By: RAJU CHEBIUM
COURIER POST

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Bush is expected to sign a passenger rail bill Congress approved by overwhelming margins." Given the improvements for rail safety, the president is expected to sign the bill," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel told Gannett News Service on Thursday.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., told reporters Thursday the $13 billion, five-year bill marks a "transformation" in passenger rail and train safety in the U.S. The bill also beefs up rail safety following a fatal crash between a freight train and a commuter train in California last month.

Lautenberg touted the benefits to Amtrak and the Northeast Corridor.

Bush has criticized Amtrak as bloated and inept, and once tried to shut it down. He has said Amtrak needs serious reforms and must wean itself off public subsidies.

Stanzel said Amtrak needs economic and management reforms, and must improve operations in the Northeast Corridor.

The Senate approved a rail bill by a veto-proof majority of 74-24 late Wednesday. The House approved it last week without a roll call.