patty Murray, Chair
Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
The United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Murray:

Appreciating that budgets are always tight, we strongly urge you to make every effort to provide the $1,671 million Amtrak has requested plus the $114 million for back pay recommended by Presidential Emergency Board 242 and at least $60 million for state intercity passenger train programs, for a total of $1,845 million.

With gasoline over $4 a gallon, transportation responsible for 70% of U.S. oil consumption and Amtrak ridership going through the roof, Congress must step up to the plate and provide funding for the expansion of intercity passenger train service that is so obviously needed and which the public wants.

Thank you for considering our views.

Sincerely,

Ross B. Capon
Executive Director