MOKSRail Testifies at State Legislative Amtrak Hearing

MOKSRail member Jim Schmitt from Liberty, Mo., volunteered his time to travel to Warrensburg, Mo., Sept. 8 to testify before a legislative committee on the future of Missouri’s Amtrak service.

The Joint Interim Committee on State Supported Passenger Rail Service and Multimodal Transportation was created to, among other things, study some of the challenges facing Amtrak.  The nonpartisan committee is made up of five state senators and five state representatives.

Some recommendations in a committee report due in January shall include how to establish public/private partnerships with railroads to complete infrastructure improvements that will reduce track congestion, improve on-time performance of trains and reduce dependence on state continued 

general revenue support by increasing efficiencies, exploring dedicated funding sources and establishing local community support requirements. 

MOKSRail testified it supports initiatives to improve rail transport infrastructure. Improvements made to privately owned rail freight lines will benefit passenger operations by reducing freight train congestion that cause frequent delays of Amtrak trains.  Infrastructure improvements can also benefit the state by allowing railroads to carry more freight that would have normally gone over the highways.

While MOKSRail members also support increasing efficiencies, the goal should not be to reduce state operating subsidies. MOKSRail pointed out that reducing funding goes against the national trend that's seeing state governments such as Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin increasing their investments in passenger rail and providing citizens alternative transportation forms.

North Carolina has made substantial investments in its passenger service, investing $120 million in station renovation and shortening travel times between Raleigh and Charlotte through a $26 million track improvement program.

Oregon, over the past four years, has invested $15 million in capital improvements to add crossovers, extend double tracking and other infrastructure improvements to make the trains run on-time.

Since Oregon deals with the Union Pacific Railroad, the state is a good example for Missouri to follow. Oregon has a good working relationship with the U.P.  Amtrak, the U.P, and the state of Oregon are all partners who sat down at table and worked together, according to NARP.

The U.P. provided  the state a list of improvements that were needed and the state made other targeted investments to improve the operation and reliability of the trains it runs between Eugene and Portland.

Just as those states invest in highway and airport construction, the states see positives in providing a balanced transportation system. Missouri should invest more in its Amtrak service. Current service should not only be improved, but additional service to other areas of the state such as Springfield should be considered.

Partnerships should be made with other states, such as Illinois, which has been making improvements to the track between Chicago and St. Louis, allowing for higher speed service.

Schmitt said the event was well attended. He said discussion of private ownership made the Union Pacific people jump.  Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, had some professors their and their students who frequently ride the train to and from Kansas City and St. Louis.

Lawmakers look at the number of passengers and cost per each and how much the state must add to the ticket, Schmitt said. An Amtrak representative said it is strange to come back each year for funding.

"I came away with the feeling that these people really don't know how to create new money for passenger trains, “Schmitt said. “Instead of looking at the budget and what can be taken out, they continue business as usual.  The charts will show zero advertising dollars the past few years and what can you expect if no money is spent.”

NEW NARP FLYER

The National Association of Rail Passengers has created a new version flyer for members to copy and distribute in stations, on board trains or at other appropriate venues.  Click on "Action Alert" at http://www.narprail.org. NARP returned to the eye-catching "four maps" format. The flyer tells the tale of the precipitously low funding of the U.S. passenger rail system in very stark terms.

Lawrence Lobbies To Keep Amtrak

City appeals to Congress to increase funding to encourage rail travel

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- City officials are lobbying the Kansas congressional delegation to support funding for Amtrak, saying the passenger railroad is a vital link in the city's transportation system.

"Not everybody has a car," said mayor Mike Rundle in a July 20 Lawrence Journal-World story. He said there needs to be a complete transportation system.

Rundle's letter to the state’s representatives in Washington came a week after a House subcommittee recommended a $900 million budget for Amtrak in 2005 - a $300 million cut from this year and half of what the railroad requested.

Amtrak's death would hurt the more than 2,200 riders who road the Southwest Chief at Lawrence in 2003. More than 25,000 Kansans rode Amtrak in 2003. In his letter, Rundle said the city supported Amtrak's request for $1.8 billion.

"Providing transportation alternatives such as Amtrak to the Lawrence community is important," he said in the letter. "Rail transportation provides intercity travel opportunities for Lawrence citizens that can prove affordable and pleasurable and provides an opportunity to take advantage of the scenery."

An Amtrak spokesman said half of Amtrak's request would go for long-deferred maintenance and overhauls of aging equipment. Amtrak frequently doesn’t have enough cars in a state of good repair to serve the customers who want to ride now, he said.

The article reported how Republican Sen. Sam Brownback said Amtrak must be reformed to become a viable company. Sen. Pat Roberts hadn't staked out a position on the issue.