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Last week, a House appropriations subcommittee approved $900 million for Amtrak in fiscal-year 2007 — well below the national intercity passenger railroad’s $1.6 billion request and FY2006’s $1.3 billion appropriation.

In addition, the Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development, The Judiciary, District of Columbia did not approve Amtrak board chair David Laney’s request for $275 million in optional funding to cover a series of strategic investments. The railroad planned to use the funds to reduce congestion, improve non-Amtrak owned rail, assist state corridor development and refinance some debt.

Amtrak officials claim the railroad needs $495 million next year to support operations and $295 million for debt service, as well as capital funds to overhaul rolling stock, improve infrastructure and replace the span on the Thames River Bridge.