[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 2272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-699]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Amtrak Reform Council; Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Amtrak Reform Council meeting.

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SUMMARY: As provided in Section 203 of the Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 
gives notice of a meeting of the Amtrak Reform Council (``ARC''). The 
purpose of the meeting is to receive Amtrak's response to the 
Department of Transportation's Inspector General's independent 
assessment report of Amtrak's financial needs, discuss possible 
selection of an executive director, receive a briefing from 
representatives of rail labor and to take up such other matters as the 
Council or its members deem appropriate.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 
January 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Krieble Center, Free 
Congress Foundation, 717 Second Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The 
meeting is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Portions of the meeting may be closed to the public at the discretion 
of the Council if proprietary information is to be discussed. Persons 
in need of special arrangements should contact the person whose name is 
listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alexander Chavrid, Passengers Programs 
Division, Office of Railroad Development, FRA, RDV-13, Mail Stop 20, 
1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20590 (mailing address only) 
or by telephone at (202) 493-6380.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ARC was created by the Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997 (ARAA) as an independent commission to 
evaluate Amtrak's performance and make recommendations to Amtrak for 
achieving further cost containment and productivity improvements, and 
financial reforms. In addition, the ARAA requires: that the ARC monitor 
cost savings resulting from work rules established under new agreements 
between Amtrak and its labor unions; that the ARC provide an annual 
report to Congress that includes an assessment of Amtrak's progress on 
the resolution of productivity issues; and that after two years the ARC 
begin to make findings on whether Amtrak can meet certain financial 
goals and, if not, to notify the President and the Congress.
    The ARAA provides that the ARC consist of eleven members, including 
the Secretary of Transportation and ten others nominated by the 
President or Congressional leaders. Each member is to serve a 5 year 
term.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 7, 1999.
Mark E. Yachmetz,
Chief, Passenger Programs Division.
[FR Doc. 99-699 Filed 1-12-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P