WASHINGTON –A bipartisan amendment to provide an additional $50 million in federal funding to help maintain Amtrak train services along the long-distance passenger rail route of the Southwest Chief passed the Senate today by a unanimous vote.
This amendment could effectively halt Amtrak’s proposal to substitute rail service with bus service over large segments of the route through the fiscal year of 2019. The amendment was sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kansas)and Sen. Tom Udall (D-Utah) and cosponsored by Heinrich and U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Michael F. Bennet (D-Colo.), all senators who represent states through which the Southwest Chief route runs.
“The Southwest Chief is critical to many Kansans’ livelihood – ending this route would be a disservice to the many Kansans who rely on this route every day,” said Moran. “I applaud the bipartisan efforts to keep the Southwest Chief operational for our rural communities and will continue working with Amtrak to make certain this route remains available for the Kansans who need it.”
Moran and Udall's amendment was included in the 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill that passed on a 92 to 6 vote. This amendment would provide resources for maintenance and safety improvements along the Southwest Chief route and would compel Amtrak to fulfill its promise of matching funding for the successful TIGER IX discretionary grant supported by local communities in New Mexico along the route. Today’s amendment builds upon last week’s Senate passage of Udall and Heinrich’s bipartisan amendment emphasizing Congress’s strong support for Amtrak long-distance routes, which was adopted by a vote of 95 to 4.
“For the second time in two weeks, the Senate is speaking out with strong, bipartisan support for long-distance rail, especially the Southwest Chief — and this time with $50 million in new funding,” Udall said. “Replacing rail service with bus service between Dodge City, Kansas and Albuquerque, New Mexico would not only have completely disrupted service for Amtrak passengers, it would have discouraged riders from taking the Southwest Chief in the first place, adding to Amtrak’s financial problems. The Southwest Chief route is an economic engine in New Mexico, giving passengers a ride through time -- through the historic West -- and connecting our communities. The additional funding from our amendment will make sure the Southwest Chief gets back on a sound financial track. I remain committed to working with our communities, Amtrak leadership, and other stakeholders to keep the Chief running long into the future.”
Amtrak floated a the plan to use buses on the route during a meeting with senators called for when Amtrak announced it would not contribute a promised $3 million to a TIGER grant to renovate rail lines in New Mexico. Two previous grants had renovated lines in Kansas and Colorado.
“I am pleased the Senate has approved our amendment to ensure continuous rail service on all long distance routes, especially the Southwest Chief,” add Roberts. “We heard from many Kansans strongly opposed to the proposed bus service within the route.”
The Southwest Chief runs daily between Chicago and Los Angeles and connects towns and cities in New Mexico, Kansas, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Arizona and California and provides passenger train and long-distance passenger service, particularly through rural communities. The Southwest Chief runs through several New Mexico communities, including Raton, Las Vegas, Lamy, Albuquerque, and Gallup.
Last week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a Sense of the Congress measure to affirm support for the long-distance rail service and to oppose Amtrak’s plan to substitute bus service in certain segments.
Last month, the senators sent a letter to Amtrak’s CEO urging him to uphold Amtrak’s side of a longstanding public-private partnership to continue operating the Southwest Chief passenger train and long-distance passenger service.