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105332 1 (1978-03-10)

handle is hein.gao/gaobadxyi0001 and id is 1 raw text is: DOCOUMfT RESOUE 05332 - [8O7356461 Amtrak* Costs and Operating aesults. martch 10. 1978. 6 pp. + 4 appendices (8 pp.). Testimony before the 3enate Committee on Commerce, Science* and !Tansportation: Surface Transportati c Subcommittee; by Henry Eschveqe, Director, Community and Economiz Development Div. Contact: Community and Bconoic Development Div. Organization Concorned: National Railroad Pasa eger Corp. Congressional Relevance: Senate Cor ittee on c mn oe. Scimene, and Transportation: Surface TraAsportation Subcommittee. Authority: Rail Passenger Services Act. From Astrak's beginning in may 1971 through September 1977. it incurred deficits totaling S1.85 billion. Amtrak placed its Government operating subsidy requirements for fiscal year 1979 at $6!j million, but the Administration proposed S510 million. If atrak's subsidy is to be reduced, substantial reductions in service will be necessary, entailing discontination of the least-used routes. Areas in which greater management efficiency could be achieved are: develcpm'rt of productivity standards to coutrol maintenance costs, improvements in food and bevoxage service and sanitary conditions. and a more rational approach tc york rules. Bouever. improved efficiencies in these and other areas would act appreciabiy reduce subsidy 1heeds. although Amtrak has grown since it began operations, passenger miles per train have decreard,. Amtrak identified routes which it thought warranted development, but prospects for economic r-ccess on these routes are not pronising. Benefits such as fuel savings, conveniencep and reduced air pollution also depend on increased ridership. The most successful operation has ben it, the Northeast corridor which accounted for 555 ot ridership in 1977. It is up to the Conqress to choose the level of subsidy and resulting service to provide to Amtrak. The Congiess has approved * oute and Service Criteria designed to require consideration of all factors involved in rail passenger services. (1T2)