Many Boston University students count on Amtrak to get to their homes in the Northeast and back to school, but they may not have that option for much longer. President George W. Bush’s fiscal 2005 budget may deprive the struggling rail company of the money it needs to keep operating next year, Amtrak officials say. Both sides must come together to find a way to keep it going.

In Bush’s new budget, Amtrak will receive half the funding it requested for the year, which would force it to shut the railroad down, Amtrak President David Gunn told the The Associated Press Tuesday. Amtrak requested $1.8 billion to maintain business and make repairs, Bush has offered $900 million and asked state governments to help front the rest of the bill.

Railroads are a historic piece of the modern United States. But Bush must either decide to make a full-fledged investment or toss them aside. As Europe’s highly efficient cross-continental railroad system shows, train transportation can still be well run and profitable, but it will take time and money to make the United States’ system comparable.

Indeed, the railroad itself must also make some adjustments, as it has over the last two years, in order to stay afloat. Only certain areas of the country use railroads enough to make trains profitable, and company officials should think long and hard about cutting service to those that do not. It is very expensive to operate a railroad system, something to which the company’s expensive ticket prices attest. But if the company wants to remain in business – and in the favor of the federal government and American public – it must keep improving its business practices and lowering ticket prices in order to draw customers. It’s absurd that train rides are often more expensive than plane rides, though they often take hours longer.

Still, Bush should give the company credit where it is due. After a near-fiasco two years ago, when company officials said Amtrak would shut down without a government loan, the company has made great strides. It has cut more than 2,000 jobs since 2002 and finished 2003 with a $148 million surplus.

There is no cut and dry solution to Amtrak’s troubles, but something must be done before the railroad company goes under completely. One place Bush could look for some extra cash is in the $1.5 billion he announced that he plans to spend on marriage programs – he should put the money where it is needed most.

Bush and Amtrak officials must find the middle ground in order to salvage the company. Bush should offer more funding and Amtrak must make more improvements. Shutting down underused lines will eventually pave the way for a more stable Amtrak. Ticket prices must be lowered and changes must be made. But Gunn says Bush’s proposed budget basically cuts Amtrak off, and both parties must do something to save it.