Letter to Alexander Kummant, CEO of Amtrak, Re: Increasing Number of Available Trains

Letter

Letter to Alexander Kummant, CEO of Amtrak, Re: Increasing Number of Available Trains

Durbin: Increasing Number of Available Trains Will Benefit Proposed Illinois Amtrak Routes

In an effort to clear the way for new Amtrak service, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today led a bipartisan group of senators in requesting that Alex Kummant, CEO of Amtrak, increase the number of train cars—known as rolling stock—available for use in supplying new service from Chicago to Iowa City through the Quad Cities and from Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa via Rockford and Galena. Durbin announced his request while meeting with passenger rail service supporters and officials from Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation about restoring Amtrak service from Chicago to Galena.

Currently, Amtrak is storing train cars at their maintenance facilities in Delaware that could be rehabilitated for use on these routes that would provide enormous benefits to businesses, travelers and communities.

Previous Amtrak service from Chicago to Dubuque was suspended in 1981. Last year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Amtrak finished a feasibility study laying the ground work for the return of this service. However, Amtrak trains will not be up and running on that track until the necessary improvements—funded through a state capital bill—are completed.

"Enthusiasm for passenger rail service is at an all-time high, driven by high fuel prices, growing congestion and environmental concern. Amtrak has seen phenomenal growth in Illinois the past few years, with all three state routes showing double digit percentage increases," wrote Durbin and his colleagues. "To accommodate the expected boom in ridership due to the Chicago to Iowa City and Chicago to Dubuque service, we want to ensure that we have the absolute best rolling stock available. Please consider the viability of retrieving equipment from storage that could easily be rehabbed and used for Amtrak service into Iowa."

Senators joining Durbin in today's request include U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tom Carper (D-DE) and Joe Biden (D-DE).

Text of the letter appears below:

May 27, 2008

Mr. Alexander Kummant
President and CEO
National Passenger Railroad Corporation Board of Directors
60 Massachusetts Avenue Northeast
Washington, D.C. 20002

Dear Mr. Kummant:

Amtrak's recently concluded feasibility studies on Proposed Amtrak Service from Chicago to Quad Cities and from Quad Cities to Iowa City cites a limited supply of train cars as a potential obstacle to implementing a new line of service. Our understanding is that the State of Delaware is currently storing rolling stock that could be rehabilitated for use in new service from Chicago to Iowa City through the Quad Cities and from Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa via Rockford and Galena, Illinois.

The feasibility studies yielded encouraging results. Both studies indicate that if the state governments of Illinois and Iowa agree to move forward with this new line of service, the benefits to both states will be tremendous.

Ridership aboard Amtrak trains nationwide has been increasing and is expected to hit a record of 28.8 million passengers this year. Enthusiasm for passenger rail service is at an all-time high, driven by high fuel prices, growing congestion, and environmental concern. Amtrak has seen phenomenal growth in Illinois the past few years, with all three state routes showing double digit percentage increases. Amtrak also serves more than 700,000 riders annually in Delaware and ridership could potentially reach 187,000 annually in Iowa should both states agree to install Amtrak service in the Quad Cities, Rockford, Iowa City and Dubuque. These numbers show that Americans want the quick, cost-effective, and reliable public ground transportation system that Amtrak provides to 30 communities and three million people.

To accommodate the expected boom in ridership due to the Chicago to Iowa City and Chicago to Dubuque service, we want to ensure that we have the absolute best rolling stock available. Please consider the viability of retrieving equipment from storage that could easily be rehabbed and used for Amtrak service into Iowa. Not only would this provide the cars needed at a reasonable cost, but it would also prove beneficial for workers in Delaware.

We look forward to working together with you on this exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,
Dick Durbin
U.S. Senator

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