Passenger Trains > Foxx cautious on Amtrak reauthorization

Note that "Northeast Joe" Boardman may be about to get what he
wants: a Northeast-only Amtrak, with its bills paid for by the
whole country.

And the darling of Amtrak propaganda, the "money-making Northeast Corridor"
Big Lie, lives on...

=======================================================

Foxx cautious on Amtrak reauthorization
USA TODAY
November 19, 2014

> WASHINGTON – Administration officials see a bright future for
> high-speed passenger rail, despite a House bill that would send
> federal money for those trains only to the Northeast Corridor,
> Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Wednesday.
>
> Foxx told USA TODAY reporters the administration would not stand in
> the way of efforts to help the Northeast Corridor, where Acela trains
> between Boston and Washington travel at 150 mph only in limited
> locations.
>
> “I think we are still bullish on the future of high-speed rail in the
> country but, you know, we are not going to argue against
> opportunities to improve the system in the Northeast Corridor,” Foxx
> said.
>
> More than one-third of Amtrak’s 30.9 million passengers in fiscal
> 2014 -- 11.6 million -- rode on Acela and other trains operating
> along the Northeast Corridor.
>
> The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved a
> four-year Amtrak reauthorization that would allow the money-making
> Northeast Corridor to reinvest its profits in capital improvements --
> including high-speed rail -- instead of helping finance money-losing
> routes elsewhere in the country.
>
> The Amtrak reauthorization is not expected to get a floor vote until
> sometime after the 114th Congress convenes in January. The Senate has
> not completed work on its Amtrak reauthorization.
>
> Foxx emphasized the need for a “robust” passenger rail system.
>
> The administration’s four-year proposal for reauthorizing
> transportation programs, called the Grow America Act, would spend
> $302 billion on highways, bridges, transit and rail.
>
> Passenger rail would get $19 billion, Foxx said.
>
> “One of the things that Amtrak has suffered from is not having a
> predictable sustainable investment, really living a hand-to-mouth
> kind of existence,” he said. “And that’s made it really difficult to
> do things like the maintenance that needs to happen, to ensure the
> system is sustainable long term.”
>
> Current annual federal funding for Amtrak is $1.4 billion. None of
> that money is available for high-speed passenger rail.
>
> Since regaining majority control of the House in 2011, Republicans
> have blocked administration efforts to fund high-speed passenger rail
> projects.
>
> During Obama’s first term, the administration awarded $8 billion in
> grants for 13 high-speed rail projects around the country using money
> in the 2009 economic stimulus bill.
>
> Foxx pointed out that high-speed rail projects are continuing to make
> progress in California, Texas and Florida.

LINK:

Foxx cautious on Amtrak reauthorization



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/14 10:18 by GenePoon.

(snip)
> >
> > Foxx pointed out that high-speed rail projects
> are continuing to make
> > progress in California, Texas and Florida.
>
> LINK:
>
> Foxx cautious on Amtrak reauthorization

It's interesting that he cited these three examples. Federal participation in two of the three isn't significant.

He could have mentioned Michigan, which is showing good results. Or Illinois, which is showing some results.

To me, it's no longer important what Sect. Foxx says about Amtrak; or for that matter, the Obama Administration either. What counts now is the new Republican controlled Congress after Jan. 1, who I feel will probably be hostile to long haul trains.

As Sect. Foxx says, Amtrak has suffered a "hand to mouth kind of existence"; and that Republicans have blocked HSR projects for the last three years. Now with Congressional control; I fully expect these conditions will be pursued to an even greater degree.

The State run trains seem to be "safe"; and if the new Congress only wants to support the NEC; that's great with me; at least we will see improvement and continued growth here. But; I'm afraid the new Congress will have the LD trains in their gun sites--and they're out to eliminate them.

Isn't it strange; why some politicians dislike Amtrak trains; despite their popularity with the public; and most have excellent ridership.

Joe

We have heard the dire predictions many times but this time it really does seem that the enemies of Amtrak, passenger rail in general, and mass transit really do have the political muscle to swing the ax and do some real damage.

If memory serves me correctly, while Republicans have been Amtrak's biggest critics, more long distant trains have been discontinued under the Democrats. Why? Maybe because more Republican Congressional districts are served by long distant trains. These are districts with low population density, long driving distances, poor air service, limited bus services and harsh winters. These are districts that save for their post offices and (pork-barrel) military installations, the locals would see little for their federal taxes. When FDR was once asked why he focused on improving the postal service (then a Cabinet department) he replied that for most citizen the post office was their only direct contact with the federal government and as such if it ran well the public would be inclined to think that the whole federal government ran well and vise verse. Remember that it was under "Tricky Dick" Nixon that Amtrak was formed and it was during the first so-called "Fuel Crisis" that Nixon gave Amtrak a shot in the arm funding.

