Amtrak Again
Avoids Fiscal Derailment,
But What’s Next?

The on-again, off-again saga surrounding Amtrak funding took a turn for the better with $1.05 billion approved in the 2003 budget in late February to fund the system for the remainder of the fiscal year. But the national passenger train system—itself often resembling a damsel tied to the tracks while a train quickly approaches—will be bogged down with a list of conditions and administrative hurdles to obtaining the money. And because this year’s budget passed four months late, the next annual spending battle is only a few short months away.

Although the $1.05 billion budget was 10 percent less than Amtrak requested, it is far more than either President Bush or congressional Republicans originally proposed. The funding will allow the system to resume long-deferred maintenance on cars. But now Amtrak must apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation. The change, which will create a layer of bureaucracy, was intended as an extra measure of control for the Bush administration.

"If Amtrak wants to do something and the administration doesn’t want it done, they won’t release the funds," said IBEW Railroad Department International Representative Bill Bohne’. "That’s what we’re fearful of."

Of the 25,000 workers employed by Amtrak, some 1,300 are IBEW members.

IBEWCURRENTS

May 2003 IBEW Journal