Federal BudgetWill Kill U.S. Train Network (NAPSA)—This summertravel season maybethe last year with train travel as an optionfor millions of Americans. The Administration’s proposed 2018 budget wipes out funding for almost all Amtrak trains except on the East and West coasts. More than 220 cities and towns will lose train service completely and 140 million people will completely lose an entire transportation mode. “If Congress enacts this budget, our national passengerrail networkwill largely cease to exist,” said Jim Mathews, Na- tional Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP)president and CEO. “These cuts will have a profound economic impact bothnationally, regionally and locally.” Althoughthe trains impactedare often called long-distance trains, they are also local and regional transportation for the areas they serve. In Montana and North Dakota, for example, the Amtrak line goes across both states and connects 19 towns andcities. In Florida, 28 com- More than 220 cities and 23 states will lose ALL Amtrak service under the proposed White House budget. Although the White House budgetis regularly ignored by the Congress, it is often seen as an openingbid in thefederal budget negotiation process. This budget slashes infrastructure investment and completely eliminates funding for long-distancerail across the United States. Cuts to Amtrak, transit, and commuter rail programs, and even air service to rural towns, would not only munities are bound together by Amtrak trains thatoffer a real option for family and businesstravelers. cost construction and manufacturing jobs, but will place a disproportionate amount of pain on rural and work- tion of Railroad Passengersis organizing The people who will suffer the most are those whorely on passenger rail to get to their job, for an ADA-compliant modeof travel, and for people in socalled “flyover country,” where other transportation options are limited. ‘Thefull list of towns at-risk of losing Amtrakservice is published at www. This summer, the National Associa- Americans across the countryto partic- ipate in “Rally For Trains” in an effort to demonstrate the significant impact trains have on thelives of Americans. “Rally For Trains’ symbolizes the broad support Americans have for trains and passengerrail? Mathews continued. “We will push back until our collective voiceis heard, and get the funding passenger rail deserves—and America needs?” ing-class communities. TownsWithoutTrains.com, and infor- mation on the rallies being planned continuesto be added.
