Roanoke's dream of Amtrak service could evaporate if the House GOP members have their way on the 2012 budget.
Despite record-breaking Amtrak ridership and strong support for intercity passenger rail by 15 states, the House Republican transportation budget plan will effectively eliminate all state-supported Amtrak service across the country for the fiscal year beginning October 1.
The FY 2012 Transportation-HUD House Appropriations Subcommittee budget proposal offered by the Majority prohibits the use of federal funds provided to Amtrak to fund any operating costs of state-supported trains. If enacted by the full Congress, it will eliminate nearly 150 weekday state-supported trains and negatively impact the more than nine million passengers who ride those trains each year and the communities they live in.
One of these targeted state sponsored trains is the popular Northeast Regional service from Lynchburg and Norfolk.
Amtrak Virginia worked to develop passenger rail within the Commonwealth and has plans along with the Norfolk Southern to possibily expand service to more residents. However, the GOP plan would eliminate the portion of the funding given by Amtrak to make these trains possible.
Without the network of state-sponsored trains, Amtrak's long-distance trains such as the Autotrain, Cardinal, Silver Service and Crescent will have less passengers and could be the next on the chopping block.
Want to preserve a future which includes Rail options in Virginia?
Contact your US Senators and House Representative TODAY and let them know that Virginia wants rail service which includes funding for state-sponsored trains!
Honorable Mark Warner (Senate D-VA)
459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2023
Honorable Jim Webb (Senate D-VA)
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4024
Honorable Bob Goodlatte (House R-VA 6th)
2240 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5431 Fax: (202) 225-9681
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