Senator, Congressman introduce bills to create dedicated funding source for Amtrak
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumental (D-Conn.) and U.S. Rep Danny Davis (D-Ill.) have introduced legislation to provide permanent, dedicated funding for Amtrak. The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act would create a fund providing approximately $5.4 billion annually for repairs, service improvements, fleet modernization and other needs. The bill specifies 40% of the funds would go to the Northeast Corridor and 60% to the national network, and could be used for both capital and operating expenses. “This bill envisions the long-term, steady funding commitment to our nation’s intercity passenger rail system necessary to ensure it is safe and reliable for passengers today and long into the future,” Blumenthal said in a press release, which also notes intercity passenger rail is the only major form of transportation without a dedicated funding stream. Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn called the legislation “a game changer for America and for Amtrak,” saying it would “would help us increase efficiency and improve planning, helping us advance major bridge and tunnel projects and provide energy efficient transportation to more customers, including underserved communities across the nation.” The full text of the Senate version of the bill is available here, with a summary here. Corresponding legislation was introduced in the House.
At least 32 killed as trains collide in Egypt
At least 32 people have been killed and 90 injured in a collision of two passenger trains today in Egypt. The New York Times reports the Egyptian Naitonal Railways Authority said “unknown actors” had engaged the brakes on one train and another train crashed into it from behind, causing two passenger cars to overturn. The accident occurred near the city of Sohag, about 240 miles south of Cairo on the Nile River.
TransLink board approves fare increase
Vancouver, British Columbia, agency TransLink will increase fares an average of 2.3% as of July 1, following approval of the fare hike by the TransLink board of directors on Thursday. The CBC reports the agency had original planned a 4.6% increase in 2020 and 4.1% increase in 2021. It cancelled last year’s request because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced this year’s as a condition of emergency funding from the federal and provincial governments received last year.
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