The Bush Administration intensified debate over Amtraks future when it declared it would force the carrier into bankruptcy if Congress did not agree to a radical restructuring proposal. The president and his supporters insist they're making their best effort to preserve long-distance passenger trains, but critics argue the plan is shortsighted and irresponsible. President Bush's proposed budget for fiscal 2006 includes no Amtrak operating grants. That means Amtrak will go bankrupt when its new fiscal year starts Oct. 1 if Congress does not implement the restructuring. Called the Passenger Rail Investment Reform Act, it would split the carrier into separate infrastructure and operating entities. States would be asked to assume ownership of assets and share 50-50 the costs for tracks, stations, and other infrastructure with the federal government. Amtraks sole focus would be running trains, but states would have to pay 100% of the operating costs. States also could award contracts to private carriers to operate passenger trains.
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