WASHINGTON -- The transportation secretary says a solution to Amtrak's financial bind "is very, very close."

Norman Mineta told a luncheon audience Tuesday that the problem could be solved by Wednesday, but he didn't say exactly how.

"No one wants to see Amtrak die," he said.

AMTRAK FACTS Routes cover 22,000 miles Started service on May 1, 1971 More than 22,000 employees 500 stations in 46 states Owns 730 route miles of track 23.4 million riders in 2002 Amtrak Web site

Amtrak says it will have to shut down without an infusion of $200 million. Senate Democrats urged President George W. Bush to include help for Amtrak in a new spending bill.

Seventeen of them sent Bush a letter asking that he include $205 million for Amtrak in the supplemental spending bill.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said the troubled passenger rail system needs resources "as quickly as possible."

Amtrak officials had threatened to shut down the railroad Wednesday for the first time in its history.

Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta is meeting Tuesday with representatives of transportation unions about the Bush administration's proposals for keeping Amtrak running.

Mineta said Monday that he's confident a shutdown can be avoided.

Amtrak officials said Mineta's pledge will delay the shutdown but not prevent it.

Previous Stories:

• June 25, 2002: Amtrak Commuters Left In Limbo
• June 24, 2002: Senator Says Bush Won't Let Amtrak Shut Down
• June 21, 2002: Amtrak Service Cuts Could Hurt Commuters
• June 20, 2002: Changes Could End Amtrak Monopoly
• June 10, 2002: Amtrak Job Cuts Coming Down The Track

Copyright 2002 by ClickOnDetroit.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.