MHSRA: Direct Link Between Amtrak Crash and Funding Issues

Statement of Richard Harnish, executive director of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association (MHSRA), in response to Speaker Boehner’s interjection “Are you really going to ask such a stupid question?” when a reporter began asking him about the lack of funding for Amtrak. The Speaker has claimed that there is no link between the recent Amtrak crash in Philadelphia and the lack of funding for the service.

"There is a direct link between Tuesday’s tragic Amtrak crash in Philadelphia and the lack of funding for Amtrak."

"Congress has failed to fund modern safety systems like Positive Train Control (PTC).  In Philadelphia, PTC would have automatically slowed the train when it went above the speed limit, preventing the crash."

"Congress has failed to fund track improvements to make our railroads faster and safer.  There should not be 50 mph curves on the Northeast Corridor."

"Congress has failed to fund the separation of level highway crossings, a major safety concern throughout the country."

"Despite the Speaker’s claims, adequate funding has not been there.  He can only claim that rail safety funds have not been cut, because there were no funds to cut."

"While it is true that the House recently passed an Amtrak reauthorization, the proposed funding levels are an embarrassment, a total budget of only $1.2 billion per year."

"Train travel remains one of the safest forms of transportation and ridership continues to grow.  It is time for Congress to make the system work."