By Brad Palmer
Washington, D.C. – A southern Illinois Congressman is behind a bill to improve the rail service offered by Amtrak.
Collinsville Republican John Shimkus voted for the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
It would require Amtrak to implement an improved accounting and financial reporting system, submit a report on the revenues and costs of each route and to submit a five-year business plan.
The bill would also require a study of bio-fuels for locomotives and authorize state rail plans to coordinate freight and passenger rail traffic.
The measure passed the U.S. House and is on its way to the Senate.
