HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-25-23 Correspondence - High Speed Rail Alliance - September Update High Speed Rail
Alliance
September 14,2023
Cyndy Andrus
Mayor
City of Bozeman,MT
121 N Rouse Ave
Bozeman,MT 59715
Dear Mayor Andrus,
This is a quick update for leaders of communities that are,or should be, served by an Amtrak
long-distance inter-regional train.
As you know,these trains are multi-purpose mobility machines linking hundreds of cities, big
and small,together. They help people reach families,doctors,and economic opportunities often
hundreds of miles apart. It is past time to invest in the new trains and better tracks needed to get
them running right.
As you know, September is always a crazy month in DC as Congress rushes to get multiple
appropriations bills out the door and this year is no different. But this year,the House is
proposing to slash the already minimal funding for the Federal Railroad Administration (which
includes Amtrak).
Can you add these points to your asks as you communicate with your Representatives and
Senators this year?
1. Congress should fully fund the FRA in the 2024 federal budget.
The FY2023 budget appropriated $3.3 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration.
This is the bare minimum needed to maintain the existing system. On July 12,T-HUD
marked up just$1.4 billion for FY2024—less than half of this year's amount. That isn't
enough to keep existing trains running,let alone buy the new trains needed to replace
Amtrak's outdated fleet.
In 2021,the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized almost$7 billion in funding for
FY2024. We need Congress to actually appropriate that full amount to build a modern
national network.
2. Amtrak needs new rolling stock—quickly. Amtrak acquired most of its passenger cars
HIGH SPEED RAIL ALLIANCE
4765 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625 773.334.6758 1 HSRail.org
more than forty years ago,and its stock of cars in working condition has dwindled. The
national railroad compensates by running shorter trains,but many of these sell out,even
at high prices. This shows clearly that many more Americans would ride the train,if
there was a train to ride.
Amtrak officials have said that it could take years to get new rolling stock—but we also
know that Amtrak has cars simply waiting (and waiting)for repairs. Please tell your
representatives in Congress that Amtrak should show urgency in repairing whatever
rolling stock it can,while placing orders for new equipment. The United States needs to
foster the development of a consistent supply chain for passenger trains with steady
orders that manufacturers can depend on—not a spree every few decades.
3. Amtrak's Board still needs nationwide representation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law passed in 2021 has geographical requirements for Amtrak's Board of Directors,in
order to ensure nationwide representation. Unfortunately,five of six new nominees
represent states in the Northeast Corridor,and none represent states in the West.
The Alliance appreciates the strong position that U.S. Senator Jon Tester(D-Montana)
has taken. While praising the qualifications of the candidates put forward by the Biden
Administration,Senator Tester has insisted "the slate of Amtrak board nominees must
comply with the law."The Alliance believes in the importance of maintaining and
improving our network of long-distance trains to serve communities nationwide. To do
this,the Amtrak Board needs representation from states across the country.
Thank you again for your leadership and interest in modern trains for communities like yours. If
you have questions or suggestions,please contact me at rick@hsrail.org or 773-334-6758.
Sincerely,
Rick Harnish,Executive Director