Donald Payne Jr.: “I too am a pilot. I flew in the Army. A much simpler airframe, never a commercial aircraft.”

This is a crucial hearing because many of my constituents and all New Jerseyans understand that Amtrak service is critical to our economy and to our livelihood.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Surface Transportation Board's (STB or Board) efforts over the past year.

Amtrak must work to attract customers and revenue and operate as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

That is why I introduced the One-Seat-Ride Act, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of a one-seat-ride trip versus a transfer trip option during peak hours on New Jersey Transit's Raritan Valley…