Although Mr. Young declined to confirm that the city should expect bus service between Augusta and an Amtrak rail station in another city, he has said as recently as November that such a deal was near and it could be in operation as early as January.

"Whatever happens - if anything happens - this is part of a process," Mr. Young said. "It's just another step in our process to have passenger rail service in this city."

The mayor has planned an event for Jan. 14, which state rail officials and representatives from Amtrak and Greyhound are scheduled to attend. A formal announcement regarding their visit is expected Monday.

Amtrak officials confirmed Friday that talks were ongoing.

"We're still working out some final details," said Kevin Johnson, the media relations manager for Amtrak.

"Logistics, like how the trip's going to work, how we're going to roll out the presentation," are still being considered, he said.

Mr. Young did say Friday morning that he had consulted with Amtrak officials as recently as Thursday regarding "the transportation needs of the people of Augusta."

Currently, Greyhound buses offer Thruway service - or connecting bus service - to more than 85 cities nationwide.

Augusta officials began efforts to lure both regular and future high-speed Amtrak service to the city last spring with a trip to Washington, where commissioners, Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce President Jim West and Mr. Young met with Amtrak representatives.

On the Net:

For more information about Amtrak, visit the company's Web site at www.amtrak.com. Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215.