Michigan SB-0281, As Passed Senate, June 15, 2005

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

Sec. 711. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1 from the

comprehensive transportation fund for rail passenger service, the

department shall negotiate with a rail carrier to provide rail

service between Grand Rapids and Chicago and between Port Huron and

Chicago on a 7-day basis, consistent with the other provisions of

this section.

(2) Any state subsidy for rail passenger service between Grand

Rapids and Chicago and between Port Huron and Chicago shall be

limited to the direct operating costs of rail passenger service

between Grand Rapids and Chicago and between Port Huron and

Chicago. Direct operating costs shall include the costs that are

needed to provide staffing for passenger service kiosks at Port

Huron, Flint, and East Lansing stations. Any state funding provided

under this section shall not exceed $6,100,000.00.

(3) The rail carrier shall, as a condition to receiving a

state operating subsidy, establish a system to monitor, collect,

and resolve customer complaints and shall make the information

available to the department, the house and senate appropriations

subcommittees on transportation, and the house and senate fiscal

agencies.

(4) The department shall submit a report to both the house and

senate appropriations committees and the house and senate fiscal

agencies by January 1, 2006 that provides a 5-year history on

services, ridership, and subsidies.

(5) Future state support for the service between Grand Rapids

and Chicago and Port Huron and Chicago is dependent on the

department's ability to provide a plan and a contract for services

that increase ridership and revenue, reduce operating costs, and

improve on-time performance. The department shall include a section

in the report required in subsection (4) detailing efforts to

reduce the dependence on state operating subsidies and projected

operating expenses for the next 2 years, and recommending service

alternatives, for the Grand Rapids to Chicago service and the Port

Huron to Chicago service.

(6) No state subsidy shall be provided from the funds

appropriated in part 1 if the chosen rail carrier is Amtrak and

Amtrak discontinued service or any portion of the service between

Port Huron and Chicago or Grand Rapids and Chicago during the

preceding fiscal year, unless the discontinuance of service was for

track maintenance or was caused by acts of God.SB 0281 passed on June 15 2005

 

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

Sec. 711. (1) From the funds appropriated in part 1 from the



(2) Any state subsidy for rail passenger service between Grand

Rapids and Chicago and between Port Huron and Chicago shall be

limited to the direct operating costs of rail passenger service

between Grand Rapids and Chicago and between Port Huron and

Chicago. Direct operating costs shall include the costs that are

needed to provide staffing for passenger service kiosks at Port

Huron, Flint, and East Lansing stations. Any state funding provided

under this section shall not exceed $6,100,000.00.

This could be the end of the line for the Blue water and Pere Marquette trains if we don't get involved and stop the Senate and House in passing this any farther then it has gone Amtrak needs $7.1 millon to run not $6.1 millon this is a shut down for these 2 trains.

 

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

Michigan S-Bill passed to kill Amtrak

FY 2005-06 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET S.B. 281 (S-2): SENATE-PASSED

Senate Bill 281 (S-2 as passed by the Senate)

Committee: Appropriations

FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation $3,274,189,100

Changes from FY 2004-05 Year-to-Date:

14. Amtrak Subsidy. The Senate reduces the subsidy from $7.1 million to $6.1 million. (1,000,000)