Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz joined a bipartisan majority of her colleagues in voting in support of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. This plan, which passed 311 to 104, aims to modernize and strengthen Amtrak. As gasoline prices continue to rise, public transit is a smart and practical alternative to help our country reduce oil consumption and lessen its dependence on foreign imports. Right now, public transportation saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline each year.

 “Amtrak is vital to economic growth in the Philadelphia region. 30th Street Station is the third busiest station in the entire national Amtrak system, and without a reliable and affordable train system, the economic engine of Southeastern Pennsylvania could be crippled. Today’s vote sent a strong message of the bipartisan support that exists for Amtrak and the need for forward-thinking federal investment in our nation’s railways and in public transit in general,” said U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz.

“President Bush is acting irresponsibly and incredibly out of touch to the tens thousands of Pennsylvanians that ride Amtrak regularly and to countless business that depend on Amtrak by threatening a veto. His veto threat is simply unacceptable,” added Schwartz.

In addition to her strong support for the overall legislation, Schwartz worked with her colleagues Reps. Patrick Murphy of Bucks County and Rush Holt of New Jersey to successfully pass an amendment that requires Amtrak to evaluate passenger rail service between Cornwells Heights, PA, and New York City, NY, and also between Princeton Junction, NJ, and New York City, NY. 

Cornwells Heights and Princeton Junction have been hubs for commuters who travel to work in New York City.  However, a combination of fare increases and service cuts has drastically reduced the number of riders from these stations.  At Cornwells Heights, ridership was once on an 11% growth track.  Now, Amtrak has permanently canceled half the stops at the station. 

The hope of the amendment is that Amtrak will determine a way to help commuters and rail passengers by either expanding passenger rail service through increasing the frequency of stops or by reducing commuter ticket prices for this route.

Key Provisions of Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008

• Increases Capital and Operating Grants to Amtrak.  The bill authorizes $4.2 billion (an average of $840 million per year) to Amtrak for capital grants and $3.0 billion (an average of $606 million per year) for operating grants.  Past inconsistent Federal support has hampered Amtrak’s ability to replace catenaries, passenger cars, bridges, ties, and other equipment necessary for Amtrak to provide service.  These capital grants will help Amtrak bring the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair, procure new rolling stock, rehabilitate existing bridges, as well as make additional capital improvements and maintenance over its entire network.  In addition, the operating grants authorized under the bill will help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, overtime pay, fuel costs, facilities, and train maintenance and operations.  These operating grants will also ensure that Amtrak can meet its obligations under its recently negotiated labor contract. 

• Develops State Passenger Corridors.  In an effort to encourage the development of new and improved intercity passenger rail services, the bill creates a new State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail capital projects, and based on the New Starts transit capital program administered by the Federal Transit Administration.  The bill provides $2.5 billion ($500 million per year) for grants to States to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide new or improved intercity passenger rail.  The Federal share of the grants is up to 80 percent.  The Secretary of Transportation would award these grants on a competitive basis for projects based on economic performance, expected ridership, and other factors.

• Provides Funding for High-Speed Rail Corridors.  The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, established to develop a national transportation vision to address surface transportation needs for the next 50 years, recommends that the United States establish a high-speed rail network that spans the entire country.  The bill authorizes $1.75 billion ($350 million per year) for grants to States and/or Amtrak to finance the construction and equipment for 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors.  The Federal share of the grants is up to 80 percent.  The Secretary of Transportation would award these grants on a competitive basis for projects based on economic performance, expected ridership, and other factors.

###