[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 248 (Thursday, December 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66871-66872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31793]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

AMTRAK REFORM COUNCIL


Notice of Meeting

AGENCY: Amtrak Reform Council.

ACTION: Notice of special public business meeting in Washington, DC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As provided in Section 203 of the Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997 (Reform Act), the Amtrak Reform Council 
(Council) gives notice of a special public meeting of the Council. On 
Friday, January 11, 2002, the Council will hold a Business Meeting from 
9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) during which time the 
Council members will discuss the various options for restructuring 
intercity rail passenger service.
    During the last Council meeting on December 14, 2001, the Council 
discussed nine options for restructuring Amtrak. The Council then 
instructed the Council staff to reduce those options to three, and the 
Council will discuss those three options at the next Council meeting on 
January 11, 2002. The Council will determine, either at the January 
11th Meeting, in a later meeting, or by a mail ballot, which option or 
options to adopt. The final recommendation will be submitted to 
Congress on February 7, 2002.
    The Amtrak Reform Council on November 9, 2001 approved a resolution 
finding that Amtrak would not achieve operational self-sufficiency by 
December 2, 2002 as required by the Amtrak Reform and Accountability 
Act of 1997. The Council's finding started a 90-day clock in which the 
Council must submit an action plan for a restructured and rationalized 
national intercity rail passenger system to Congress.

[[Page 66872]]


DATES: The Business Meeting will be held on Friday, January 11, 2002, 
from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. EST. The event is open to the public.

ADDRESSES: The Business Meeting will take place in the Monet Suite (2nd 
Floor) in the Loews L'Enfant Hotel, 480 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., 
Washington, DC 20024. The nearest Metro stop is L'Enfant. Persons in 
need of special arrangements should contact the person listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deirdre O'Sullivan, Amtrak Reform 
Council, Room 7105, JM-ARC, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590, or by telephone at (202) 366-0591; FAX: 202-493-2061. For 
information regarding ARC's Finding Resolution, the ARC's Proposed Nine 
Options for Restructuring Amtrak, the ARC's two Annual Reports, 
information about ARC Council Members and staff, and much more, you can 
also visit the Council's website at www.amtrakreformcouncil.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ARC was created by the Amtrak Reform and 
Accountability Act of 1997 (Reform Act), as an independent commission, 
to evaluate Amtrak's performance and to make recommendations to Amtrak 
for achieving further cost containment, productivity improvements, and 
financial reforms. In addition, the Reform Act provides: that the 
Council is to monitor cost savings from work rules established under 
new agreements between Amtrak and its labor unions; that the Council 
submit an annual report to Congress that includes an assessment of 
Amtrak's progress on the resolution of productivity issues; and that, 
after a specified period, the Council has the authority to determine 
whether Amtrak can meet certain financial goals specified under the 
Reform Act and, if it finds that Amtrak cannot, to notify the President 
and the Congress.
    The Reform Act prescribes that the Council is to consist of eleven 
members, including the Secretary of Transportation and ten others 
nominated by the President and the leadership of the Congress. Members 
serve a five-year term.

    Issued in Washington, DC--December 19, 2001.
Thomas A. Till,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 01-31793 Filed 12-26-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P