Amtrak turns 42, calls for federal funding

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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On May 1, 1971, Amtrak began operations as an intercity passenger rail service provider, marking today, May 1, 2013, as its 42nd anniversary. As Amtrak celebrates this milestone, it is seeking a multi-year federal investment.

Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman stated, “Amtrak has been underfunded and has too many conflicting missions with only year-to-year funding to plan, build and maintain safe infrastructure and provide national surface transportation mobility and connectivity.

“It is time for dedicated, multi-year federal operating and capital funding for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail. Our customers and our nation have waited for 42 years too long already.”

Boardman said that if Congress provides the needed levels of federal funding support, Amtrak and its state partners can better deliver a future of improved reliability, enhanced capacity, more service, increased speeds and reduced trip times on the Northeast Corridor and other passenger rail corridors around the country, including the development of new ones.

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