WASHINGTON, DC-Following Senate passage of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) released the following statement:
“I am glad that the Senate and the House have come together to pass the first major comprehensive passenger rail bill in more than 10 years that will improve Amtrak’s operations, expand passenger rail service and strengthen rail safety. During a time of high gas prices and increased congestion on Pennsylvania roads, many Pennsylvanians have come to rely on Amtrak—especially along the Keystone line that runs between Harrisburg and Lancaster, and on to Philadelphia and on the Northeast Corridor line.
“Congress can, and should, make every effort to strengthen the investment in passenger rail service. This bill does just that, and I am pleased that the Senate took action on this important legislation.”
Amtrak operates approximately 120 daily trains through Pennsylvania. Ridership in the Northeast Corridor, which connects Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. to the south and New York and Boston to the north, continues to grow at a significant rate. Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is the 3rd busiest station in the Amtrak system. The popular Keystone Service, which operates between Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia and New York City, experienced a 26 percent growth in ridership in July 2008, serving a total of 109,317 passengers.
Senator Casey cosponsored and voted for the Amtrak legislation that would authorize $13 billion in federal funds for Amtrak and rail safety measures. The Senate passed the bill by a margin of 74 to 24. The President will now need to sign this bill in order for it to become law. Although the President has unwisely threatened to veto this bill in the past, Senator Casey is optimistic that the White House will recognize the important role this legislation will play in improving the efficiency and safety of intercity passenger rail.
Last year, Senator Casey appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee to express his strong support for Amtrak funding and his opposition to Bush budget cuts. At the hearing, he also introduced Governor Rendell who also appeared before the Committee.
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“I am glad that the Senate and the House have come together to pass the first major comprehensive passenger rail bill in more than 10 years that will improve Amtrak’s operations, expand passenger rail service and strengthen rail safety. During a time of high gas prices and increased congestion on Pennsylvania roads, many Pennsylvanians have come to rely on Amtrak—especially along the Keystone line that runs between Harrisburg and Lancaster, and on to Philadelphia and on the Northeast Corridor line.
“Congress can, and should, make every effort to strengthen the investment in passenger rail service. This bill does just that, and I am pleased that the Senate took action on this important legislation.”
Amtrak operates approximately 120 daily trains through Pennsylvania. Ridership in the Northeast Corridor, which connects Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. to the south and New York and Boston to the north, continues to grow at a significant rate. Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station is the 3rd busiest station in the Amtrak system. The popular Keystone Service, which operates between Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia and New York City, experienced a 26 percent growth in ridership in July 2008, serving a total of 109,317 passengers.
Senator Casey cosponsored and voted for the Amtrak legislation that would authorize $13 billion in federal funds for Amtrak and rail safety measures. The Senate passed the bill by a margin of 74 to 24. The President will now need to sign this bill in order for it to become law. Although the President has unwisely threatened to veto this bill in the past, Senator Casey is optimistic that the White House will recognize the important role this legislation will play in improving the efficiency and safety of intercity passenger rail.
Last year, Senator Casey appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee to express his strong support for Amtrak funding and his opposition to Bush budget cuts. At the hearing, he also introduced Governor Rendell who also appeared before the Committee.
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