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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#11-03)
February 4, 2011

Contact: Sean Jean-Gail - 202-408-8362 [cell: 202-320-2723]


CALL TO SHUT DOWN PASSENGER TRAINS IS ON COLLISION COURSE WITH MIDDLE EAST EVENTS

Ending federal funding for passenger trains-as Republican Study Group urges-would increase American dependence on imported oil

As democratic unrest sweeps across North Africa and the Middle East, the National Association of Railroad Passengers is asking Congress to sweep aside a proposal that would gut passenger rail and transit. Instead, U.S. leaders should focus on policies that give Americans real travel choices and reduce the nation's massive dependence on imported oil in the transportation sector.

The democratic uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria-and perhaps elsewhere-highlight the risk of America's overreliance on oil and the potential inability of Middle Eastern nations to maintain current oil export levels. It also serves as a reminder that gas prices could rise above $4 a gallon more quickly than previously expected.

Despite these developments, the Republican Study Committee is urging an end to U.S. intercity passenger train service, eliminating federal funding for Amtrak and high-speed rail. The proposal also has huge mass transit cuts, including elimination of New Starts, a vital resource in building new transit lines. The Committee includes over two-thirds of House Republicans.

The House Budget Committee is considering drastic reductions in passenger train funding which could also lead to a service shutdown.

If adopted, these policies would deprive Americans of important transportation choices, make America more vulnerable to uncontrollable events overseas, and lead to substantial layoffs at Amtrak and transit agencies.

NARP calls on Congress to fully fund intercity passenger trains ($2.65 billion for Amtrak, and at least $3.5 billion for the high-speed rail program) to build a truly national rail passenger system and embrace President Obama's goal of putting high speed rail within reach of 80% of Americans within 25 years. Passenger trains and transit will help address the consumption side of our oil dependency by providing energy-efficient transportation choices, while creating good paying, non-exportable jobs for our citizens.

Energy consumption facts:
* The U.S. transportation system is 96% petroleum dependent, accounts for 71% of the country's oil use, and consumes 25% of the world's net output.
* Amtrak is 30% more energy efficient than cars, and 20% more efficient than air travel (based on BTUs per passenger mile).
* Public transportation saves the U.S. 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline every year-more than three times the annual amount imported from Kuwait.
* U.S. motorists' fuel consumption alone accounts for eleven percent (11%) of the world's total oil production.
* Trains are the only mode which can run on electricity over long distances at high speeds.

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