Looming funding cuts to Amtrak’s most popular lines in Pennsylvania are leaving many passengers unsure of what the future will hold.
There are thousands of people in our region that depend on Amtrak to get to work everyday. The federal funding cuts that are coming next year will hurt; it’s just a matter of how much.
“More funding cuts are really going to crash my pocket,” explained Amtrak rider Francis Wilson. “But what can I say? They are going to do it anyway.”
Francis Wilson depends on Amtrak everyday. He works in Philly, but lives in Lancaster.
“I can’t really think of anything simple to say. Because it really sucks,” Wilson continued.
Wilson just found out that next October, Amtrak lines in PA will lose millions in federal funding and it could affect his commute. The cuts will hit the popular Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines because of a 2008 law that shifts operating costs from the federal government to the states.
But PA taxpayers already give millions to Amtrak every year and the cuts from the feds could mean cuts in service.
Tuesday, Amtrak gave us this statement, “Amtrak is in the business of running trains, and we want to continue to run all the corridor services we operate today. We have been and are continuing to work with PennDOT and other states to determine how best to comply with this federal law,” stated Amtrak spokesperson Christina Leeds.
Meanwhile, Francis Wilson worries, if the price of a ticket gets much higher he’ll have a big decision to make.
“Are you going to consider moving to Philly?” we asked him.
“No, I’m just going to relocate and see if I can get work out here. It’s kind of hard to even get a job. But I have to commute back and forth to make ends meet.”
Even though these cuts are coming and its uncertain how that will affect service, Amtrak continues to spend money. Next year, new locomotives are scheduled to go online in PA that can reach speeds of 125 mph.
There are thousands of people in our region that depend on Amtrak to get to work everyday. The federal funding cuts that are coming next year will hurt; it’s just a matter of how much.
“More funding cuts are really going to crash my pocket,” explained Amtrak rider Francis Wilson. “But what can I say? They are going to do it anyway.”
Francis Wilson depends on Amtrak everyday. He works in Philly, but lives in Lancaster.
“I can’t really think of anything simple to say. Because it really sucks,” Wilson continued.
Wilson just found out that next October, Amtrak lines in PA will lose millions in federal funding and it could affect his commute. The cuts will hit the popular Keystone and Pennsylvanian lines because of a 2008 law that shifts operating costs from the federal government to the states.
But PA taxpayers already give millions to Amtrak every year and the cuts from the feds could mean cuts in service.
Tuesday, Amtrak gave us this statement, “Amtrak is in the business of running trains, and we want to continue to run all the corridor services we operate today. We have been and are continuing to work with PennDOT and other states to determine how best to comply with this federal law,” stated Amtrak spokesperson Christina Leeds.
Meanwhile, Francis Wilson worries, if the price of a ticket gets much higher he’ll have a big decision to make.
“Are you going to consider moving to Philly?” we asked him.
“No, I’m just going to relocate and see if I can get work out here. It’s kind of hard to even get a job. But I have to commute back and forth to make ends meet.”
Even though these cuts are coming and its uncertain how that will affect service, Amtrak continues to spend money. Next year, new locomotives are scheduled to go online in PA that can reach speeds of 125 mph.