"Ride 'em now"

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To me, it's no longer important what Sect. Foxx
> says about Amtrak; or for that matter, the Obama
> Administration either. What counts now is the new
> Republican controlled Congress after Jan. 1, who I
> feel will probably be hostile to long haul
> trains.
>
> As Sect. Foxx says, Amtrak has suffered a "hand to
> mouth kind of existence"; and that Republicans
> have blocked HSR projects for the last three
> years. Now with Congressional control; I fully
> expect these conditions will be pursued to an even
> greater degree.
>
> The State run trains seem to be "safe"; and if the
> new Congress only wants to support the NEC; that's
> great with me; at least we will see improvement
> and continued growth here. But; I'm afraid the
> new Congress will have the LD trains in their gun
> sites--and they're out to eliminate them.
>
> Isn't it strange; why some politicians dislike
> Amtrak trains; despite their popularity with the
> public; and most have excellent ridership.
>
> Joe



This Bill is already made up in Oct, before Congress went on vacation, all this New Congress needs to do is Pass the Bill in 2015 for 4 years. Its a Done Deal.

railcity Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> (snip)
>
>
>
> This Bill is already made up in Oct, before
> Congress went on vacation, all this New Congress
> needs to do is Pass the Bill in 2015 for 4 years.
> Its a Done Deal.



That's my understanding, as well. Continuing resolutions basically call for the continuation of the status quo, with no major changes.

But, the various interest groups like to get their base supporters fired up, and gain more contributions, by emphasizing what COULD happen. Amtrak's allowance from the feds is in the same bucket as the highway bill, canals and rivers, airports, etc.

To: Railcity

I don't believe it's a done deal--yet. My understanding of where Amtrak 2015 funding stands is this:

The House Sub-Committee has authored the proposed bill we are all discussing; but, the FULL House has yet to vote on it; and the Senate has yet to take any action. Amendments are possible. After both houses finalize a bill; then comes the reconciliation process (unless the House and Senate agree with each other on Amtrak funding; which may very well happen with one party being in control).

Maybe I'm being too pessimistic; but I fear the new Congress intends to tare Amtrak to shreds. It's in their party platform to eliminate Amtrak and they will probably try to do it. Since Amtrak is a totally political animal; there is not much any of us can do about it. Amtrak is now in the hands of a new crop of politicians who don't like them very much.

Apparently the new group are willing to fund the NEC (probably because they themselves use it); GREAT; I'll be tankful for anything that survives.

Joe

Make noise!!

While granted the political climate is not favorable for Amtrak at this time, Obama and Biden are still considered "pro-rail" compared to some of their predecessors, and the Democrats in the Senate could play the same obstructionist role regarding bills and budgets their Republican colleagues have played over the past several years. So while I do see an effort on the part of some Republicans to cut Amtrak's subsidy, especially the LD trains, given Amtrak's improved financial position and the other issues that are certainly going to take place between the White House and Congress, Amtrak may end up being just too small an issue to garner that much attention. There is the possibility that one or two LD trains could take a hit, but I think the majority of the LD network will remain.

I know there has been much discussion on these forums about the cost-cutting occurring on the LD trains, but in the long run these measures may serve to save this service. Sure we may not have flowers in the diner, or unlimited water in the sleepers, but we may still be able to ride in a private room, eat a meal in the diner, and grab a drink in the lounge. If that is the worst that comes out of the next 2 years, I will be happy.

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Isn't it strange; why some politicians dislike
> Amtrak trains; despite their popularity with the
> public; and most have excellent ridership.

Probably the result of lobbying efforts by certain parties that want Amtrak to go away.

If there's anything that influences a politician, it's a briefcase full of cash.

Totally eliminate Amtrak and you wouldn't even notice any change in the fed deficit.

It's certainly true that most of Amtrak's route miles and intermediate stops are located in Red states, rather then Blue. But are they smart enough to realize that? And do they care more about serving their constituency or feeding their party base? I think I know the answer to that question, but time will tell.

CA_Sou_MA_Agent Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> floridajoe2001 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Isn't it strange; why some politicians dislike
> > Amtrak trains; despite their popularity with
> the
> > public; and most have excellent ridership.
>
> Probably the result of lobbying efforts by certain
> parties that want Amtrak to go away.
>
> If there's anything that influences a politician,
> it's a briefcase full of cash.

