10/02/01 Amtrak
May 2, 2006
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AMTRAK IN CRISIS Thursday, June 20, 2002 — The Bush Administration pushed Amtrak one step closer to the brink today when Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta publicly called for its dismantlement. Even more seriously, the Administration refused to say whether it will sign on to a loan guarantee to ensure Amtrak’s immediate survival. This crisis is real! Amtrak is about to run out of money. It has been seeking a credit line of $270 million from private lenders. The lenders have refused, citing a lack of collateral. They are demanding a federal loan guarantee. So far, the Bush Administration has refused to sign on to such a guarantee. If Amtrak does not get the loan by the end of next week, it may be forced to declare bankruptcy. Act now! Call the White House at 202-456-1414, and ask that the Administration give Amtrak a federal loan guarantee so that it can continue to operate while Congress debates its future. Also, click here to send an e-mail and letter to your Congressperson and two Senators. |
| June 6th, 2002
WE MUST ACT NOW TO SAVE AMTRAK |
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We need to act now to secure the necessary loan guarantees and to prevent an immediate discontinuance or break up of Amtrak. We must call, write and email the contacts listed below and urge them to do the following:
It is our view that the system rises and falls as a system and we would oppose any efforts to break up Amtrak. The break up of Amtrak would cost American taxpayers a significant amount of money and result in loss of service to many communities. At a time when more and more communities are looking to rail passenger service as a way to increase mobility choices, create economic development and reduce congestion, we should instead be looking for ways to establish a dedicated source of capital funding. The separation of infrastructure and operations has proven disastrous in Great Britain.
Summary Statement
It is critical for the Administration and Congress to support a national system without any break up over the next year or two–even though consideration for the future of Amtrak could occur during that time–in order to secure the necessary financial support and credibility in the marketplace for the company. |
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