Happening Now
"Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act" Introduced
March 23, 2021
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) and Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) have introduced the "Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act" that will provide approximately $5.4 billion a year in permanent funding for Amtrak.
For Immediate Release (21-03)
Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail (202) 320-2723; [email protected]
Washington, D.C. — Rail Passengers Association has endorsed the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act released today by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representative Danny Davis (D-IL). The bill would provide 5.4 billion in dedicated annual funding for Amtrak.
“The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act provides the predictable, dedicated funding required to drive the next great expansion in the U.S. passenger rail network,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “If Americans are ever to have access to a world class transportation system, we need to take seriously the problem of how this country funds the creation of modern, efficient passenger rail services; that is just what this bill does. We applaud Senator Blumenthal and Representative Davis for the ambition on display in this legislation, and we stand ready to work with them to pass this proposal into law.”
Of the $5.4 billion, 40% would be reserved for the Northeast Corridor and 60% would be reserved for the National Network—which includes both State-Supported and Long-Distance services.
The legislation has also been cosponsored by Reps. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). The full text of the Senate legislation can be found on Sen. Blumenthal’s website and the bill summary can be found here.
About Rail Passengers Association
The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays in towns all across America.
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"The COVID Pandemic has been and continues to be the biggest challenge faced by Americans as it has taken a deadly toll on the world and on the world’s economies. During COVID Locomotive Engineers at Amtrak and other Passenger and Freight Railroads have embodied the definition of essential workers. This dedication by our members is not new. We applaud the Rail Passenger’s Association for recognizing the vital contributions of our members and their hard work moving Americans and freight during the COVID pandemic."
Dennis Pierce, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President
December 21, 2021, on the Association awarding its 2021 Golden Spike Award to the Frontline Amtrak Employees.
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