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U.S. Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and 19 other senators have sent a letter to Senate Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development leaders calling for $2.2 billion for Amtrak’s intercity passenger-rail service in fiscal-year 2012.

In the letter, the text of which was released by Webb’s office, the senators request full funding of Amtrak’s FY2012 budget request. The funding level is necessary because of Amtrak’s growing ridership and its impact on reducing traffic congestion and spurring economic growth, the senators wrote. The subcommittee is in the process of considering the FY2012 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

“While we are cognizant of this difficult budgetary climate, it is essential to fully support Amtrak’s service to improve our intercity passenger-rail system and connect our economic centers,” the senators wrote, noting that Amtrak’s ridership rose 37 percent since 2000, reached a record high of 28.7 million riders in 2010 and is on pace to break that record in 2011.

 “Under the bipartisan Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), Congress established many deadlines for Amtrak to control costs, assess its future financial needs and return the Northeast Corridor to a state of good repair,” the letter states. “Amtrak has consistently met PRIIA deadlines. Reduced funding for Amtrak operating expenses or capital expenses would harm its ability to satisfy PRIIA requirements and address critical national needs.”