Rail administrator touts commitment to Amtrak

The future is bright for expanding freight and passenger rail service, according to Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo.

Szabo spoke about the Obama administration’s commitment to keeping Amtrak and long-distance intercity passenger rail vibrant in Whitefish on Saturday at a National Association of Railroad Passengers Northwest Division meeting.

“We have a president who truly gets it,” Szabo said.

It was Szabo’s first trip to Whitefish and his first time riding the Amtrak Empire Builder, a route between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.

“Flying on an airplane or driving on an interstate —  that may be transportation, but riding the rails is how you travel if you really want to see America,” Szabo said.

Szabo, a fifth-generation railroader, began working for freight and passenger service out of high school. As an administrator he is responsible for overseeing railroad safety, regulations, policies and financial assistance programs, including the High Speed Rail program.

With population growth overburdening air and interstate travel, he said the Obama administration realizes the importance of expanding railways to relieve the burden and provide Americans with alternatives.

“No economy can ever grow faster than its transportation network can carry it,” Szabo said.

The administration’s goal to connect 80 percent of Americans to passenger rail networks within the next 25 years is achievable, he said.

Repairs and upgrades have been deferred too long, according to Szabo, which is why the administration has requested $47 billion be used over six years to invest in railway infrastructure.

“You can’t deny that long-distance routes like the Builder are gems. They are also rural America’s connection to each other. They provide mobility to so many Americans that otherwise might be left without transportation options and that’s why congress founded Amtrak in 1971,” Szabo said.

Amtrak’s long-distance ridership increased six percent since last year, Szabo said.

“There are 23 state partners making progress on 154 projects with $10.1 billion in funding,” Szabo said. “The states are delivering projects under budget and ahead of schedule.”

High-speed rail continues to advance in California, the Pacific Northwest and Midwest.

The administration also is hiring a full-time person to monitor the quality and on-time performance of long distance train service, according to Szabo.

“We deserve freedom from fuel costs and the ability for our country to beat its addiction to foreign oil,” Szabo said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.