National Railroad Passenger Corporation
210 S. Canal Street
Chicago, IL 60606
www.amtrak.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin Johnson
312-655-1338
ATK-01-221
December 21, 2001

AMTRAK APPLAUDS FLORIDA’S COMMITTMENT TO PASSENGER RAIL EXPANSION
$23.5 million Budgeted To Start Route Along Florida’s East Coast

CHICAGO -- Amtrak is trumpeting Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s announcement yesterday directing the Florida Department of Transportation to fully fund the expansion of Amtrak passenger rail service between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, along Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) right-of-way.

In May, Amtrak and the FEC entered into an agreement to provide direct rail passenger service to major communities, popular tourist attractions and cruise ports on the East Coast of Florida for the first time in Amtrak’s 30-year history. Amtrak will contribute $16.5 million for employee training, equipment modification and construction of maintenance facilities. The FEC has committed $3 million for joint capacity improvements. The $8 million committed by Governor Bush yesterday will be added to $15.5 million that the Florida Department of Transportation previously earmarked for the project. Together, the funds will allow capital improvements to begin on the FEC right-of-way between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach and on the stations to be developed by the communities.

Once track work begins, a single daily round-trip passenger train could be operating between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach in approximately 12 months. The service will feature new station stops in eight communities: St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cocoa/Port Canaveral, Melbourne, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Stuart.

"Amtrak is grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Governor Bush and the Florida Department of Transportation for the expansion of rail passenger service in Florida," said Don Saunders, Senior Vice President of Amtrak Intercity. "We also appreciate the ongoing support of the eight communities and their mayors along the state’s east coast that will be gaining an important transportation option for both residents and tourists."

Amtrak currently provides rail passenger service from New York along the east coast and into Florida from Jacksonville to Miami over two inland routes via Orlando, totaling three round trips per day on the Silver Meteor, Silver Palm and Silver Star. The Jacksonville – West Palm Beach expansion is part of a larger Amtrak plan to restructure and increase service in Florida. When facility improvements have been completed, Amtrak will offer six daily north-south roundtrips within Florida, doubling the current three.

Amtrak also provides service on the Sunset Limited, between Orlando and Los Angeles and the Auto Train between Sanford, FL and Lorton, VA. Both of these services will not be affected by the restructuring.

Now that the necessary initial funding commitment has been secured, the first phase of capital improvements can begin. To complete the project, another $40 million in funding is needed for additional improvements and the operation of a second train between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach. Completion of this second phase of this project is expected during fiscal year 2005 and 2006, when the remaining $37.6 state contribution will be programmed.

Amtrak guests enjoy satisfaction-guaranteed service in more than 500 communities in 46 states throughout a 22,000-mile route system. Amtrak offers guests America’s only high-speed rail service between Washington and Boston as well as a nationwide unconditional guest Satisfaction Guarantee. Last year, the company set all-time records for passenger ridership and overall revenue. For more information, including schedules, fares and reservations, visit Amtrak’s Web site at www.amtrak.com.