.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A leading congressional critic of Amtrak on Friday
proposed a radical restructuring that would break up the national
passenger railroad.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., introduced legislation that would direct the
Federal Railroad Administration to begin franchising rail routes to
companies that meet
certain safety and liability requirements.

Amtrak, currently the nation's exclusive provider of intercity passenger
train service, would be broken up into an operations unit, a maintenance
unit and a rail reservation unit. Each would be turned over to the private
sector within four years.

The bill also would create an Amtrak Control Board to oversee the
restructuring and eventual privatization.

``Given Amtrak's extremely precarious financial situation, I strongly
believe we must work together to pass legislation this year that will
provide for a restructured, revitalized and streamlined rail passenger
network,'' McCain said.

Many of his recommendations are in line with those of the Amtrak Reform
Council. The council, created by Congress in 1997, issued a report on Feb.
7 calling for competition in passenger rail.

At a hearing Thursday, House Democrats gave a cool reception to the
council's report, voicing concerns about routes in their states and the
impact of free-market competition in passenger train service.

Congress is expected to vote this year on whether to authorize Amtrak's
continued existence.

Amtrak and its supporters say the problem with the nation's passenger rail
system is a chronic shortage of federal support.

Amtrak President George Warrington added a sense of urgency to the debate
by announcing Feb. 1 that 18 long-distance routes will be eliminated
unless Amtrak receives $1.2 billion in the 2003 budget year, which begins
in October. President Bush has proposed $521 million.

AP-NY-02-15-02 1905EST