<strong> SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS REGARDING AMTRAK BILL TO CUT PROMOTIONS AND DISCOUNTED FARES</strong>

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SAMPLE LETTER TO CONGRESS REGARDING AMTRAK BILL TO CUT PROMOTIONS AND DISCOUNTED FARES

Below is a sample letter that will help you write an effective message. Do your best to illustrate key points by describing your own personal experiences and needs.
PREPARED BY --Ross B. Capon, NARP Executive Director

To find the addresses of your Senators and House representatives go to:

Senate-- http://www.senate.gov, choose your state from the drop-down menu
House-- http://www.house.gov, either chose your Representative from the drop-down menu or enter your zip code at the top of the page.

TEXT OF SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear Representative X:

Please work to repeal the provision in the new transportation appropriations law which will limit Amtrak’s ability to increase revenue by using discounts to stimulate in off peak periods. Please express your strong support for repeal to [Insert Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), chairman of the House appropriations subcommittee, if your representative is a Republican,] [Insert Rep. John Olver (D-MA), ranking member of the House appropriations subcommittee, if your representative is a Democrat].

The provision was an overreaction to Internet specials that Amtrak – and many other modern companies including airlines – use to boost revenue. Unless repealed, this provision will harm Amtrak’s finances, not improve them.

Discounting fares in off-peak periods is good business and the market routinely calls for a bottom fare more than 50% below the top fare. Full trains at lower fares generate more revenue than empty trains at higher fares.

Amtrak isn’t using discounts to buy unprofitable business. Amtrak’s average per mile fare is 15% higher today than it was five years ago; airlines’ is 20% lower.

Amtrak utilizes modern revenue management techniques that establish a broad range of fare levels, setting fares at very high levels during peak times to get the most revenue from the seats available while setting much lower fares during periods of lower demand to encourage travel when seats would otherwise go empty.

Unless repealed, this law will force Amtrak to eliminate 40% of its off peak fares as well as to abrogate contracts with states that include, for example, carrying school children at steeply discounted group rates.

Deep discount Internet specials – which prompted this measure – represent less than 0.2% of all tickets sold. College students who have tight budgets but time to search the Internet are an important target of such marketing efforts, and this is a good way for Amtrak to establish relationships with the next generation of travelers.

Discounting fares is not only good business; it is also good public policy. Off peak discounts offer people of limited means and flexible schedules an opportunity to visit family and friends.

As your constituent, I urge you to work for repeal of this well intentioned but ill advised provision in the law.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER

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