Derailing the Northeast Corridor?

Amtrak's chairman is proposing a plan to split the Northeast Corridor from the troubled railroad to revitalize passenger rail service. The proposal would make the eight states the Boston-Washington route travels through chip in more money. This doesn't sit well with Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell, who believe s it's a smokescreen for a plan to dismantle Amtrak entirely, or Washington State senator Patty Murray, who objects to the government aiding any public transportation that becomes a mere regional system. The board of Amtrak seems to be ready to go ahead with the plan, which means that Amtrak is probably going to be left to fend for itself and wither away. This, despite our increasing dependence on foreign oil and the fact that intercity rail is far more energy-efficient than cars or the airlines.

This sucks! >:-(