Amtrak Response to ARC Finding

WASHINGTON -- The following is being issued by Amtrak:

The decision of the Amtrak Reform Council (ARC) is the wrong decision at the wrong time. The Council is charged under the law to account for, "acts of God, national emergencies, and other events beyond the reasonable control of Amtrak." Despite the current National Emergency declared by President Bush, and the heightened public service role that Amtrak has assumed since September 11, there is no evidence that the ARC adequately considered this factor.

In addition, the Council also must take into account whether Amtrak has received adequate capital funding based on the DOT Inspector General's 1998 assessment. Amtrak's capital funding has fallen hundreds of millions of dollars short of this assessment. There is no indication that the ARC adequately considered this capital shortfall.

The practical effect of the ARC's decision is to limit Congress' role in making critical policy choices about the future of passenger rail. Amtrak intends to work at the earliest opportunity with Congress and the Administration to address the ARC's decision and to fashion an appropriate policy for the nation's passenger rail system.

In the meantime, Amtrak intends to continue serving its customers.