Tell Congress to support Amtrak in response to Hurricane Sandy!

In the days and weeks following Superstorm Sandy, the nation was given yet another example of how passenger trains are a vital component of the U.S. economy, and our American way of life.  In the wreckage that came after the hurricane, Amtrak and transit systems across the East Coast ground to a halt, leaving millions of commuters with no access to work, and tens of thousands stranded far from home and their loved ones.  While the agencies were able to restore service relatively quickly, the financial toll has been great.

This week, the Senate is moving a disaster response package (H.R. 6581) sponsored by Senators and Representatives from New Jersey and New York.  The Senate has included $336 million to compensate Amtrak for repair costs and lost revenue resulting from Hurricane Sandy.  Of that money:

• $276 million would go to pay for property damage, offset an operating budget shortfall due to lost revenue during the storm, and support improvements necessary to protect tunnels into Manhattan against future flooding and to increase passenger train capacity into New York City
• $60 million would be to cover estimated operating losses incurred as a result of the storm

The bill would also include more than $10.8 billion for transit systems that hit hard by the storm, including funds to help New York’s subway system and the New Jersey Transit commuter rail system.

Anti-transit groups are already mobilizing against the bill.  With votes expected in the next few days, we need your help now!