WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement today after House Transportation Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) announced that he will no longer pursue a plan to privatize Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) train line:

“Millions of Amtrak riders join me in expressing relief that this bad idea is no longer on the table.  There was no way I was going to allow this proposal to move through the Commerce Committee so I am relieved it’s been pulled.  Congress should find ways to bolster our national passenger rail system, not auction it off to the private sector.  Amtrak is a lifeline for the Nation’s communities, and Mr. Mica’s proposal to sell it off in pieces to the highest private bidder would have put this national asset in jeopardy.  Amtrak is thriving, and my hope is that we can work together to do what is best for Amtrak and the passengers that rely on intercity passenger rail.” 

Background:

In fiscal year 2010, Amtrak achieved record ridership, carrying more than 30 million passengers and generating $1.9 billion in ticket revenues.  Amtrak’s efforts to focus on improvements to the NEC and to leverage private funds to build high-speed rail in the NEC can be further bolstered by proposals moving through the Commerce Committee, including Chairman Rockefeller’s American Infrastructure Investment Fund.  

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