By Ron Thaniel
January 31, 2005

Under the leadership of Amtrak Intercity Rail Investment Task Force Chair, Transportation and Communications Vice Chair for Rail Policy, and former Chairman of the Amtrak Board, Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith, the Conference held the inaugural meeting of the Amtrak Intercity Rail Investment Task Force on Tuesday, January 18.

In introducing the mission of the Task Force, Smith said, "The U.S. economy and its future growth depend upon a 21st Century Transportation Policy which intercity and commuter rail is an essential component."

"The time has come to elevate and integrate intercity and commuter rail services within and between communities and regions of the nation," said Smith.

Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic established the Task Force to examine the many intercity and commuter rail issues that affect America's cities, and to help prepare for the anticipated reauthorization of Amtrak in the 109th Congress.

Smith told the mayors that, "In establishing the Task Force, Mayor Plusquellic has instructed the Task Force to report its initial recommendations during the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Conference of Mayors this June in Chicago."

Joining the mayors were David Gunn, President and CEO of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, and Kirk K. Van Tine, former Deputy Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation.

Gunn told the mayors that although the nation's beleaguered rail system has made significant gains in ridership and progress on deferred maintenance, significant challenges remain for the nation's financially strapped passenger railroad corporation.

"Without an increase in funding, Amtrak will continue to postpone capital projects to stay within its budget," said Gunn.

Speaking at the Conference's closing luncheon, Department of Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta reiterated the message he had former Deputy Secretary Kirk K. Van Tine deliver to the Amtrak Intercity Rail Investment Task Force, stating "I will continue to push for reforms that would make Amtrak operate like a private corporation. Federal assistance for intercity passenger rail should be no more generous than it is for highways, metropolitan transit systems, and airports."

"Reform of Amtrak is urgently needed," said Mineta.

Closing the meeting, Smith said, "Over the next five months the Task Force will examine issues ranging from greater integration of the three modes of transportation, long-term and stable financing options for intercity passenger rail, and the future of high'speed and maglev systems."