Tester gets $166 million for Amtrak. Daily service to return in 90 days

[Ptah]

Daily passenger rail service aboard Amtrak will return to Montana’s Hi-Line within the next 90 days, after a bill drafted by Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s secured an additional $166 million in grants for the beleaguered national rail carrier. Tester's bill was passed by the U.S. Senate along party lines on Saturday, as part of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package.

Service along Amtrak's Empire Builder long-distance passenger line, which serves 12 communities along Montana's Hi-Line, was cut from seven-days a week to just three last October, after ridership dropped to just five-percent of pre-pandemic levels.


On Feb. 23, Tester introduced legislation to reinstate furloughed Amtrak employees and return complete service to the Empire Builder, as well as to the 14 other long-distance routes across the country that Amtrak currently operates.

“Folks on the Hi-Line depend on Amtrak to stay connected, and its full return will boost the economy and create good-paying jobs across the region,” Tester said upon introducing the legislation. “Returning Amtrak service to northern Montana has been one of my top priorities since the service was cut, and I won’t stop fighting until this bill is signed into law by the President and the Empire Builder is fully restored.”

https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2021/03/09/daily-amtrak-rail-service-return-montana-hi-line/4630446001/

[getagrip_already]

1. it amazes me that....

the gop would vote against a populist bill like this. Note that I didn't say surprises me. I'm not surprised, just amazed they would continue firing at their own feet moving under the covers, even after they feel the pain.

It's like being against fixing potholes.

[murielm99]

2. I like Tester.

If you are looking for something to read, read his book, "Grounded."

He has accomplished more than most of us realize.