I am proud of the way the National Association of Rail Passengers is speaking
out at this time about our nation's need for a tranportation system that
includes rail. NARP is not afraid of being viewed as controversial at this
time of crisis. They are speaking out of conscience as to what they believe
is right for our national security, for our transportation safety, and for
our economic sustainability. Not mentioned here are the great benefits to the
environment from rail transport, relative to air and highway modes.

The High Speed Rail Investment Act (S 250, HR 2329) will bring passenger rail
service to Des Moines, Iowa City and other Iowa towns for the first time
since the early 1970s.

Tom

Subj:    What Amtrak and Senators Have Done; What You Can Do
Date:   01-09-20 17:13:40 EDT
From:   [log in to unmask] (NARP)
Reply-to:   [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask] (NARP)

To:     NARP Members
From:   Ross B. Capon, NARP Executive Director
Date:   September 20, 2001

I. What Amtrak Has Done

The Amtrak ridership figures in my message yesterday -- from published
news reports -- were not correct. Amtrak says, during September 12-17:

* Nationwide ridership grew about 17%, not including all the airline
tickets Amtrak honored.
* Ridership on long-distance trains grew about 35%.
* Northeast Corridor ridership grew an estimated 9% "despite the
near-shutdown of businesses and schools throughout the Northeast and the
Jewish holiday."

Amtrak says it added:

* 1,600 daily seats to long-distance trains;
* 300 daily seats to West Coast trains;
* 2,000 daily seats to unreserved Northeast Corridor trains.

Amtrak says that through September 18 it had transported "237 extra
carloads of mail" above normal levels. "Amtrak provided transportation
to New York City for families and friends of victims, firefighters,
police, medical teams, military and other public officials, airline crew
members, and even sports teams. In partnership with the American Red
Cross, Amtrak transported thousands of emergency relief kits to New York
City."

II. What Senators Have Done

Yesterday, 16 senators wrote to Secretary Mineta indicating that they
have asked Amtrak "to provide us with a plan to accelerate investments
in safety, security, and capacity throughout its passenger rail system.
We plan to work with you, and Congressional leaders, to ensure that
these emergency funds are approved and provided as expeditiously as
possible." The letter praised the Department of Transportation's "swift
and confident response" to the tragedy, and noted: "For the past week,
Amtrak has proven what we have long believed: that it is an essential
component of our national transportation system."

The lead signers were Sens. Hutchison (R-TX) and Commerce Chairman
Hollings (D-SC). Both senators from five states signed: Delaware (Biden
& Carper), Maryland (Mikulski and Sarbanes), Massachusetts (Kennedy and
Kerry), New Jersey (Corzine and Torricelli), New York (Clinton and
Schumer). Other signers: Chafee (R-RI), Environment & Public Works
Chairman Jeffords (I-VT), Reid (D-NV) and Specter (R-PA). They deserve
thanks!

Sen. Kerry was heard on the radio today saying that he would not support
any separate bailout for the airlines without including Amtrak. He also
talked about need for a balanced transportation system.

If you have not yet contacted your legislators, please emphasize the
need for Amtrak action this year, i.e., before Congress adjourns for the
holidays -- adjournment could come as early as mid-October. Several
bills (read opportunities) are likely, of which the airline bill is just
the first. For Congress to tell America two years in a row, "wait until
next year," is not acceptable.

III. Possible Message to Legislators (Grab your favorite thoughts or
phrases, but use your own words as much as possible)

Dear Senator ____ (or Representative ____):

Since the tragedy of September 11, Amtrak ridership has risen sharply.
During September 12-17, Amtrak saw a roughly 17% increase in daily
ridership, not including all the airline tickets it honored; 9% in the
Northeast Corridor despite school and business shutdowns and the Jewish
holiday; 35% on long-distance trains.

The tragedy underlines how much stronger and more resilient the U.S.
economy and transportation system would be if we had a world-class
passenger rail system to match -- and complement -- our impressive
highway and aviation networks.

Before adjourning, Congress MUST provide Amtrak with additional
resources to help meet the heightened demands placed on it.

We are glad that 16 senators asked Amtrak to develop a plan to speed up
investments in safety, security and capacity. If Amtrak could
immediately repair out-of-service equipment, capacity could increase
quickly. I also favor buying new equipment for both long- and
short-distance services. And there are "life safety" issues such as the
New York tunnels which should be addressed more quickly than current
funding allows. Please work for enactment of the funds that will let
such work go forward.

It also is high time to pass the High Speed Rail Investment Act (S.250,
H.R.2329). This would give states the money they need to begin work on
projects that will improve service in travel corridors US DOT already
has identified as high priority. The present speed limits on most of
these lines are a national disgrace. Perhaps the high speed rail bill
could be part of the stimulus package now under discussion.

People want and need meaningful travel choices -- including modern train
service. Please provide them.

Sincerely,

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