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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2008
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Contact: Zach Goldberg
202-225-5801 (office) |
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HOLT URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO SIGN AMTRAK REINVESTMENT BILL
Bill Includes Holt Provision to Improve Service at Princeton Junction Station
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(Washington, D.C.) – Representative Rush Holt (NJ-12) today urged President Bush to sign the “Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act” – legislation that Congress passed to increase funding for Amtrak to $13 billion over the next five years to cover operating costs, repairs and reforms. It would also support the construction of a high-speed rail line between Washington and New York and require the government and Amtrak jointly to develop minimum standards for measuring the performance of inter-city passenger trains. It would be the first reauthorization of Amtrak in over a decade.
In the last six years, Amtrak has been operating without Congressional authorization. Holt noted that in order to keep from going out of business, Amtrak was forced to delay necessary repairs and security improvements, freeze the salaries of its employees, and withhold on employee pensions.
“Rail service is the lifeline of New Jersey’s state economy. This is a long over due reinvestment in a vital night for state employers and employees,” Holt said. “The continued operation of Amtrak is an essential component of easing traffic congestion, reducing wear and tear on roads, protecting our environment and preserving open space in New Jersey and across the country.”
The legislation also includes Holt’s amendment to require Amtrak to evaluate passenger rail service between Princeton Junction, NJ, and Philadelphia. While New Jersey Transit has experienced record ridership in recent years, since 2004 Amtrak ridership at Princeton Junction station has decreased by 90 percent because of cuts to service and an increase in prices. The study would determine the feasibility and effectiveness of increasing services or reducing commuter ticket prices.
“Princeton Junction once was a thriving hub for daily commuting to Philadelphia. However severe cuts in service by Amtrak has caused traveling to Philadelphia to be extremely time consuming and expensive, forcing many commuters to drive to Trenton or to Philadelphia, further crowding New Jersey’s congested roadways,” Holt said. “We should make the best use of public transit, especially rail.”
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