The Missouri House and Senate budget negotiators agreed to provide $8 million in operating subsidies to keep two passenger trains running between St Louis and Kansas City.
The House budget committee had cut the subsidies nearly in half in the budget passed in March. House members then complained of the frequent delays caused by freight travel along the tracks.
Senator Bill Stouffer of mid-Missouri area says it was important to work out the on-time performance of the trains.
Actuality: STOUFF2.WAV |
Run Time: 00:15 |
Description: "We've got to improve performance because people simply cannot trust the trains to be on time now and once we get on-time performance improved then I think we will see ridership go up." |
From Jefferson City, this is Suvro Banerji, KMOX News
The House amd Senate budget negotiators agreed to provide $8 million in subsidies to operate two Amtrak passenger trains running to and from St Louis and Kansas City.
Senator Bill Stouffer of central Missouri area says the trains could serve as a major form of transportation for the daily commuters.
Actuality: STOUFF1.WAV |
Run Time: 00:10 |
Description: "When people want to use the trains to go to work- they need to get over and they need to get back at night. Se we need two trains to allow that to happen." |
Lawmakers said eliminating one train could have caused a large drop in riderships and caused inconvenience to travelers.
From Jefferson City, this is Suvro Banerji, KMOX News.