Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri and ranking minority member of the subcommittee, raised concerns about management and financing for rail programs.

"When it comes to rail, no one has a complete picture of what we are going to build, a map of the plan, how we are going to pay for it, or how much it will cost us," he said. "With a $12 trillion and growing deficit, we can't just throw funds at projects willy-nilly."

Bond discussed a National Rail Plan to be presented to the subcommittee this September. He expressed hope that the plan will address those questions. Bond also emphasized that this plan should highlight those corridors that the Obama administration has identified as high-speed-rail investment priorities, the cost estimates for those routes, and benchmarks to better assess how improvements to existing rail networks will benefit the public. In addition, Bond asked that Amtrak's capital needs and fleet requirements be included in the plan.

President Barack Obama's budget requests for the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak were reviewed during the Senate transportation appropriations subcommittee hearing, which took place last week.

Subcommittee Chairwoman Patty Murray, D-Washington state, stressed to leaders of FRA and Amtrak that they need to administer their programs and manage their funding effectively and responsibly.

"Both organizations face significant challenges in the years ahead," she said, "but we can't afford to waste taxpayer dollars or squander this unique opportunity to make our railroads work better for commuters, businesses, and communities across the country."

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo reviewed his agency's efforts to make rail transportation systems more secure and efficient.

"We have continued to enhance the safety of our citizens who live along and use the nation's freight- and passenger-rail systems, while designing the policies, programs, and infrastructure necessary to advance the vision and investment of high-speed passenger rail across our country," he said.

Joseph Boardman, Amtrak's president and CEO, stressed the urgent need to replace an aging fleet. Amtrak, which could compete directly with private operators under the Obama administration's high-speed-rail plan, is seeking $2.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2011. That amount includes $446 million to buy new rail cars and locomotives.

"If we continue to delay, we risk a significant worsening of the mechanical problems and failures that degrade our service quality and increase the already considerable maintenance expenses associated with the maintenance and repair of a fleet far past its prime," he said.

Theodore Alves, Amtrak's inspector general, reinforced a need for the long-distance passenger railroad to be well-positioned for future challenges.

"Amtrak can still be the provider of choice in this competitive environment, but only if it is perceived as an efficient organization that provides quality and cost-effective service," Alves said.

Witness statements and a video of this hearing are available at tinyurl.com/THUDRAAS-hearings.