Western Courier

Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Jessica Ruebush Macomb's Amtrak station is located at Macomb Travel, 120 E Calhoun St. The new line will make catching a ride on the train more accessible to students looking for a more convenient way to travel home or visit friends in different cities.

Amtrak will be adding another line to its Macomb to Chicago schedule towards the end of October.

Currently the train leaves Macomb each morning at 7 a.m., depending on delays, and arrives in Chicago at 10:30 a.m. The return train from Chicago to Macomb leaves every day from Chicago at 5:55 p.m. and arrives in Macomb at 9:12 p.m. This schedule sometimes poses a problem for many area students and residents because of the inconvenient times.

Amtrak and Macomb Travel worked closely to plan a new train schedule that will be more convenient without canceling the original train.

The new train tentatively will run every day leaving Macomb at 5:18 p.m. and arriving in Chicago at 8:48 p.m. with the return train leaving Chicago at 8:00 a.m. and arriving in Macomb at 11:07 a.m.

Many students have to miss class because of the current train schedule.

"I believe this will be an outstanding service for Macomb," said John Vigezzi, General Manager of Macomb Travel. "Now students don't have to miss class, and it adds more space and lowers train fares."

The current train serves 44,000 people out of Macomb every year, and on most weekends the train is 80 to 95 percent full.

This second train will relieve a lot of pressure on students to get tickets early because now they have two options for the train. It will also open up more space on the trains.

There is also talk of a third train being added that will go all the way to California, but it would not be put into effect for another few years.

The Macomb Travel Agency is a great benefit to students when it comes to the Amtrak trains. They can book students' tickets, give out more information about train scheduling and also find many lower prices then ordering them online at www.amtrak.com. The travel agency prints tickets right at the station and does not charge extra for sending tickets.

Students can apply for a Student Advantage Card at www.studentadvantage.com which gives students who have the card 15 percent off all Amtrak fares. A new fare is also emplaced for employees of the state. This includes student workers, teachers and administrators of Western Illinois University and anyone employed by the state. They will be charged $18 dollars each way no matter how booked the train is. This discount is available at Macomb Travel and not on the Amtrak Web site.

Macomb Travel can also help find other discounts that are available.

Students can purchase tickets at the Macomb Travel Agency Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Students may also call Macomb Travel at 309/837-1559 or stop by the train station and Macomb Travel location at 120 E. Calhoun St. Tickets can also be purchased on the Amtrak Web site or by calling Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).

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