Save Our Trains Michigan
Conductor
RALLY PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE AMTRAK SUBSIDY
Passenger rail supporters in the state plan to hold a rally Saturday
at the Amtrak station in East Lansing to urge support for the state
to add $1 million in subsidies for the train system, warning that if
the state does not, service from Port Huron and Grand Rapids to
Chicago could end in August.
Officials with the Save Our Trains Michigan could not be reached for
comment on how many people they anticipated for the rally beginning
at 7:30 a.m., approximately 30 minutes before the Blue Water Limited -
which runs from Port Huron to Chicago - is due to arrive.
But in promotional materials the organization has distributed, the
organization warns that the Blue Water and Pere Marquette trains
(which travel from Grand Rapids to Chicago) could be closed on August
10 if the state does not add $1 million in subsidy to the $6.1
million included in the 2005-06 budget.
Unaffected would be the Wolverine Limited, which runs from Pontiac to
Chicago.
The state provided $6.1 million in subsidies to Amtrak for the two
lines in the 2005-06 budget, $1 million less than what Amtrak had
received before. However, the state also said if Amtrak moved a
repair facility from Beech Grove, Indiana, to Battle Creek it would
restore the $1 million. According to the Michigan Association of
Rail Passengers, Amtrak is indicating it is unlikely to move the
facility.
The organization also encourages supporters to contact Sen. Shirley
Johnson (R-Troy), one of the chief critics of Amtrak. But Brian
O'Connell, her chief of staff, said so far the office has heard from
one person complaining about the reduction in the subsidy.
The state had to make cuts in comprehensive transportation funding,
Mr. O'Connell said because revenues were down by some $5 million.
The state has a number of local bus systems struggling and the
options were to cut those or the Amtrak subsidy, he said.
Plus, studies by the Department of Transportation indicates that the
majority of Amtrak passengers can afford other modes of
transportation and typically take the train to Chicago for shopping
expeditions, Mr. O'Connell said.
Passenger rail supporters in the state plan to hold a rally Saturday
at the Amtrak station in East Lansing to urge support for the state
to add $1 million in subsidies for the train system, warning that if
the state does not, service from Port Huron and Grand Rapids to
Chicago could end in August.
Officials with the Save Our Trains Michigan could not be reached for
comment on how many people they anticipated for the rally beginning
at 7:30 a.m., approximately 30 minutes before the Blue Water Limited -
which runs from Port Huron to Chicago - is due to arrive.
But in promotional materials the organization has distributed, the
organization warns that the Blue Water and Pere Marquette trains
(which travel from Grand Rapids to Chicago) could be closed on August
10 if the state does not add $1 million in subsidy to the $6.1
million included in the 2005-06 budget.
Unaffected would be the Wolverine Limited, which runs from Pontiac to
Chicago.
The state provided $6.1 million in subsidies to Amtrak for the two
lines in the 2005-06 budget, $1 million less than what Amtrak had
received before. However, the state also said if Amtrak moved a
repair facility from Beech Grove, Indiana, to Battle Creek it would
restore the $1 million. According to the Michigan Association of
Rail Passengers, Amtrak is indicating it is unlikely to move the
facility.
The organization also encourages supporters to contact Sen. Shirley
Johnson (R-Troy), one of the chief critics of Amtrak. But Brian
O'Connell, her chief of staff, said so far the office has heard from
one person complaining about the reduction in the subsidy.
The state had to make cuts in comprehensive transportation funding,
Mr. O'Connell said because revenues were down by some $5 million.
The state has a number of local bus systems struggling and the
options were to cut those or the Amtrak subsidy, he said.
Plus, studies by the Department of Transportation indicates that the
majority of Amtrak passengers can afford other modes of
transportation and typically take the train to Chicago for shopping
expeditions, Mr. O'Connell said.
