By Alabama Public Radio
Mobile, AL – U-S Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta visited Mobile Wednesday to announce a plan to save AMTRAK. He says the federally funded rail service is losing millions of dollars every year. He says the government is now asking states to pay half the cost of maintaining AMTRAK's infrastructure. He says unless states help, Amtrak likely will declare bankruptcy by the end of the year. Under Mineta's proposal, Amtrak would offer frequent daytime trips from Mobile to New Orleans at lower fares. Very few riders currently use that route. Amtrak also provides passenger rail service in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Anniston and Atmore.