Mr. Gunn met with representatives from AAPRCO yesterday regarding the recent Private Car - Rearmost Surcharge that went into effect on April 1st. Jack Heard, David Hoffman and Diane Elliott participated on behalf of AAPRCO and also present for Amtrak at the meeting, were Joe McHugh – Vice President of Government Affairs and myself.

As a result of this meeting, the rearmost surcharge has been rescinded immediately. However, a new Private Car Activation Fee was implemented that will go into effect and is retroactive to the start of Amtrak’s fiscal year which began on October 1, 2004. (Amtrak’s fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th)

The Private Car Activation Fee is an annual charge that is $4,000 per car, per year and is due prior to making your first move after your annual PC-1 inspection is completed. If your PC-1 was completed after October 1, 2004 to the present, this fee is due prior to your next trip.

Any car owner that paid the rearmost surcharge fees that were in effect, will be credited that amount toward this year’s activation fee. If the surcharge exceeded the activation fee, the owner will receive a credit toward a future trip or be refunded their money.

A private car that does not operate on Amtrak during a given fiscal year will be exempt from the $4,000 charge for that fiscal year.