Washington, D.C. - Rep. Rick Larsen and the U.S. House Railroads Subcommittee will hold an oversight hearing next week to look into the Amtrak restructuring plan submitted today by the Amtrak Reform Council.

“Passenger rail must be part of the broader solution to fixing the parking lot we call I-5,” Larsen said.  “Rail is an important transportation choice that helps to reduce congestion in the Northwest.” 

Amtrak ridership on Northwest routes continues to increase.  According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, Amtrak Cascades ridership grew to just over 530,000 trips, diverting more than 40 million vehicle miles of traffic from congested regional highways.  This was a 17 percent increase in ridership from 1999, with 452,000 riders.

The Amtrak Reform Council released today a critical report of Amtrak operations, recommending that Amtrak operate under a new business model.

Larsen commented, “The Council raises some important questions about whether Congress is going to assist rail the way it assists roads and airports.”

That and other issues will be addressed in the Congressional hearing next week, February 14th at 2:00 p.m.