Amtrak, suddenly popular, has more studies than it can handle
July 24th, 2009 at 02:14pm Thomas V. Bona
Iowa folks may have to wait a bit on a study of extending Amtrak service to Des Moines, according to an Associated Press report today. The story is somewhat confusing, so let me break down all the Illinois-Iowa studie:
- Amtrak has done its study of service from Chicago through Rockford to Dubuque, Iowa, so it’s not affected by this. Service could start by November 2011 if funded by the federal stimulus and state officials.
- Amtrak also completed a study of service from Chicago to the Quad Cities, which would also be funded by the stimulus and the state and start in the next couple of years.
- Amtrak also added a study of extending the Quad Cities line to Iowa City.
- But on top of that, Iowa officials also want a study of continuing the Quad Cities route to Des Moines. It’s the study of the portion between Iowa City and Des Moines that’s being delayed. Also, officials eventually want Amtrak service to continue on that line to Omaha, Neb.
- Finally, Iowa officials want Amtrak to also study extending the Dubuque route farther west into Iowa. So some day, who knows how far west we could go from Rockford?
This is good news for Amtrak. Between the federal stimulus and other pro-train comments from the Obama administration, Amtrak could be expanding a lot in the coming years. Like any expanding entity though, there will be a lag. Hopefully for train advocates, the momentum continues.
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2 Comments Add your own
1. Arthur | July 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
bring the trains back!!!
2. David | July 26th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Several individuals have brought up that Amtrak once tried the Rockford-Chicago service, but it failed. Let me remind you that was 25 years ago. The spread of the Chicacgo expansion had not reached our area, I-90 wasn\’t as nearly congested as it is now, and more than anything the schedule of the train itself was probably it\’s biggest undoing. The train departed Rockford, on weekdays, at 8:20 a.m. and arrived in Chicago at 10:10 a.m. For someone wanting to conduct business that was too late. Unfortunately, Dubuque and ther State of Iowa (who didn\’t pay towards the operation of the train) dictated the schedule. Further, th train recieved very low priority from Amtrak and a result was plaqued with poor equipment and numerous delays and suspensions of service. Today the scenario is much different. The Caver\’s that oppose the service are the same ones that oppose anything that is new or different. There will be no direct tax increase neccesary to operate this service. It is subsidized by IDOT and wouldn\’t it be nice to get some of our State tax dollars coming back to our area. If you don\’t like the service, don\’t use it, but don\’t destroy an oppurtunity for the rest of us.
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