HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Daily service for Amtrak’s Empire Builder is likely to resume in June after the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill passed the U.S. Senate this weekend.
The bill includes funding for Amtrak and features a provision added by U.S. Senator Jon Tester that requires Amtrak to restore daily service on long-distance routes within 90 days and reinstate recently furloughed employees.
Paul Tuss is the Executive Director of Bear Paw Development and has testified to Congress about the need to restore daily service on the Hi-Line.
“Clearly, we’re not receiving the travelers through Montana on Amtrak that we received previously. And for those folks that relied on ticket agents, be it elderly or children or handicapped folks, that service will get reinstated with this new legislation. So it’s good all the way around, and I’m very pleased with this development.”
Long-distance routes, including the Empire Builder, have been reduced to tri-weekly service since October after Amtrak did not receive emergency funding they had requested from the federal government.
The bill is on track to pass the U.S. House of Representatives later this week, and would then go to President Joe Biden’s desk.
