Testimony
Amtrak's Performance, Budget, and Passenger Rail Service Issues
Testifying on Amtrak issues before the Senate Commerce Committee, the Inspector General said Amtrak would not meet its mandate to achieve operating self-sufficiency by December 2002. The most critical issue confronting Amtrak is not operating assistance, he said, but how much capital investment will be needed to sustain a system of intercity passenger rail service. The IG concluded that the Administration's FY 2003 Amtrak budget request of $521 million is not sufficient to provide the needed capital for the railroad.