Frank Lautenberg: “in recent years, as Amtrak has been required to reduce service and, in some cases, eliminate service to several States…”

“in recent years, as Amtrak has been required to reduce service and, in some cases, eliminate service to several States, I have noticed that some of the loudest complaints have come from some of our States in the West and in the Midwest. I appreciate the fact the Senator from North Dakota had comments to make in favor of Amtrak service. A lot of people are complaining that we have reduced or eliminated Amtrak service. Well, they just don't have the income, and when you think of what it takes to put this system in shape, it is de minimis compared to the service that is being offered. We can dress it up in various terms: high-income people ride the train. See what it looks like and see people getting on there with tattered luggage and not able to figure out another way to get there. It is easy to stand on a high horse and criticize those who ride Amtrak. Try it; you may like it. The fact of the matter is, while Amtrak's funding levels, as contained in this bill, are higher than the House-passed level, they still remain far lower than the level requested by the administration.”