Virginia faces Amtrak funding cuts despite record ridership

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Appropriations Act from the House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development includes $1.6 million in cuts to transportation. What does that mean for us in Virginia?

“Virginia will see reduced food services on trains [and] fewer staff to assist passengers, both on trains and at stations,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers’ Association.

The House committee intends to put the funding towards addressing the housing crisis with a focus on the elderly, as well as the disabled and veterans. The bill also aims to bolster homeless assistance grant programs.

“The bill meets the critical transportation and housing needs of our nation, while reducing excessive spending and regulatory burdens,” said Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack.

If it advances, the bill will allocate more than $60 billion to highway funding and approximately $21 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration.

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