John Mica : Mica Calls on DOT Secretary to Implement Amtrak Competition

Washington, DC - - Representative John L. Mica (FL-07) today called on Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx to implement private-sector passenger rail competition provisions included in the recently passed Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Rep. Mica said 'I intend to do everything possible to ensure that the Obama Administration does not drag its feet in ending Amtrak's Soviet style monopoly on passenger rail service. In the Northeast Corridor, so-called high-speed trains travel is a joke with an average speed of 68mph between New York and Boston and 83mph between New York and Washington, D.C. It's time to join the rest of the advanced world by allowing the private-sector the opportunity to bring high-speed rail to this and other corridors.'

In a challenge to Secretary Foxx, Mica called on the Secretary to 'implement both the spirit and intent of the law. It is my intent to pursue and conduct rigorous oversight of the implementation of competition for routes currently monopolized by Amtrak.' Congressman Mica also stated in 2016, as Chairman of the Transportation and Public Assets Oversight Subcommittee, he will ensure that the provisions of this law regarding passenger rail competition are appropriately implemented. This law requires historic Amtrak reforms, including soliciting requests from the private sector to submit proposals for establishing high-speed service in designated congested rail corridors. The law also requires DOT to invite competition by the private-sector on up to three long-distance routes. Mica said 'Some of these routes have tickets that are subsidized more than $300 each. Not only can we improve and expand passenger rail service, we can save taxpayers some of the billion-dollar plus annual subsidy Amtrak receives year after year.' Mica added 'I don't want this opportunity squandered or torpedoed by bureaucrats.'

Congressman Mica, former Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has long championed private-sector passenger rail competition and succeeded in opening competition to Amtrak for the first time since its creation in 1971.

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