Tainsmag.com just reported that Although it appears thah Congress won't pass an Amtrak appropriation measure until sometime after Election Day next month, Amtrak is receiving sufficient funding to avoid another shutdown crisis.
"Currently, like other parts of the government, Amtrak is being funded by a continuing resolution," Amtrak President David L. Gunn wrote in a Friday memo to employees. "It appears we're being funded at a rate of just over $1 billion a year until Congress and the president sort out these budget issues. And that's good enough, along with about $160 million in our cash, to keep us going for a fair while."
So there's no immediate threat of any route cutbacks, Gunn wrote.
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
That's good news! I read that Amtrak will receive the money one month at a time (totaling about $1 B), but I can't confirm this.
Posted by efin98 (Member # 1943) on :
When he does get the $1.2bil he wants(we all know how the house will bow to the all mighty voters), he really should look into finally fixing the Superliners(some have been waiting years to get some servicing) and maybe preserving or rerouting some of the endangered routes(come on, save the Southwest Chief!).
Posted by Eric (Member # 674) on :
Repairing the Superliners is one of the top items on Gunn's list, so hopefully we'll get 'em back out there.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
Gunn said he was going to start repairing cars whether the money comes through or not. Like the Nike ad, he said just do it. Here's the full story: http://www.nationalcorridors.org/gunn073102.shtml
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy