Amtrak funding drastically cut

President Obama last week signed the

2012 appropriations bill that includes Amtrak funding.

The bill includes $1.6 billion for

Federal Railroad Administration programs. Amtrak will receive $1.4

billion. This is $64 billion less than in fiscal year 2011.

Congress last week ratified the

Appropriations Bill setting 2012 funding levels for several

government agencies including the departments of Transportation,

Agriculture, Justice, Housing and Urban Development.

A congressional budget deal eliminated

funding for high-speed rail as part of the deal.

Of the $1.4 billion Amtrak will

receive, $681 million is targeted for capital improvements. The

deal requires Amtrak to impose overtime limits on employees and

doesn’t allow it to offer discounts over 50 percent from normal

peak fares.