Race is on to fix crisis at Amtrak.

Byline: SUSAN PALMER The Register-Guard

Susan Keane fretted as she waited for the Coast Starlight at the Eugene train depot Tuesday.

Keane doesn't drive because of a disability, and since Sept. 11, she's afraid to fly. But she travels regularly. About every two months, she heads to Seattle to visit her two sons and granddaughter.

News of Amtrak's woes has troubled her. "If they close it down, I'd be stranded," she said.

But last-minute reprieves for the financially beleaguered system are likely at both the state and federal levels.

Oregon legislators meeting in a special session to balance the state budget dropped a proposed $1.4 million cut, which would have eliminated one of two Eugene-to-Portland trains.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta also promised that the federal government would find the money to stave off a shutdown of the national system.

Without that support, Amtrak President David Gunn had threatened to start closing down the rail system as early as today.

Gunn took over the helm of Amtrak six weeks ago, looked at the books and told government officials that the passenger rail line didn't have the money to keep trains running.

"I think they should give Gunn time to do his job," Keane said. "He came out of retirement to help."

On Tuesday, both houses in Congress were submitting letters to the White House and congressional negotiators urging them to include $205 million for Amtrak in a supplemental spending bill.

And in a conference call Tuesday, Gunn told state rail officials across the country that he was confident the federal government would come up with loan guarantees and an appropriation to keep trains on track, said Bob Krebs, intercity passenger rail coordinator for Oregon, who listened in on the call.

Without that infusion, Amtrak can't operate beyond Oct. 1, Krebs said. To shut down in an orderly fashion, mothball equipment and lay off workers, Amtrak would have to start right away, he said.

Instead, with the expected support, the ailing rail line will have some breathing room to improve accounting methods and find ways to cut costs, a process that could take as long as a year, Krebs said.

Gunn hasn't had a chance to make substantive changes yet, he said. "He got on the Titanic right after the iceberg hit," Krebs said.

Amtrak travel between Eugene and Vancouver, B.C., increased nearly sixfold between 1993 and 2001. Last year, nearly 600,000 people traveled by train in the Cascade corridor, Amtrak numbers show.

Oregon pays Amtrak to run the Cascade passenger routes. The federal government subsidizes the Coast Starlight trains, which run between Los Angeles and Seattle.

Despite the financial uncertainties, Amtrak says customers can rely on trains in the near term.

"We're still in business as usual," said Amtrak spokeswoman Sarah Swain. "There's no need to cancel travel plans."

Still, those who are worried can cancel refundable tickets, she said. Nonrefundable ticket holders are out of luck.

At least one customer was taking Amtrak at its word.

Bill Burger dropped into the Eugene train depot to book tickets for himself and his two daughters to Spokane on July 4, confident that the trains will be running. Burger said his family enjoys relaxing on trains as opposed to long, tiring drives. Having lived in Europe and Japan where rail service almost eliminates the need for cars, Burger said he'd like to see passenger service expanded, not eliminated.

"I'm very concerned about the rail system. It's a real asset and it would be a shame to lose," he said.

For more information about ticket refunds or purchases, call [phone], or check online at www.amtrak.com.

CAPTION(S):

BRIAN DAVIES / The Register-Guard Susan Keane of Eugene relies on Amtrak to travel to Seattle to visit family.