WHEN IT COMES to Amtrak, the government-owned passenger rail system, the House and Senate have distinctly different visions.
Accepting the suggestion of an advisory panel, House committees lean toward "radical surgery" to get the government out of the passenger rail business. Washington would keep control of Amtrak's rail infrastructure while passenger service would be privatized. The notion of a national passenger rail line would cease to exist.
The Senate vision maintains a passenger line connecting all parts of the country, but it would phase out federal subsidies after 2002. Before then, Amtrak expenditures would be boosted by diverting a half-penny of the federal gasoline tax to upgrade equipment and tracks, especially along the Washington-Boston corridor.
One plan essentially dismantles Amtrak and leaves passenger rail service in chaos. Only the strongest and most popular routes (basically along the East Coast and West Coast) would survive. Most intercity passenger rail service of any duration would cease. Meanwhile, countless billions would still have to be spent by Washington on track improvements.
The other plan at least gives Amtrak "a fighting chance to succeed," as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas put it. Burdensome and costly legal restrictions on the rail line would be removed, federal funds would continue to flow to Amtrak until 2002, giving it time to trim operations and add revenue.
That is the better option. Amtrak needs continuing federal help to make improvements. Freight rail companies detest the passenger-rail business; that's why they pulled out 26 years ago when Amtrak was created. Without some form of federal assistance, rail travel would no longer be a viable alternative to the car, bus or plane.
Officials at the rail agency have impressive plans for narrowing Amtrak's deficit and generating new revenue. It is negotiating with Norfolk Southern, which wants to use the Northeast Corridor for freight trains carrying time-sensitive material. It wants to build mail and express traffic along its routes. It is preparing for high-speed train service between Washington and Boston. And it is restructuring long-distance trains to dramatically cut losses.
Calling for "radical surgery" that would kill the patient isn't the answer. Gradual moves toward a more business-like passenger rail service make more sense in giving Americans what they deserve -- a well-run, cost-efficient national railroad.
Pub Date: 7/21/97
