Citing increased demand for passenger rail service and rising gas prices, the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) urged Congress to invest $1.68 billion in Amtrak next year and to steer clear of route-cutting discussions.  In a statement submitted to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development in April, NARP Executive Director Ross Capon noted that Amtrak ridership has been strong, with overnight trains seeing a 3% increase in passenger-miles traveled during the first half of fiscal year 2007 compared to a year ago. The Bush Administration requested just $800 million for Amtrak plus an additional $100 million for the corridor development matching grant program, an amount Amtrak has testified would make it difficult to keep the system running. Amtrak's requested amount of $1.68 billion includes $100 million for matching grants for a state corridor development program. To read the full statement on the NARP Website, click here.