The May 3 editorial "Off Track" was narrow-minded and shortsighted.
Amtrak, which operates more than 22,000 route miles and serves over 24 million passengers a year, is one of the nation's most relied-upon transportation systems. Despite the territory the rail system covers and the people who depend on it, every year we find ourselves battling for Amtrak funding.
With more than 147,000 square miles in Montana, people need consistent and secure ways to travel. Amtrak plays a huge role in covering these miles. Last year Amtrak's Empire Builder line was used by more than 129,000 people, up from 122,053 the previous year. Amtrak also moves cargo, creates jobs, facilitates Montana's tourism industry and boosts the state's overall economy. These figures are an indictor of this rail system's impact throughout the country.
As we continue to face the war on terrorism and work to protect our homeland, we must be conscientious about spending. But Amtrak is not one of the areas in which Congress should institute cuts. I am not ready to give up on Amtrak as a national system of public transportation, and I plan to be involved every step of the way as we move forward to sustain this critical link in our nation's infrastructure.
CONRAD BURNS
U.S. Senator (R-Mont.)
Washington
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