U.S. government-supported passenger railroad Amtrak said yesterday that without a new government bailout it could be forced to cut more spending and train services, which could lead to the loss of another 2,400 jobs, Reuters reported. Amtrak last month told Congress it needs up to $4.9 billion in government funding for the current budget year, up from the around $2 billion in annual support it usually receives. The railroad, which said last month it was cutting 2,000 jobs, said on Thursday that without more support from Congress, reduced capital spending would result in the loss of 775 jobs, and further reductions in train service by state partners would likely result in 1,625 job losses. Without the new funding, Amtrak chief executive Bill Flynn said, “We will be unable to avoid more drastic impacts that could have long lasting effects on our Northeast Corridor infrastructure and the national rail system.”
