Washington Missouri - Amtrak Funding

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Amtrak Funding

02/13/2004

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It's become an annual ritual in the General Assembly--crisis funding for Amtrak in Missouri. The House Budget Committee the past week narrowly rejected a funding request to continue the twice-daily, cross-state passenger service for the next several months.

Amtrak service costs the state $6.2 million a year in a subsidy. The last two years the state has appropriated just $5 million. Last year, it was agreed that the state would add $800,000 to the appropriation and a deal was made with Amtrak that a $5 surcharge per passenger would be imposed on Missouri trips. Amtrak also made some personnel cuts.

To keep a second train running through June 30, Amtrak says it needs a supplemental appropriation of $884,815. Rejection in the House was a major blow.

A state representative wondered if cities served by Amtrak, such as Washington, Hermann and Jefferson City, for instance, would be willing to kick in some funds so this annual crisis could be avoided. The problem is cities are strapped for funds and only a small percentage of citizens use the service. It would not be a popular subsidy in most towns.

But the service is important to Washington and downtown merchants since many one- and two-day visitors arrive here and depart by Amtrak. The state, strapped as it is, can come up with the needed funds to keep both trains running. It was able to find the money last year.

©Washington Missouri 2009

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Added: Monday February 16, 2004 at 12:22 PM EST

This is a well-stated commentary.
The question a state rep. asked about if the online cities could help fund the train needs to be explored in the broader context.

The Bush Administration's "plan" to save Amtrak involves the same logic: let the states pay for Amtrak service.

However, the policymakers don't apply the same thinking to highway and airport construction. Interstate commerce is a federal responsibility and should be funded by the federal government.

After years, and trillions of dollars later in building highways and airports, along with the many "hidden" subsidies of state trooper support, law enforcement, traffic safety, enviornmental standards, court costs, drivers licensing, the automobile protection act - otherwise called the Persian Gulf War, etc., the federal government wants to destroy Amtrak.

People who travel by train should speak up now. Write your local state representatives and congressional representatives.

Tell them a balanced transportation system is needed. One that includes the rail travel option.

Doug Ohlemeier
Vice President, Missouri-Kansas Rail Passenger Coalition.
Independence, Mo.

Doug Ohlemeier

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