By Tim Leeds, Havre Daily News; June 14, 2019
A report from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee very directly tells Amtrak to reverse course on plans on some cuts and shifting of funding of long-distance trains to state governments.
“The Committee strongly reminds Amtrak that Section 24701 of title 49, United States Code, requires Amtrak to operate a national passenger rail system,” the committee said in its report June 4 on its planned markup of the 2020 Transportaion and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. “Further, the Committee directs Amtrak to seek any potential changes to the National Network through the reauthorization of the (Fixing America”s Surface Transportation) Act and urges Amtrak to ensure any such proposals also increase ridership in rural areas and improve service for long-distance customers.”