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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#11-05)
February 14, 2011

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

President "walks the walk" on passenger rail<http://www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/president_walks_the_walk_on_passenger_rail/>

The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) applauds the President's forward-thinking rail proposal to, in Secretary LaHood's words today, do "big things [rather than just] march in place."

NARP President Ross Capon praised the plan: "Integrating passenger trains into an expanded Transportation Trust Fund recognizes that passenger rail is a vital transportation choice. This is an important step forward to ensure that trains are not the 'odd man out' when it comes to federal transportation investment. This could be a key point in providing the public with real transportation choice to cope with crippling road congestion and steadily-rising gas prices."

The proposal, part of President Obama's fiscal year 2012 budget request released today, would provide $8 billion for intercity passenger rail, including Amtrak. The $8 billion is a down payment on the President's six-year, $53 billion plan which aims to "keep the country on track toward a system that gives 80 percent of Americans access to a modern passenger rail system featuring high-speed service within 25 years."

White House support for $8 billion-$4 billion for network development, and new infrastructure and equipment; and $4 billion for state of good repair on Amtrak, and operating support for crucial corridors-is exciting news for train passengers. Capon said, "We stand ready to support enactment of such funding, which we recognize will be a big challenge."

There is, however, an immediate concern about how many Amtrak employees might be laid off in the next several weeks. The House this week has before it a continuing resolution that would cut Amtrak's Fiscal 2011 capital grant 20%, or $202 million. This is likely to mean significant layoffs. The cut is particularly harsh since it must be sustained in less than seven months.

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