Amfleet
Engineer
Full article can be found here.House Bill Would Give Amtrak $900M
WASHINGTON - Rejecting efforts to further cut federal subsidies for Amtrak, the House settled Thursday on giving the money-losing railway $900 million next year. It is the amount President Bush proposed but only half what Amtrak says it needs to retain existing services.
The question of Amtrak's future dominated debate on a $89.3 billion bill to fund Transportation and Treasury programs in the budget year starting Oct. 1. Several supporters of the national rail system also tried, without success, to substantially increase Amtrak's funds.
A final vote on the legislation might not come until next week.
This is certainly unfortunate. If Amtrak only recieves $900 million, is there any other way for the railroad to rack up another $900 million?