Jump to content


Photo

IL Governor wants to cut Amtrak service


  • Please log in to reply
16 replies to this topic

#11 KevinKorell

KevinKorell

    Board Leader

  • Sr. Admin
  • PipPip
  • 82319 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Lakewood, NJ
  • Interests:Making America TRAIN again!

Posted 02 July 2015 - 01:01 AM

Shelbyville, IL Daily Union, 6/29/15:

 


Cuts to devastate Amtrak service in Illinois

 

Governor Rauner has announced a 40% reduction in Amtrak funding to begin July 1. If implemented, at least half of Illinois-funded downstate trains will be discontinued, starting a dangerous downward spiral. Ridership will decline more quickly than costs, forcing ticket prices higher and driving away even more passengers.

 

Budget cuts to Amtrak are counterproductive, and will not improve the state’s fiscal situation. A more productive option would be for Governor Rauner and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to focus on reducing costs by taking tangible steps to increase revenue.

More here.



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ


#12 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 03 July 2015 - 03:34 PM

The News-Gazette, Champaign, IL, 7/3:
 

Amtrak maintaining service for now

 

SPRINGFIELD — Although the Rauner administration announced a week ago that the state would cut its support to Amtrak by 40 percent on July 1, all of the passenger trains are still running in Illinois.

 

And the status quo will be maintained, at least for several weeks.

 

Continue here.



#13 amtrakwolverine

amtrakwolverine

    Member

  • Membres
  • PipPip
  • 334 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Warren,MI
  • Interests:Riding trains, railfaining, small engines, guitars

Posted 03 July 2015 - 03:51 PM

I'm not answering a survey to view a article.



#14 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 03 July 2015 - 10:22 PM

Try again.  I clicked on the link several times; directed to the article all but 1 time when I was directed to the survey.

 

Ross



#15 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 10 July 2015 - 05:42 AM

The Southern Illinoisian, Carbondale, IL 7/8:

 
Guest View: Amtrak is vital to downstate economy

Tom Carper

 

I serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors, and as mayor of Macomb from 1991 to 2003, worked with local, regional and state leaders to preserve Amtrak services. Most importantly, I live in West Central Illinois where Amtrak is essential to our economy.

 

Downstate Illinois communities could lose nearly half of their Amtrak service if the present budget impasse continues in Springfield. It’s both ironic and unnecessary that a decade of progress would be surrendered so quietly.

 

SNIP

 

The state dollars that fund Illinois Amtrak are separate from those that fund education, pensions and other state services. We will lose so much if communities and citizens are silent.

 

Contact your State Representative, State Senator and Gov. Rauner and let them know that Amtrak service is important to you and your community and the State of Illinois.

 

Read more here



#16 Sloan

Sloan

    Member

  • Global Moderator
  • PipPip
  • 12851 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Harrisburg, PA
  • Interests:Light Rail & Commuter Rail<br>Passenger Rail Stations

Posted 04 August 2015 - 08:40 AM

 

 

Amtrak Supporters Push to Preserve State Subsidies

 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (IRN) – People who want to preserve state subsidies for Amtrak want Gov. Bruce Rauner to know they have not gone away.

http://stlouis.cbslo...tate-subsidies/

 

Every state, IMO, has money squirreled away either in cash or fixed assets.  In case of the latter, states ought to sell surplus buildings/real estate to supplement fiscal budgets.

 

Sloan



#17 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 06 February 2016 - 09:12 AM

The State Journal Register, Springfield, IL 2/5:
 

IDOT, Amtrak reach agreement to maintain train service

 

Amtrak service in Illinois -- including Lincoln Service trains through Springfield -- will remain at existing levels through an agreement announced Friday by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

 

The agreement extends the current schedule through June 30, the end of the state fiscal year.

 

"This agreement preserves the service that riders have come to expect, while saving taxpayers money and avoiding fare increases for our downstate routes," IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said in the announcement.

 

Continue here.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users