Durbin Fights for Full Funding of Amtrak to Ensure New Service to Quincy on Illinois Zephyr
DURBIN FIGHTS FOR FULL FUNDING OF AMTRAK TO ENSURE NEW SERVICE TO QUINCY ON ILLINOIS ZEPHYR
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
[QUINCY] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today held a news conference to discuss the importance of increased Amtrak service on the Illinois Zephyr route that serves Quincy. Durbin, who serves on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, worked with Amtrak to secure the additional train cars needed for the increase in service approved by the governor and state legislature. Durbin is calling on Congress to approve full federal funding for Amtrak so service can be maintained across the nation and expanded on all three Illinois routes.
"With the state's plans to provide additional service on all three of Illinois' intrastate routes, full funding of Amtrak has never been more important," said Durbin. "If Congress and the President under-fund Amtrak, money that is intended to help add service for Quincy residents will go towards maintaining current service and compensating for the lack of adequate federal funds."
The Illinois Zephyr routewhich operates between Chicago and Quincycarried 118,000 passengers in 2005, an increase of 10,000 passengers and 8.9% percent from 2004.
"With more commuters boarding trains in Quincy, the time for expanded service has arrived," Durbin said. "But while the State of Illinois has recognized the needs of Illinois' commuters, the federal government is moving in the wrong direction."
"Last year, Amtrak service in Illinois saw a major increase in ridership," Durbin said. "This year, the state recognized the need for expansion and responded by offering to work with Amtrak to increase service to nearly 30 communities. The State's commitment will provide for the first Midwest Amtrak expansion in almost 20 years. If the House and the President's proposals are adopted, Illinois' Amtrak expansion will be stopped dead in its tracks."
"With families across the state paying $3 dollar a gallon to travel, Congress needs to remember downsizing Amtrak means more traffic congestion, more pollution and fewer affordable travel choices for Illinois' families."
The Chicago to Quincy line, the Illinois Zephyr, includes 8 stops (LaGrange, Naperville, Plano, Mendota, Princeton, Kewanee, Galesburg, and Macomb) between the terminus points. All of the state's Amtrak trains are almost at capacity, highlighting the need for expansion of state service.
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=261658&&