Save Our Trains Michigan
Conductor
To Michigan NARP members, April 21, 2004--
It is now more important than ever to contact your Michigan House of
Representatives member and encourage him or her to work towards removing
the anti-Amtrak language in House Bill 267.
To recap for those new to this subject: Indian Trails has hired one of
the most powerful lobbying firms in the state and has succeeded in
placing language in House Bill 267 that would regulate the minimum fare
that Amtrak can charge on its two state-sponsored lines (Port
Huron-Lansing-Chicago and Grand Rapids-Chicago). If you want to see the
legislation, it is at
<http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billengrossed/se
nate/pdf/2003-SEBS-0267.pdf>. The bad part is section 805, near the
end.
This legislation sets a dangerous precedent for the relationship between
Amtrak and bus companies and could have nation-wide implications.
Contact your Michigan House of Representatives member immediately to
make your voice heard. You can go to the House's website
<http://house.michigan.gov> to find ways to make contact. As with
Washington, D.C., when communicating with your State Legislator, please
include your full postal mailing address to establish that you are a
constituent.
At the end of this message, you will find some talking points that may
be useful when communicating with your legislator.
--David Johnson
NARP Transportation Associate
#######
Background information:
Indian Trails argues that the new Blue Water will hurt their business
and may put their state-sponsored services to Northern Michigan in
jeopardy. These arguments are problematic for the following reasons:
1) Indian Trails does not serve the following cities on the two rail
routes: Port Huron, Lapeer, Durand, Dowagiac, Niles, Holland, and
Bangor. These citizens deserve access to affordable public
transportation.
2) The connection between any losses on the Chicago-Battle
Creek-Lansing-Flint service from Amtrak competition and elimination of
service to Northern Michigan is shaky at best:
-All losses on the services to Northern Michigan (roughly along
highways 131, and 23 north of Grand Rapids and Bay City, respectively)
are covered by the State in a manner similar to the State's contract
with Amtrak. In addition, Indian Trails benefits from fuel tax
exemptions and the ability to lease near-new, fully ADA compliant busses
from the State for $1,000 per year (well below market value).
-Indian Trails is claiming that the new Blue Water will drive
down their profits on their money-making Chicago-Battle
Creek-Lansing-Flint service, thus causing them to exit the scheduled bus
service business and thus eliminating service to Northern Michigan.
Michigan DOT, however, is ready and willing to select a new contract
operator for this service. Northern Michigan cities --will not-- lose
bus service as a result of a potential Indian Trails exit.
3) The former International schedule competed with two Indian Trails
trips ("runs" #24 and #25) and no evidence was presented of financial
burden. The new schedule shifts the competition to "runs" #17 and #26.
4) Indian Trails continues to cooperate with Amtrak and, in fact, has
expanded the thru-ticketing agreement between Flint, Lansing, and Battle
Creek to connect to/from more Detroit-Chicago trains. If Amtrak
presents such viable competition, why is this feeder service being
expanded?
It is now more important than ever to contact your Michigan House of
Representatives member and encourage him or her to work towards removing
the anti-Amtrak language in House Bill 267.
To recap for those new to this subject: Indian Trails has hired one of
the most powerful lobbying firms in the state and has succeeded in
placing language in House Bill 267 that would regulate the minimum fare
that Amtrak can charge on its two state-sponsored lines (Port
Huron-Lansing-Chicago and Grand Rapids-Chicago). If you want to see the
legislation, it is at
<http://www.michiganlegislature.org/documents/2003-2004/billengrossed/se
nate/pdf/2003-SEBS-0267.pdf>. The bad part is section 805, near the
end.
This legislation sets a dangerous precedent for the relationship between
Amtrak and bus companies and could have nation-wide implications.
Contact your Michigan House of Representatives member immediately to
make your voice heard. You can go to the House's website
<http://house.michigan.gov> to find ways to make contact. As with
Washington, D.C., when communicating with your State Legislator, please
include your full postal mailing address to establish that you are a
constituent.
At the end of this message, you will find some talking points that may
be useful when communicating with your legislator.
--David Johnson
NARP Transportation Associate
#######
Background information:
Indian Trails argues that the new Blue Water will hurt their business
and may put their state-sponsored services to Northern Michigan in
jeopardy. These arguments are problematic for the following reasons:
1) Indian Trails does not serve the following cities on the two rail
routes: Port Huron, Lapeer, Durand, Dowagiac, Niles, Holland, and
Bangor. These citizens deserve access to affordable public
transportation.
2) The connection between any losses on the Chicago-Battle
Creek-Lansing-Flint service from Amtrak competition and elimination of
service to Northern Michigan is shaky at best:
-All losses on the services to Northern Michigan (roughly along
highways 131, and 23 north of Grand Rapids and Bay City, respectively)
are covered by the State in a manner similar to the State's contract
with Amtrak. In addition, Indian Trails benefits from fuel tax
exemptions and the ability to lease near-new, fully ADA compliant busses
from the State for $1,000 per year (well below market value).
-Indian Trails is claiming that the new Blue Water will drive
down their profits on their money-making Chicago-Battle
Creek-Lansing-Flint service, thus causing them to exit the scheduled bus
service business and thus eliminating service to Northern Michigan.
Michigan DOT, however, is ready and willing to select a new contract
operator for this service. Northern Michigan cities --will not-- lose
bus service as a result of a potential Indian Trails exit.
3) The former International schedule competed with two Indian Trails
trips ("runs" #24 and #25) and no evidence was presented of financial
burden. The new schedule shifts the competition to "runs" #17 and #26.
4) Indian Trails continues to cooperate with Amtrak and, in fact, has
expanded the thru-ticketing agreement between Flint, Lansing, and Battle
Creek to connect to/from more Detroit-Chicago trains. If Amtrak
presents such viable competition, why is this feeder service being
expanded?
