Lawmakers propose permanent funding for Amtrak

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) last week introduced the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which would provide permanent funding for Amtrak.

The bicameral legislation would create a dedicated funding stream to help Amtrak invest in major improvement projects, increase passenger rail's efficiency and provide safer and more reliable service, the lawmakers said in a press release.

Currently, intercity passenger rail relies on often unpredictable and limited annual appropriations process for funding, making it difficult to plan long-term projects needed to improve the system, they said. 

Over the next several months, Congress will consider legislation to reauthorize surface transportation programs, including Amtrak operations.

"Every other critical mode of transportation infrastructure in our country has a dedicated funding stream — except for passenger rail," said Blumenthal. "Thanks to this dedicated funding, Amtrak would be able to continually invest in and improve operations. This action is long overdue and this bill should be immediately advanced to ensure the safety of the traveling public."