Amtrak Funding Crisis Articles

MOKSRail and rail advocates across the country believe long-distance trains are NOT lightly used & can positively contribute to this country's transportation system, if properly funded & operated.

Don't listen to the nagging right-wing think-tanks that believe Amtrak, which consumes all of 2% of the U.S. DOT's budget, is the source of all evil in the world. Groups such as the Heritage Foundation, The CATO Institute, Senator John McCain and Congressman Ernest Ishtook often lie and distort facts, claiming long-distance trains run empty.

Articles on the continuing Amtrak funding crisis, which began during the spring and summer of 2002 and continues to today.

LEGISLATIVE & FUNDING UPDATES
National Association of Railroad Passengers Hotline.	Visit them for the latest legislative updates,
	Please consider joining NARP so your voice can be heard in Washington DC.
Fact-check on the Bush Administration's plan to derail Amtrak.

	An informative site with timely updates on the Amtrak funding situation

http://www.AmtrakCrisis.com	Comprehensive coverage of the funding crisis
Why was Amtrak created? (from Friends of Amtrak)
Friends of Amtrak - volunteer effort full of legislative updates & other timely information



BUSH AMTRAK BANKRUPTCY PLAN
Amtrak "reform plan" would destroy interstate passenger train service

Statement on Bush plan from Midwest High Speed Rail Coalition corridor group.

Bush Administration tries to Railroad Amtrak passengers!	Railroading the public: cronyism at work in Bush plan, according to grassroots lobbying group, Public Citizen.
Bush Amtrak "reform" plan called a recipe for disaster


you can write to your elected officials urging them to reject flawed Bush Amtrak "plan"

Bush "plan" would destroy Amtrak! The president flunks Transportation 101.	Analysis of the flawed Bush plan that views Amtrak funding as evil but wholeheartedly embraces federal funding of airports and highways.
Bush Administration official exposed as anti-transportation DOT secretary
Conservative think-tank uses profanity in arguing against Amtrak


Amtrak may be forced to shut-down its entire system due to Congress' inability to properly fund passenger rail transportation




RESPONSES TO BUSH ANTI-AMTRAK PLAN
Long-distance v. corridor trains: myths and realities (URPA)

Analysis indicates long-distance trains, not short-distance, are Amtrak's moneymakers

Long-distance trains: a strong foundation for future growth (Midwest High Speed Rail Coalition).

Long-distance trains are important. Critics use false figures
Money-losing passenger trains???

Open letter to journalists covering Amtrak issues (from National Corridors) (link restored)

Amtrak Reform Council: The Myth of Passenger Train Profitability

MOKSRail NEWS RELEASE: Bush Amtrak "reform" plan destroys Amtrak and jeopardizes transportation options

As I See It (newspaper column): Don't derail Amtrak (Ohlemeier column)


*MEDIA COVERAGE OF AMTRAK FUNDING:*
Open letter to Rush Limbaugh: You are wrong about Amtrak	In a day when any loudmouth can get on the radio and spout-off about something he knows little about, it's time the record be set straight about Amtrak. Dittos for think-tank eggheads and consultants R
The railroading of Amtrak	Trains, planes and automobiles held to different standards



*HOW YOU CAN HELP*
Missouri/Kansas congressional contacts	Write to your elected officials urging them to reject flawed Bush Amtrak "plan"


Save the Train posters	Flyers you can post at your Amtrak stations to get passengers to write their elected representatives.
How You Can Help Save America's Passenger Trains

Write your elected officials.
Tell them to properly fund passenger rail transportation.

The MOKSRail Web site is devoted to keeping the
federal government from destroying America's passenger train system.

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LEGISLATIVE & FUNDING UPDATES

BUSH AMTRAK BANKRUPTCY PLAN

RESPONSES TO BUSH ANTI-AMTRAK PLAN