Baucus says he”ll fight Bush idea for Amtrak

HELENA – A Bush administration proposal requiring western states to pay for operation and maintenance of Amtrak would mean an end to passenger train service in Montana, Sen. Max Baucus said Thursday.

He also said the administration’s plan to separate the northeastern part of the country, with other states — including Montana — left to fend for themselves, is irresponsible and unfair. Baucus vowed not to let the administration end Amtrak service to Montana.

“This proposal would dismantle Amtrak as Americans know it outside of the northeastern corridor,” he said in a statement. “This proposal is not only shortsighted, but it is totally unfair, irresponsible and nonsensical.”

Amtrak’s Empire Builder serves 12 communities across northern Montana, on a route from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Seattle which includes a stop in Spokane.

Baucus said the Empire Builder was used by more than 129,000 people last year, reflecting a ridership increase of 5.7 percent, and contributed $14 million to Montana’s 2004 economy, while employing 57 Montanans with a payroll of $3.2 million.

“Amtrak truly is a lifeline in Montana,” Baucus said in a letter to President Bush. Eliminating the service would be devastating to the people and communities along Montana’s Hi-Line, he said.

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Amtrak service is something the American people want, for both passenger and cargo service, and it is a “critical portion of our transportation system.”

He said it will take funding to keep the service intact.