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8/2/15: Hoosier State now Amtrak / Iowa Pacific


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 30 January 2015 - 04:23 PM

InsideIndianaBusiness.com, 1/30:
 

INDOT, Amtrak Agree to Extend Hoosier State Contract

 

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced an agreement with Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State Line through April 1. The previous extension was set to run out Saturday. The state says the additional time will allow the parties to continue long-term contract talks. A bill that would set aside $3 million annually for Amtrak to provide inter-city passenger rail service "on a rail route of less than 750 miles" has been referred to the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee.

 

You can view HB 1217 by clicking here.

 

Continue here.

 

Amtrak news release.



#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 12 February 2015 - 02:43 AM

WISH-TV, Channel 8 in Indianapolis, IN, 2/7/15:


Indiana lone holdout in long-term deal for Amtrak lines

 

The hum of incandescent lights fills downtown Indianapolis’ sleepy Amtrak waiting room when the intercom crackles on at 5:30 a.m., stirring bleary-eyed travelers with the news that they’ll soon be boarding the Hoosier State line, bound for Chicago.

 

But what lies ahead isn’t a swift 196-mile journey between the cities. It’s a more than five-hour trek — some two hours longer than the trip would take by car. And that journey can drag on significantly longer when bottlenecks seize up the Chicago area’s ribbons of freight rail lines.

 

Article



Kevin Korell


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#3 amtrakwolverine

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Posted 06 March 2015 - 01:44 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (WLFI) — The Indiana Department of Transportation announced Friday that the Hoosier State passenger rail line will end on April 1.

 

 

http://wlfi.com/2015...to-end-april-1/



#4 KevinKorell

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Posted 06 March 2015 - 02:03 PM

Hard to see a train-off but I suppose all avenues were explored before this decision was reached.  Indianapolis becomes another major city that will suffer from only thrice-weekly service.  I take it that 180-day train-off notices were not required because the Cardinal still exists.



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#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 March 2015 - 07:50 PM

Under new FRA rules, being tested in Indiana, all states that support passenger rail services would be considered railroad carriers. INDOT officials said this burdensome interpretation exposes states to significant increases in cost, paperwork and liability — such as up to $200 million for each occurrence of injury, death or property damage.

 

This is the first I've heard of this FRA rule.  Does anybody know where this requirement came from?

 

This is very onerous; could jeopardize a lot of other state supported Amtrak routes!

 

Ross



#6 KevinKorell

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Posted 06 March 2015 - 11:41 PM

Indianapolis, IN Star, 3/6/15:


State to end Amtrak's Hoosier State line

 

The financially troubled and passenger-starved Amtrak Hoosier State line is being shut down.

The Indiana Department of Transportation said it failed to reach an agreement with Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings that would keep the train running. The last day for the Hoosier State line will be April 1.

 

 

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#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 07 March 2015 - 10:56 AM

Amtrak news release, 3/6:

 

AMTRAK STATEMENT FROM
PRESIDENT AND CEO JOSEPH BOARDMAN

 

WASHINGTON -- The following statement is issued today by Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman regarding an announcement made this afternoon by the Indiana Department of Transportation:

 

“Daily Amtrak service to Indianapolis does not have to end in April. Amtrak has offered to continue to operate the train on a month-to-month basis.

 

“Amtrak is ready, willing and able to continue to provide safe and reliable service using one of the proven models we’ve used in other states.

 

“We have shown how the quality of the passenger experience can be improved by demonstrating modern Wi-Fi and business class seating. We have the expertise in working with the host railroads and have repeatedly offered to be the state’s and the communities’ partner in advancing plans to improve the travel time and the reliability of the service.

 

“Experience has proven that losing the foundation that daily service to central Indiana now provides will make it much more difficult and expensive to create a true intercity passenger corridor in the future. Amtrak made it clear in a recent meeting in Washington with Lafayette-area officials that ways to improve this service are within the state’s reach, with Amtrak as a proven partner.”

 

# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2015
ATK-15-018
Contact: Marc Magliari
312 544.5390
MediaRelationsChicago@Amtrak.com



#8 KevinKorell

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Posted 07 March 2015 - 12:15 PM

Are the Hoosier State trains really "passenger starved" ??  If so, then why was the short-lived package of amenities offered only as a "demonstration project" and then taken away this past February?  The other short distance trains out of Chicago offer business class, Wifi, and other luxuries, so why not the Hoosier State on a regular basis?

 

Of  course if the Cardinal were a daily train, this discussion would not be happening now since the Chicago-Indianapolis corridor would be served by a long distance train.



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#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 09 March 2015 - 06:22 AM

Lafayette (IN) Journal & Courier, 3/8:

 
So, like, when does the train run, exactly?
 
 
B9316521766Z.1_20150308153418_000_GNNA5H

(Photo: Michael Heinz/Journal & Courier)

 

Greater Lafayette's passenger rail service will be significantly reduced after April 1 if Indiana can't resolve its regulatory dispute with the Federal Railroad Administration.

 

Here are answers to basic questions about the service between Indianapolis and Chicago, how it's operated and why it's in danger of being cut back.

 

What is the current train service between Indianapolis, Lafayette and Chicago?

 

Continue here.



#10 KevinKorell

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Posted 09 March 2015 - 08:49 AM

While Amtrak is not the only player here in the failure to find a solution to keep the train running, I can foresee that round sign that Boardman is holding being vandalized by someone, with the word "served" being replaced by an expletive that cannot be said here.



Kevin Korell


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