House members form caucus pushing for federal supp

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

WASHINGTON - In a sign of more trouble for the Bush administration's

proposal to give the states more responsibility for subsidizing

Amtrak, some Democratic and Republican House members have formed a

congressional group to lobby for continued federal support of the

passenger rail system.

Organizers of the Rail Passenger Caucus say the federal government

needs to provide funds to keep Amtrak trains running and to invest in

its neglected infrastructure and equipment.

"We hope to be the catalyst that will perhaps allow solutions instead

of just a lot of proposals," said Rep. Michael N. Castle, a Delaware

Republican and an organizer of the caucus.

Amtrak, formally the National Railroad Passenger Corp., was created

by Congress in 1970 to replace the network of bankrupt, decaying

passenger lines operated by freight railroads. Amtrak has never

succeeded in fulfilling the goal set by Congress that it become a

self-sufficient company. The government has provided $29 billion in

subsidies since regular Amtrak service began in May 1971.

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[Poindexter118]

Perhaps in some small way, my letter writing to my Congress people, may have done some good. I can only hope so.