Talk of restoring Amtrak service to Rockford or other Illinois cities should not be allowed to interfere with negotiations to add four passenger trains Downstate beginning about Oct. 1.

Two of those trains would pass through Dwight, Pontiac, Bloomington-Normal and Lincoln.

Marc Magliari, manager of Amtrak media relations, said negotiations are under way to add the Downstate trains.

The Illinois Legislature doubled to $24.3 million its Amtrak subsidy in the fiscal year beginning July 1, which subsidizes service from Oct. 1 through July 2007. That would allow Amtrak to add two trains daily between Chicago and St. Louis; one train daily between Chicago and Quincy; and one daily between Chicago and Carbondale. The additions would provide five round-trips daily between Chicago and St. Louis.

Since that budget was approved, supporters of rail passenger service have been talking with officials in other Illinois cities about making a push for more or improved service, Magliari said. Amtrak is now being encouraged to provide service between Chicago and Rockford.

Amtrak expansion beyond what the Legislature budgeted will probably have to wait until at least Oct. 1, 2007, Magliari said.

In the meantime, the state's $24.3 million subsidy almost assures adding the four trains on three routes, Magliari said, because that represents about 75 percent of the trains' cost. However, Magliari cautioned that the state budget can still be changed in the fall veto session, and Amtrak's federal budget isn't always adopted by Oct. 1. Amtrak could start the additional trains with month-to-month funding that Congress usually provides if it hasn't adopted a budget.

Magliari said adding trains to existing routes should take less time because Amtrak knows pretty much what to expect.

Five things need to be done: Completing negotiations on a contract with the state; solidifying new train schedules; looking at the best way to use existing equipment; working with the railroads that own the rails; and getting additional trains and crews into the Midwest.

Increased train travel is likely a reality resulting from increasing gasoline prices.

Higher prices at the pump means the state will face the challenge of increased demands for public transportation. This is a good start. Let's not let progress be slowed while politicians fight for pet projects.