An Analysis of Amtrak's Five Year Plan
PAD-78-51: Published: Mar 6, 1978. Publicly Released: Mar 6, 1978.
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Although the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK) was established to be a self-sustaining corporation, the 1977 5-year plan indicated that the Federal Government is now paying for AMTRAK's capital expenses and about 60 percent of its operating expenses. AMTRAK's 5-year plan was reviewed from two perspectives: the insight it provides into decisions that Congress must make in deciding how to fund AMTRAK in coming years; and its adequacy as an information source for congressional decisionmaking.
In some respects, the 1977 plan is an improvement over past plans. However, the plan should have certain basic characteristics: it should compare actual experience with previous forecasts and should describe changes from the previous year, basic parts of the plan should be integrated with each other, and the plan should discuss alternatives or options if requested funding is not provided or if projections are wrong. AMTRAK's current plan cannot be reconciled to prior plans; the revenues, expenses, and capital sections of the plan are not integrated; and the plan does not discuss options available if funding is not provided or projections are wrong. Alternative uses of the 5-year plan involve determining the amount of the Federal subsidy and evaluating AMTRAK performance.
Jan 7, 2021
Aircraft Noise:
Better Information Sharing Could Improve Responses to Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise ConcernsGAO-21-200: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Automated Technologies:
DOT Should Take Steps to Ensure Its Workforce Has Skills Needed to Oversee SafetyGAO-21-197: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
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Emergency Responder Safety:
States and DOT Are Implementing Actions to Reduce Roadside CrashesGAO-21-166: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Nov 24, 2020
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Reagan National Airport:
Information on Effects of Federal Statute Limiting Long-Distance FlightsGAO-21-176: Published: Nov 24, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 24, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Federal-Aid Highways:
States and Local Governments Reported Benefits to Federal Highway Fund Swapping, but Impacts Cannot be Definitively DeterminedGAO-21-88: Published: Oct 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 16, 2020
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Aviation Certification:
FAA Needs to Strengthen Its Design Review Process for Small AirplanesGAO-21-85: Published: Nov 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 16, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Aviation Safety:
FAA's Office of Aviation Safety Should Take Additional Actions to Ensure Its Workforce Has Needed SkillsGAO-21-94: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 29, 2020
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Puerto Rico:
Perspectives on the Potential to Expand Air Cargo OperationsGAO-21-21: Published: Oct 29, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 29, 2020.
Sep 30, 2020
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Supplemental Material For GAO-20-686:
Transit Asset Management: Survey of TAM Program ParticipantsGAO-20-687SP: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020. -
Transit Asset Management:
FTA Should Clarify Performance Data and Develop a Plan to Guide Future Program ImprovementsGAO-20-686: Published: Sep 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 30, 2020.
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