The White House released this week its budget proposal for fiscal year 2020, significantly cutting rail and transit programs by $5.9 billion, a 21.5 percent decrease from fiscal year 2019.
Amtrak and intercity rail programs would be cut $455.6 million, a 23 percent decrease from 2019. This would eliminate long-distance routes and replace corridor train service with subsidized bus service.
New Starts Capital Investment Grants program would be cut $1 billion, a 39 percent decrease from 2019. The program awards grants to rail transit systems.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has already said it will not fund the Hudson River rail tunnels project.
The Rail Passengers Association is launching a response campaign.
“This is a disappointing considering the bipartisan agreement to increase funding in transportation struck by Congress a few short weeks ago, and fails to live up to the many promises that President Trump has made to revitalize and modernize America’s rail infrastructure,” Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews said. “Fortunately, we’ve seen Congress ignore these misguided White House proposals for rail and transit for the past two years, and we will continue to advocate for real solutions to building a better national rail network.”
The full budget will be available Monday.