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NewsWednesday, June 25, 2008 9:32 PM CDT
Passenger train group criticizes proposal to cut state's support of Amtrak
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SPRINGFIELD -- A passenger train group on Wednesday criticized Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s proposal to cut the state’s support of Amtrak at a time when high gas prices are on nearly everyone’s minds.

“It’s a great way to respond to $4-a-gallon gasoline,” Ross Capon, National Association of Railroad Passengers director, said sarcastically.

Among $1.5 billion in budget reductions proposed by Blagojevich on Tuesday is the elimination of $28 million for Amtrak lines that include trains that stop at several downstate towns.

But whether those cuts actually will happen is unclear, and an Amtrak spokesman said trains won’t stop unless the cuts become official.

“We have no plans to suspend service,” Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said.

Magliari said the eventual decision is up to the state whether to spend the $28 million. Blagojevich has yet to take action on the state budget, and lawmakers could further change plans after that.

Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Claffey said his agency isn’t sure how the cuts would work if they eventually are made.

“We haven’t gotten to the point where we have a whole lot of specifics on this,” Claffey said.

If the state decided to eliminate its Amtrak contract, three Lincoln Service trains between Chicago and St. Louis that stop in Bloomington-Normal, Dwight, Pontiac and Lincoln would be cut. One Lincoln Service train and the Texas Eagle would remain.

Also facing cancellation are the Saluki and Illini trains that run from Chicago to Carbondale with stops in Champaign and Mattoon. The City of New Orleans train would remain.

The number of riders on the lines is up in the last year, a fact that Capon says makes any threats to cut Amtrak service ill-timed.

“The public is saying, ‘We want opportunities to drive less,’” he said.

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Reader comments on this story - 5 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

JohnDW wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:31 PM:

" I don't think the Governor thinks at all. He is just another brick in the wall of no-good crooked Illinois Politicos with an agenda all for himself & not the wonderful people he represents! Yet, I hope his agenda ends up biting him just as our other MAGNIFICENT MORON Mr. Ryan.... We really need to start paying attention come election time because we vote into office the biggest weasels!!! "

pseudo-intellectual wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:55 PM:

" Do you think the Governor stays up late at night thinking of ways to torment downstate Illinois? "

tmac_74 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:01 AM:

" Maybe if Blago would not have made it free for seniors to ride the metra trains in Chicago the state would not have had to give Metra so much state funding and the budget wouldn't be so bad. Maybe the law makers in Illinois should not get pay raised I know of no one who got a pay raise this year "

Mattitude1209 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:32 AM:

" Not a good decision on Gov. Blago's part. This is the last thing he should be doing with gas prices at $4 per gallon and rising. It's my hope and prayer that he will reconsider his priorities here. I also hope and pray that our country will realize the benefits of other forms of transportation such as WALKING!, trains, planes, bikes, etc. Just imagine how much better off we would be if our country had a better alternative transportation system such as with trains. My Dad is such a smart guy. :-) God bless everyone and have a good weekend. "

Mattitude1209 wrote on Jun 26, 2008 2:29 AM:

" I think this is an unfortunate case as one of the individuals mentioned because with $4 gas prices, we should be doing as much as we can to invest in alternative forms of transportation like trains. I think it's essential that Gov. Blago. reconsider his priorities and realize what a lack of good that would do to cut funding to Amtrack. My Dad is so right that our country does not value a train system and should seriously begin to consider this with the gas price problems. Why the heck do we not have a direct train route from Springfield to Carbondale and other larger cities in Illinois? All important questions that I hope our Gov. will consider here. "

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