From a recent Amtrak press release:
"Congress is clearly 100 percent in charge in directing how long distance train service is provided in the United States and has been ever since it created Amtrak more than 40 years ago. Should Congress again decide in the next passenger rail reauthorization to continue a national system, Amtrak is dedicated to ensuring that long distance trains are sustained and run as efficiently and effectively as possible."
Sounds like he's telling Congress "You want them? You pay for them. We'll do our best." The rest of the release talks a lot about the growth of corridors.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Yes he does say Congress is in charge. But he also calls operating long distance trains "a core Federal responsibility." The News Release is to announce his testimony to the Congress. In his testimony he illustrated the operation and importance of long distance trains with the California Zephyr and gives about 9 pages describing that operation. Here is a link:
http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/30/421/Amtrak-CEO-Boardman-House-T&I-testimony-May-21-2013.pdf
John WR http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/30/421/Amtrak-CEO-Boardman-House-T&I-testimony-May-21-2013.pdf
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.