Last chance to save the Blue water and Pere Marque

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

We need all people in Michigan to raise enough hell with there legislatures in Michigan to get a supplemental Bill drawn up to put the $1 million back into the Amtrak budget we have to do this ASAP keep calling Governor Granholm and all your elected officials.

Governor Granholm's Offices

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm

P.O. Box 30013

Lansing, Michigan 48909

PHONE (517) 373-3400

FAX (517) 335-6863

SE Michigan Office

3022 W. Grand Blvd.

Cadillac Place, Suite 14-150

Detroit, MI 48202

(313) 456-0010 Northern Michigan Office

1504 West Washington, Suite B

Marquette, MI 49855

(906) 228-2850 Washington D.C. Office

444 N. Capitol Street, Northwest

Hall of the States, Suite 411

Washington, D.C. 20001

(202) 624-5840

Legislature contact page

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.asp?pa...e=SponsorSearch

Michigan Senate contact page

http://www.senate.michigan.gov/SenatorInfo...our-senator.htm

 

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

Here is the person behind the senate that got all the senators to VOTE down from $7.1million to $6.1 million. She is for Indian Trails and Greyhound and ANTI AMTRAK.

Shirley Johnson

Republican of District 13

Office Phone: (517) 373-2523

Office Location: S-324 Capitol

E-mail Address: [email protected]

 

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

From Mike Whims, MARP Chairman:

Friday, September 30, 2005

Governor Granholm signed into law the FY 2006 budget act (P.A. 158)

which authorizes $6.1 million for operation of the Blue Water and

Pere Marquette trains for the budget year. The act requires that both

trains run on a 7-day per week schedule and serve all cities along

their routes. The act also provides for penalties if Amtrak chooses

to eliminate any of the service prior to the end of the budget year

(September 30, 2006).

The act also requires MDOT to work toward finding ways to reduce

expenses of operating the trains. This could mean a number of

things, such as station staffing, food service, and other operational

costs.

There is a provision for increasing the funding level to $7.1 million

if Amtrak signs an agreement to move its Beech Grove, Indiana

equipment repair and maintenance operation to Battle Creek. Amtrak

has already indicated that this is unlikely to occur.

The act is silent regarding fares. Amtrak could conceivably raise its

fares to make up for the shortfall in state support. Amtrak has

already announced a nationwide fare increase to offset rising fuel

expenses.

MARP wishes to thank its members who communicated their support of

Michigan passenger rail service to community leaders and state

officials. MARP will continue to work with MDOT and state officials

toward reinstating the $7.1 million funding level during the budget

year. It is important to let people know that both trains are still

running.

 

[AmtrakFan]

Looks like the train will stay hopefully.