John Robert Smith is familiar face in transportation reform circles. The former Republican mayor of the town of Meridian, Mississippi, he now leads two of the most significant advocacy organizations in the field, Transportation for America and Reconnecting America. He also happens to be a former chair of Amtrak’s board of directors. All of those
The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a $54 billion fiscal 2014 Transportation-HUD spending bill, setting up a fight with the House over the budget. The difference between the measures’ spending levels is about $10 billion. Differences include money for infrastructure projects, known as TIGER grants. The Senate would increase funding for the grants by $50
The recent 2014 budget approved by the House subcommittee on Appropriations, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development would put an end to Amtrak. The measure would provide $7.7 billion, or about 15 percent, less than the fiscal 2013 level. It would provide $13.9 billion less than the president’s request. The Federal Railroad Administration would be cut
The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) appealed directly to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Bill Shuster (R-PA) for increased support of Amtrak’s long-distance trains. In a letter to Shuster, NARP urged the congressman to look for a “fresh approach” that would encourage expanded rather than reduced capacity on Amtrak’s “popular, heavily used long-distance trains.”
Amtrak’s profitable Northeast Corridor is where Pennsylvania Republican Bill Shuster wants the priority for federal investment in passenger rail — even if that may mean cuts to money-losing long-distance trains. TCU maintains that full funding is required for long-distance service as well. “This is the jewel in Amtrak’s crown,” Shuster said, referring to the Northeast Corridor
IAM has sent a letter to Congress urging them to confirm the appointments to the NLRB, “On behalf of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, we respectfully urge you to sign on to the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) to Senator Mitch
Edward Wytkind, President of the Transportation Trades department (TTD – AFL-CIO) of which TCU is a member, testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I). The subject of the April 24th panel was “Overview of the United States Freight Transportation System.” President Wytkind stated, “Without transportation workers, goods would travel only as far as
A healthy vibrant freight rail industry is the backbone of the U.S. economy, supporting thousands of vital TCU/IAM jobs and investing record amounts of private capital needed to sustain and grow the nation’s rail system. The 112th Congress rejected proposals by the Trucking Industry to increase truck size and weight allowances. Alternatively, the 2013 Transportation Bill
As Congress prepares to deliberate this year over the rewrite of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA), we have the opportunity to make things right and finally match our pursuit of a modern economy with a modern transportation system. With 31 million riders and growing popularity, Amtrak had its best year ever in
Amtrak lost $361 million in 2012, the lowest loss in 38 years. In statements by Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman that is good news that will help him make his case to Congress for a boost in capital investment. “We think the numbers are right. Now it’s time to start talking about what policies
