Trent Lott: “The amendment would modify the bill's competition pilot program to allow an unlimited number of existing Amtrak routes…”

“The amendment would modify the bill's competition pilot program to allow an unlimited number of existing Amtrak routes to be open to competition from freight rails that seek to operate passenger trains in exchange for Amtrak's current subsidy. We have worked on this issue before. Senator Sununu had this amendment the last time this bill came up. We worked out a compromise that is in the bill which is to have a pilot program. Philosophically, I am attracted to this amendment. I do think we ought to have competition. I think it makes sense maybe for the freight lines to provide this passenger service. But this is a major change in what is currently done.”