Amtrak expected to get new federal funding plan

WASHINGTON – Amtrak, the U.S. passenger railroad that services Boston and Providence, is slated to get a new funding plan before Congress adjourns this year, lawmakers and business leaders from the Northeast said.
The supporters, including representatives from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co., called on Congress to approve legislation that may lead to more money for Amtrak, Bloomberg News reported last week. The Washington-based railroad said on Sept. 8 that August ridership rose 10 percent from a year earlier as drivers avoided high gasoline prices.
“Amtrak has to be thought of being at the heart of the economy and the mobility system and the quality of life and competitiveness of the U.S. Northeast,” said Robert Yaro, president of the New York area’s Regional Plan Association.
The backing for Amtrak comes after both the U.S. House and Senate approved bills to set funding for the railroad, with the five-year, $14.3 billion House plan inviting proposals for private operation of high-speed service between New York and Washington. The Senate bill would provide $11.4 billion. &#8226