Washington ? Amtrak and Bush administration officials closed a deal late Friday to help Amtrak get the $200 million it needs to keep passenger trains running through September.

The deal helps Amtrak avert the first systemwide shutdown in its 31- year history, which had been threatened to begin next week.

The Transportation Department will give Amtrak an immediate $100 million loan, then will join with Amtrak in asking Congress to provide the remainder.

“Our goal was to ensure uninterrupted service for the over 750,000 Americans who rely on Amtrak and our nation’s commuter rail service every day, and we have accomplished that goal,” Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said at a news conference announcing the deal.

The announcement culminated a week of shuttle diplomacy among Amtrak leaders, Bush administration officials and members of Congress.

The final negotiations hinged on what conditions the administration would place on its $100 million loan. Amtrak agreed to 12, many involving improved financial accountability.

“A lot of this is stuff that should be done,” said Amtrak President David Gunn.

The conditions require Amtrak to spend all its money during the next 15 months on existing assets and services, not to plan for expansion of service. Amtrak must identify $100 million in potential budget cuts by the end of August.

Also, Amtrak must freeze all management salaries and suspend any annual bonuses for this year for employees with salaries over $75,000.