They can't get that briefcase-full, unless they get votes, which is their primary job.

Passenger rail advocates are easy pickin'. Not enough to cause civil unrest, but enough to influence close votes. That's why mainstream conservatives use passenger rail as fodder to push bigger issues (the fiscal responsibility pipe dream), and the mainstream liberals squeeze every ounce of rail advocates' voting emotions with empty promises. People never learn so this game will continue, while Amtrak continues its downward spiral.

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Ride 'em now"


How many times have I heard that! JEEZ you Chicken Littles sure do know how to show up when the doom and gloom shows up about the LD Trains and I doubt Boardman's just NEC, besides at least he's doing something, when Warrington was in the NEC was falling apart!

Amazing article.

Every single paragraph contains at least one lie.

Maybe we should turn over the Postal Service and Obamacare to Amtrak and watch Broadway Joe work his miracles.

1

The House is always harder on Amtrak. Why? Many, many house districts have no rail service. The reps don't know or care about Amtrak, only about bacon for their district.

In their seemingly infinite wisdom, the founders set up a Senate. Virtually every senator (save South Dakota, Alaska, Hawaii, Wyoming--am I missing any) have Amtrak service in their district. It is the Senate that often "saves" Amtrak funding. Expect that again. In spite of the R majority in the Senate, many R senators support Amtrak. Senator Collins in Maine is a huge supporter. There are many others.

Ride em now? Sure. Why not? Will they be gone in two years? Don't count on it.

What I think many Republicans want is reform at Amtrak. That, to me, seems valid. The question is how do you get it? By zeroing out Amtrak? That does not do it. There must be another way that not only preserves rail but helps it. The micromanagement of Amtrak by Congress is an attempt to fix Amtrak. It is the wrong approach, as we have seen, and it often does more harm than good.

Stay tuned. It will be interesting, frustrating, and in the end Amtrak will live another day. Sometimes the status quo is not that bad, and this may be one of those times.

In the meantime, shoot an email to your Rep and Senator. Do it now. If they get 10 messages, they feel it is a strong statement and they listen. Contact them. Email today, email and phone call if and when things get tough.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/14 05:48 by Chessie1963.

Responding to Railcity, floridajoe2001 wrote in part:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> ...Maybe I'm being too pessimistic; but I fear the
> new Congress intends to tare Amtrak to shreds.
> It's in their party platform to eliminate Amtrak
> and they will probably try to do it. Since Amtrak
> is a totally political animal; there is not much
> any of us can do about it. Amtrak is now in the
> hands of a new crop of politicians who don't like
> them very much.
>
I think you are being too pessimistic. The behavior of elected Republicans who ran (in part, any) on an anti-Amtrak platform up to now has been to publicly denigrate Amtrak, to use it as a rhetorical (campaign trail) punching bag, but when the time comes to vote on killing it, they stop short of casting the vote to un-fund the outfit and instead vote to keep it limping along. Why have they persisted in tearing the winds of this fly? Two possible reasons: to keep them from having to find a new punching bag (Amtrak makes a dandy, highly visible target for their jabs, and their reelection is always less then two years down the road, so an Amtrak still in business ensures them an easy campaign issue), or because they lack the political cajones to publicly vote to kill it.

[Parenthetically, whichever of the two (or both) reasons, their electoral base has gotten tired of the business as usual, sell us out the day you arrive at that Capitol Hill office) which is what, for Amtrak produces something far more threatening: the Tea Party movement, people who have tired of decades of empty promises and want action. But that's another story.]

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> To: Railcity
>
> I don't believe it's a done deal--yet. My
> understanding of where Amtrak 2015 funding stands
> is this:
>
> The House Sub-Committee has authored the proposed
> bill we are all discussing; but, the FULL House
> has yet to vote on it; and the Senate has yet to
> take any action. Amendments are possible. After
> both houses finalize a bill; then comes the
> reconciliation process (unless the House and
> Senate agree with each other on Amtrak funding;
> which may very well happen with one party being in
> control).
>
> Maybe I'm being too pessimistic; but I fear the
> new Congress intends to tare Amtrak to shreds.
> It's in their party platform to eliminate Amtrak
> and they will probably try to do it. Since Amtrak
> is a totally political animal; there is not much
> any of us can do about it. Amtrak is now in the
> hands of a new crop of politicians who don't like
> them very much.
>
> Apparently the new group are willing to fund the
> NEC (probably because they themselves use it);
> GREAT; I'll be tankful for anything that
> survives.
>
> Joe

One problem. These Amtrak-haters do NOT have Veto-Proof margins. Thankfully.