A Declaration by the Amtrak Reform Council

Preamble

Whereas, the Amtrak Reform Council is charged with oversight of Amtrak's performance under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act, and

Whereas, the Council has reached a judgment regarding Amtrak's performance, and

Whereas, the Council believes that passenger rail can and should have a bright future in America, and

Whereas the Congress has declared that a national system of intercity rail passenger service is essential to the overall transportation needs of America, and

Whereas there are a variety of ways to realize this end, and

Whereas the Council has studied Amtrak's institutional structure and performance and has concluded that Amtrak, as it is currently structured, funded, and operated, is not capable of delivering the improvements in passenger rail service that are needed, and

Whereas the Council will provide recommendations for reform that can be implemented by a transition that minimizes interruption of service and impact on the employees, and

Whereas there is indisputable evidence that throughout the years since enactment of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act, Amtrak has not made any significant progress toward operational self-sufficiency ?

Resolution

The Amtrak Reform Council on this 9th day of November 2001, resolves that -

1. Pursuant to Section 204 of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-134) (ARAA), the Amtrak Reform Council, after taking into account and giving due and careful consideration to all the relevant factors set forth in that section, formally finds that Amtrak's business performance will prevent it from meeting the financial goals set forth in 49 U.S.C. 24101(d).

2. Pursuant to Section 204 of the ARAA, the Amtrak Reform Council, after taking into account and giving due and careful consideration to all the relevant factors set forth in that section, formally finds that Amtrak will require operating grant funds after December 2, 2002.

3. Pursuant to Section 204(a) of the ARAA, the Council shall immediately notify the President, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the United States Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives of the above findings.

4. Pursuant to Section 204 (c) of the ARAA, the Council shall develop and submit to the Congress an action plan for a restructured and rationalized national intercity rail passenger system within 90 days of the above findings.