By Kevin McCarty
November 12, 2007

On October 30, the Senate voted 70-22 to approve legislation authorizing significantly higher funding levels for the nation’s intercity passenger rail system, Amtrak, and a new program to assist states in developing intercity passenger rail services.

This successful outcome was made possible by a bipartisan agreement developed by Senators Frank Lautenberg (NJ) and Trent Lott (MS), who guided the legislation through a lengthy Senate debate, which included the consideration of numerous amendments and approval of a cloture motion to limit debate on the measure.

Several Senators who supported the legislation were participating in previously'scheduled Presidential Debates when the final vote was taken, understating the even larger majority behind this authorization measure, a level of support which is expected to easily withstand a future Presidential veto.

The legislation, entitled the “Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act” (S. 294), reauthorizes Amtrak over the next 6 fiscal years and creates a new federal'state program of matching capital grants to support state initiatives to develop new passenger rail services. As approved, the legislation embraces many of the key recommendations set forth in the Conference’s policy position on these issues, A National Intercity Rail Policy for the 21st Century, which was adopted in June by the Conference’s Membership during the Los Angeles Annual Meeting.

S. 294 authorized $11.4 billion for passenger rail over six years, including an average of about $555 million annually for Amtrak operations and a total of $1.4 billion in new matching grants to states for intercity passenger rail development.

In comments following Senate action, Lautenberg said, “The funding and improvements in our bill will improve Amtrak and make train travel a more attractive option throughout the country. When travelers choose the energy efficiency of rail over cars and planes, they reduce gridlock, help combat global warming and even reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”

Lott in his statement addressed two longstanding challenges to continued federal funding of Amtrak, stating, “Preserving national passenger rail service shouldn’t be based on partisan ideology or Amtrak’s profit margins.” Emphasizing the need for a more balanced national transportation system, he said, “Preserving Amtrak is about ensuring that America has a complete transportation system – one that includes planes, trains, lanes and ports.”

Senate support for the legislation was certainly bolstered by rising public support for expanded passenger rail services in America and the growing record of Amtrak’s successes. The railroad posted significant travel gains in many key corridors and it achieved its fifth successive year of record ridership. Amtrak boardings are up by more than seven percent during 2007, as compared to less than two percent growth in air passenger enplanements and flattening rates of auto travel in many parts of the country. Press reports are increasingly acknowledging these successes as well, including coverage by The Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine and The New York Times.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to consider its companion legislation in February.