Patrick Steps Up For Amtrak In Bucks County (updates)

This Philadelphia Inquirer story tells us that Patrick Murphy is trying to add extra Amtrak stops and lower the fares at the Cornwells Heights, PA train stop.

As the Inquirer explains…

Today, Amtrak provides only two morning and two evening stops there - and the cost of a monthly pass to New York has gone from $555 in October 2005 to $972 today.

Only a handful of riders make that commute today; a few years ago, Murphy said, 26,000 riders annually took Amtrak from Cornwells Heights.

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 311-104 to authorize nearly $15 billion for Amtrak and other passenger railroads over the next five years. Murphy attached an amendment to the bill requiring Amtrak to evaluate service between Cornwells Heights and New York and, within a year, determine whether it should increase the number of stops or lower commuter prices.

"With more stops and lower fares, more people would use it," Murphy said. "The same trip takes twice as long as using SEPTA and then transferring to New Jersey Transit, and even longer if the commuter is driving."

And it almost goes without saying at this point that this is indicative of a trend; this USA Today story from June 1st tells us that mass transit ridership is breaking records all over the country (and the Inquirer notes that Cliff Black, an Amtrak spokesman, was “'very pleased' with the funding bill”).

So Patrick recognized that and tried to encourage Amtrak to do what it could to increase and support new ridership by adding the amendment to the bill.

Which of course faces the inevitable veto threat from President Clueless.

Update 1 6/13/08: By the way, for local Bucks County folk, Patrick will stop by the Lower Makefield Township municipal building tomorrow morning at 10:30 to discuss how local businesses can "go green." To learn more about the campaign, click here.

Update 2 6/13/08: Sounds like the Courier Times editorial board needs another does of Geritol; nice job to totally misrepresent what Patrick is trying to accomplish (what, is he supposed to tell Amtrak how many stops it should make at Cornwells Heights?).

Update 3 6/13/08: This Letter To The Editor appeared in the Courier Times today...

On May 10, Congressman Patrick Murphy met with juvenile diabetics and their families. The congressman listened to our stories, and the toll and economic impact diabetes takes on entire families. He promised to remember all of us when it comes to renewing the Special Diabetes Program.

Murphy listened to my story and the problems my daughter was experiencing. He then contacted her insurance company on her behalf and she has received coverage for a glucose monitor to help control her diabetes.

Murphy is truly our partner in the battle to cure diabetes.

Rosemary Peters
Levittown, PA

To help Patrick, click here (nice overhaul on the web site, by the way).