{"bills":[{"photos":{"featured":"https://assets.countable.us/bill/photo/hr749-114/featured_passenger-rail-reform-and-investment-act-of-2015-1454547415.jpg","featured_large":"https://assets.countable.us/bill/photo/hr749-114/featured_large_passenger-rail-reform-and-investment-act-of-2015-1454547415.jpg","shareable":"https://n.countable.us/share-images/bills/hr749-114.png"},"introduced_on":"2015-02-05","title_override":"Should Amtrak Run More Like A Private-Sector Business?","summary_override":"

This bill would authorize appropriations over the 2016-2019 fiscal years for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). This funding would be allocated towards infrastructure improvements (based on the anticipated costs and benefits of the project.)

Amtrak would be required to put forward a plan to eliminate its operating loss in food and beverage services within five years. Prior to any major procurement, Amtrak would be required to carry out a business case analysis to assess its necessity and potential for improving efficiency.

A Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund would be established to fund capital improvement projects in the northeastern U.S., and a separate account will be established for the national Amtrak network. Federal-state partnerships would be created for the purpose of improving Amtrak facilities in the Northeast Corridor, and specified proportions of grant funds would be focused on projects in that region.

Proposals from public and private entities to develop Amtrak stations, in addition to utilizing Amtrak’s telecommunications systems or energy distribution systems would be disclosed to the relevant congressional committees within 18 months of this legislation’s enactment.

","official_title":"To reauthorize Federal support for passenger rail programs, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015\n\nTITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS (Sec. 101) Authorizes appropriations for FY2016-FY2019 to the Secretary of Transportation for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for:\n\n the Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account, the National Network account, the Office of the Inspector General, and national infrastructure investment capital grants. TITLE II--AMTRAK REFORM\n\n(Sec. 201) Directs Amtrak to establish internal controls to ensure its costs and revenues are allocated to either the Northeast Corridor or the National Network.\n\nDirects the Secretary to establish substantive and procedural requirements for Northeast Corridor and National Network investment capital grant requests.\n\nDirects Amtrak to establish:\n\n a Northeast Corridor Improvement Fund account for Northeast Corridor capital improvement projects, and a National Network account for capital expenses and operating costs of the National Network. Requires Amtrak...","summarized":true,"cost":5810000000,"cost_commentary":"A CBO cost estimate is unavailable. Authorized appropriations for this bill are as follows: $1,412,000,000 for the 2016 fiscal year; $1,438,000,000 for the 2017 fiscal year; $1,465,000,000 for the 2018 fiscal year; $1,495,000,000 for the 2019 fiscal year; The total appropriations over the 2016-2019 amount to $5.810 billion, though there will also be an additional $300 million per year set aside for infrastructure investments — half of which would be focused on the Northeast Corridor. The Amtrak Inspector General’s Office would receive an additional $23 million in 2016, $24 million in 2016 and 2017, plus $25 million in 2019. It should be noted that the actual spending required to implement this legislation may vary from the appropriated amount. ","impact":"Amtrak passengers and employees, Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas, entities wishing to utilize some of Amtrak’s capabilities, state governments, relevant congressional committees, the Secretary of Transportation. ","argument_for":"Requiring Amtrak to operate more efficiently will provide passengers with better service, and save taxpayers money. ","argument_against":"This bill should outline quantifiable measures for cost savings, efficiency, and productivity so that Amtrak can have solid goals when pursuing internal reforms. 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If it didn't get funding, I think the railroad as human transportation will go the way of the dinosaur.","show_argument_for":false,"show_argument_against":true,"upvote_count":0,"upvotes_for_count":null,"upvotes_against_count":0,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":0,"links":{"self":"https://www.countable.us/positions/e4b3d8e6-d50c-4f1e-8147-61dbe2059449"},"body":"I don't think it can. If it didn't get funding, I think the railroad as human transportation will go the way of the dinosaur.","stance":"nay","created_at":"2015-05-27T02:23:08.934Z","shareable_image_url":"https://n.countable.us/share-images/positions/e4b3d8e6-d50c-4f1e-8147-61dbe2059449.png","note_color":null,"note_text":null,"bill_id":"hr749-114","user_id":"7905d2WE","endorser_ids":[]}}

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Should Amtrak Run More Like A Private-Sector Business?