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, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]