Congress’ recent increased funding for Amtrak, passenger rail, and transit in the $1.3 billion fiscal year 2018 budget is a victory for the industry, the Rail Passengers Association said.
The budget includes $593 million for Consolidated Rail Improvement, $20 million for the Rail Restoration program and $2.813 billion for intercity rail. That amount is $1.3 billion higher than fiscal year 2017’s budget. Amtrak receives $1.9 billion, including $650 million for the Northeast Corridor and $1.3 billion for the National Network.
Transit also receives $10.3 billion for transit formula grants.
“It was no easy feat, but it looks like that hard work is about to pay off,” Jim Mathews, Rail Passengers president, said. “Congress has shown real leadership, and now it’s up to Amtrak and the states to take this funding and go to work immediately. That means purchasing new equipment for the National Network, addressing state of good repair, and addressing the critical chokepoints facing the Northeast Corridor and corridors across the U.S.”
President Donald Trump said Friday he may veto the bill because it doesn’t include full funding for the Mexican border wall and doesn’t include a solution for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The spending was signed by the president, however, later in the day.