Spring Break
Local leaders still supporting Amtrak
Jennifer Davis
Issue date: 6/23/05 Section: News
Federal funding has threatened to shut down Amtrak all around the country, including the regional line in Macomb. Local leaders have continued to rally in support of Amtrak to keep it running for Western Illinois University students and surrounding communities.
Western's President Al Goldfarb said in a press release to the university that students and administrators use Amtrak for trips to Chicago.
"Western faculty and staff use Amtrak as cost-effective transportation to attend educational conferences and meetings, conduct university-related business in Chicago or to travel to Midway or O'Hare airports," Goldfarb said. "During the most recent university budget year, more than 1,100 university trips were taken along the Amtrak corridor. Without Amtrak, using only vehicles for the trips would result in a significant additional cost to the university."
Goldfarb said the Macomb line is in good repair and has an "excellent on-time service record."
"Rather than cutting Amtrak service, we should be advocating additional trains on lines that show ridership demand," Goldfarb said. "The Illinois Zephyr line serving Western and Macomb turns away passengers due to a lack of available seats."
Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead said Amtrak may not close down in Macomb, but national lines are still threatened.
"The last we had heard, the local probably would be OK, but it would affect coast to coast," Wisslead said, adding that this is a concern. "We have a postcard campaign to the president (George W. Bush) and we will start a letter campaign."
Pre-addressed stamped postcards are available in Macomb for residents and students to mail to the White House in support of Amtrak. Wisslead will continue to meet with state officials to keep local funding for Amtrak.
John Maguire, assistant vice president for University Relations, said other communities are asking Western for support.
"Western has been contacted by other communities on the Illinois Zephyr line to continue to ask students, faculty and other university friends to contact their federal legislators in support of Amtrak," Maguire said.
Western's President Al Goldfarb said in a press release to the university that students and administrators use Amtrak for trips to Chicago.
"Western faculty and staff use Amtrak as cost-effective transportation to attend educational conferences and meetings, conduct university-related business in Chicago or to travel to Midway or O'Hare airports," Goldfarb said. "During the most recent university budget year, more than 1,100 university trips were taken along the Amtrak corridor. Without Amtrak, using only vehicles for the trips would result in a significant additional cost to the university."
Goldfarb said the Macomb line is in good repair and has an "excellent on-time service record."
"Rather than cutting Amtrak service, we should be advocating additional trains on lines that show ridership demand," Goldfarb said. "The Illinois Zephyr line serving Western and Macomb turns away passengers due to a lack of available seats."
Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead said Amtrak may not close down in Macomb, but national lines are still threatened.
"The last we had heard, the local probably would be OK, but it would affect coast to coast," Wisslead said, adding that this is a concern. "We have a postcard campaign to the president (George W. Bush) and we will start a letter campaign."
Pre-addressed stamped postcards are available in Macomb for residents and students to mail to the White House in support of Amtrak. Wisslead will continue to meet with state officials to keep local funding for Amtrak.
John Maguire, assistant vice president for University Relations, said other communities are asking Western for support.
"Western has been contacted by other communities on the Illinois Zephyr line to continue to ask students, faculty and other university friends to contact their federal legislators in support of Amtrak," Maguire said.
