Amtrak's CEO has issued a response to the passing of the FY24 Bill. The CEO expressed gratitude for the support provided by Congress in the bill and highlighted the significance of the funding for Amtrak's operations. The CEO also emphasized the importance of investing in rail infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable transportation for passengers across the country. The CEO further outlined Amtrak's commitment to providing high-quality service and expanding its network to connect more communities. Overall, the response conveyed a sense of appreciation and dedication to improving the nation's rail system.
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the FY24 Bill which includes a reduction in funding for the American transport sector. This move has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from industry players such as Amtrak's CEO Stephen Gardner.
Concerns over Reduction in Funding
Gardner has expressed his concerns over the reduction in funding for the Department of Transportation (DOT) grant programmes by $6.616 billion, which is 59% below the FY23 level. He believes that this could have a severe impact on Amtrak's service nationally and could potentially lead to job losses.
While Gardner acknowledges the historic investment in passenger rail infrastructure, he highlights that Amtrak still relies on Congress to provide annual funding to run its trains and maintain its national network. He points out that the IIJA advanced appropriations can only be used for dedicated infrastructure and capital projects such as bridges, tunnels, and stations.
Gardner concludes by emphasizing that Amtrak cannot use the IIJA funding announced yesterday to operate its trains or maintain its infrastructure, fleet, and facilities.
Call for Congressional Action
He calls on Congress to reconsider the House-proposed bill to cut Amtrak's annual appropriations by 64 percent and to provide adequate funding to ensure that Amtrak can continue to provide its vital service to communities across the country.
Concerns for American Transport Sector
The passing of the FY24 Bill with bipartisan support has raised concerns about the future of the American transport sector. It remains to be seen how this reduction in funding will impact the industry and whether Congress will take action to address these concerns.
(This article is sourced from globalrailwayreview.com and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
