This seems like good legislation to me. Less op subsidy and more for capital. It means we’ll wind up with better service, a longer term future and not just limp along with the same-old Amtrak for another year. Nice to hear Gunn say it’s a good start, too.
http://tinyurl.com/beeut
The previous proposal for $1.4B “limp along” money from the Senate was very depressing.
Also, rode round trip on NEC from Phila to NYP last week on “Regional” trains. Track was amazingly smooth, interlockings pretty rough. HHP8 with 12+ cars hitting 120 mph was pretty amazing, too. Amfleet coach with new “peel and stick” interior was OK. Rode in one with “original” interior on the way back and thought it was pretty clean. I’m not sure if all that “peel and stick” plastic is really necessary to freshen up the interior - maybe just a good scrubbing and new uphostery.
…I can’t remember Mineta ever saying anything positive about Amtrak…and reflecting on the proposals of the legislation noted above of course he is spewing out negative smoke and mirrors stuff because it doesn’t "get rid of " the system as his boss very well wants to do…
I think the fact that Lott and some other Rep. Sens are on board will make it hard for the Prez to follow thru with Mineta’s veto promise. I also suspect that the final version after conf. with the House will be a bit more “severe” in terms of reform and $$ allocated to Amtrak. Still, I think this is a move in the right direction.
Guys,
Study the proposals carefully though. I am “cautiously” opmtimistic, however one of the back door “strings” that are also being pushed is to kill the food and sleeping car service. Of course, do that and you’re still assuring that the service will lose customers.
Hopefully these little “hang nail” attachments will be eliminated as well.
Personally I think it would be great if Amtrak could “subcontract” dining car service out but the union agreements have to be honored. I would suggest that for any “NEW” service that food service be contracted out, but its likely this won’t happen. There are fewer long distance trains now than there were when I was a teeny bopper back in the 70s.