Without this source of revenue, the prospects are bleak for realizing Amtrak's potential and for it to become self-sufficient.

Congress has ordered Amtrak to be fully self-sufficient by 2003. So it ill behooves Congress to stand in the way of fulfillment of its own mandate. Giving Amtrak the requested bonding authority is a reasonable way to achieve Amtrak's sound business goals.

Amtrak is on the right track. Ridership has risen each of the past three years for a total of 10 percent, and on-time performance is 81 percent.

Members of this state's congressional delegation have a responsibility to do their part to make Amtrak succeed. Amtrak is experiencing its fastest growth in Washington state, where ridership on the Cascades train is up 170 percent since 1992.

This state and Oregon, plus various ports and local communities and Burlington Northern railroad, have invested $590 million to upgrade train service in the region. The result is two new Talgo trains offering highly popular, faster and more frequent service between Seattle and Eugene.

Congress must help Amtrak build on this success. Much remains to be done to make high-speed rail what it ought to be in this country. Improved safety at rail crossings and higher speed rail corridors are a must. Locally, renovation of Seattle's decrepit King Street Station is imperative, as is extending high-speed rail service to Vancouver, B.C., and adding more trains. In addition, Amtrak wants to expand delivery of mail and agricultural products such as apples using the Empire Builder.

Amtrak is showing it can be successful. But it can't go the distance if an intransigent Congress lies down on the tracks in front of the train.

Publication date: 2000-06-11