Save Our Trains Michigan
Conductor
The Kalamazoo City Commission is asking the state not to cut funding
to Amtrak.
Commissioners passed a resolution Monday urging the Legislature and
Gov. Jennifer Granholm to continue Amtrak's annual subsidy at $7.1
million. The struggling passenger rail service is threatened by
potential cuts from both the federal and state governments.
Ridership on Amtrak's three Michigan lines, including two that go
through Kalamazoo, increased more than 10 percent last year to nearly
550,000 passengers, the resolution notes.
"It would be harmful to the communities served (by Amtrak) if the
Michigan Legislature were to end their support for an increasingly
popular, cost-effective and energy-efficient rail service that
contributes substantially to Michigan's economy and businesses at a
time when both are under stress," it says.
Story
to Amtrak.
Commissioners passed a resolution Monday urging the Legislature and
Gov. Jennifer Granholm to continue Amtrak's annual subsidy at $7.1
million. The struggling passenger rail service is threatened by
potential cuts from both the federal and state governments.
Ridership on Amtrak's three Michigan lines, including two that go
through Kalamazoo, increased more than 10 percent last year to nearly
550,000 passengers, the resolution notes.
"It would be harmful to the communities served (by Amtrak) if the
Michigan Legislature were to end their support for an increasingly
popular, cost-effective and energy-efficient rail service that
contributes substantially to Michigan's economy and businesses at a
time when both are under stress," it says.
Story
