Amtrak, showing significant improvement in its business fortunes, is requesting $450 million in federal operating support for fiscal year 2013, less than the $466 million appropriated by Congress for fiscal year 2012. The rail service said its ability to seek reduced federal operating funding results from successful and ongoing efforts to improve its financial performance, including increased efficiency, cost controls, and debt reduction as well as better service, record ridership and anticipated increases in revenue.

“Amtrak’s request for less federal operating support is a strong statement on just how much this railroad has improved its management and financial health,” said Joe Boardman, Amtrak’s president and CEO. “The fact is, Amtrak now covers 85 percent of its operating costs with non-federal dollars and we will further improve on that number without cutting service.”

Amtrak submitted its request to Congress on Feb. 3 as part of its fiscal year 2013 Grant and Legislative Request for federal funding to support its operating and capital investment needs. The request also contains a detailed discussion of legislative issues, including Amtrak’s top five priorities for a new surface transportation bill.

The full fiscal year 2013 request totals $2.167 billion and supports aggressive efforts by Amtrak to build the equipment, infrastructure and organization needed to ensure continued strong growth. The company is investing in projects critical for enhancing the passenger experience, essential for supporting its national network and vital for its future.

The funding request consists of four major components: $450 million for operations to support the national network of corridor, state-supported and long-distance trains; $1.435 billon for capital and infrastructure projects nationally; $212 million for debt service; and $60 million for Northeast Corridor (NEC) development projects, the Gateway Program to add track, station and tunnel capacity into the heart of Manhattan, and the high-capacity 220 mph next generation high-speed rail system from Washington, D.C. to Boston.

Boardman said federal funding is critical for continuing and advancing many successful initiatives begun during the last three years which have taken root within the company and are now bearing fruit, strengthening the railroad’s bottom line and laying the groundwork that will take intercity passenger rail to the next level. He also emphasized it is imperative that Congress integrate Amtrak and other federal rail programs into a comprehensive and truly multi-modal surface transportation bill.

As the nation’s intercity passenger rail provider and only high-speed rail operator, Amtrak believes the rail section should include these top five priorities: provide dedicated, multi-year funding for intercity and high-speed passenger rail; establish a national investment strategy; create a clear and leading role for Amtrak; ensure coordinated corridor planning and project execution; and address liability and insurance issues.

“Congress has given Amtrak a critical national mission to provide intercity passenger rail service, and with an appropriate level of federal funding support, we can secure a stronger future for our country and reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Boardman.

Along with its fiscal year 2013 Grant and Legislative Request, Amtrak submitted to Congress its fiscal year 2012-2016 Five Year Financial Plan that reflects the company’s commitment to continuing strategic capital investments that will yield returns from better service reliability, improved customer service and expanded service options. A record 30.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in fiscal year 2011 on more than 300 daily trains.