State Amtrak ridership increases

August 22, 2005
By Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD- The Bush Administration's push to cut funding for Amtrak hasn't stopped riders from jumping aboard in Illinois.

Figures released Wednesday show the number of passengers riding Amtrak trains increased by almost 11 percent on three of Illinois' four lines, including the state-supported route running through Dwight, Pontiac, Normal and Lincoln.

The numbers, covering the fiscal year ending June 30, were released as part of a lobbying effort by the railroad that included a visit to Central Illinois by Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer David Gunn.

Gunn, who has been riding across the country on Amtrak, made stops in Normal and Springfield en route from Chicago to Kansas City. He predicted Congress this fall would again derail Bush's efforts to eliminate funding for the nation's passenger rail service.

"We're reasonably optimistic that we're going to come out of this with a workable budget," said Gunn.

In Illinois , which contributes $12 million to subsidize additional trains, the number of riders on the Chicago-St. Louis corridor, the Chicago-Carbondale route and the Chicago-Milwaukee line jumped by nearly 11 percent. The number of riders on the Chicago-Quincy corridor increased by 7.6 percent, said Amtrak.

"I think this goes to show that passenger rail is a portion of our transportation system we can't do without," Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Tim Martin said in a statement.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $1.2 billion subsidy for Amtrak. A Senate committee has approved $1.45 billion and the full Senate is expected to act on the measure sometime this fall. Bush has proposed zero dollars for Amtrak.

Gunn said Amtrak needs $1.4 billion to maintain current levels of service that nationwide have resulted in increased numbers of passengers.

Gunn and Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson of Urbana agreed Amtrak will always need some type of financial support.

"We're running more trains, hauling more passengers and doing more maintenance," said Gunn. "We're trying to run a very responsible, businesslike operation. But there will always be a deficit."

Said Johnson, "It is a public service. There is going to be a certain amount of federal dollars that will go into maintaining that service.

"Like any other area of federal, state or local government, I want to see it run as efficiently and as cost-effective as can be done," said Johnson. "But I will also say this: I've been a huge supporter of Amtrak. It's a vital link in our economic infrastructure."

As for cutting costs, Gunn said the company is trying to keep operational costs flat while spending more on improving trains. He said Amtrak has shed about 5,000 jobs in recent years.

"If we survive, the equipment will get better, not worse," said Gunn.

Amtrak president David Gunn stood on the platform of his private inspection car as Amtrak train 303, departed for St. Louis Wednesday morning from the Normal train station.Gunn walked back to train 303, at the Amtrak station. Gunn gave a short interview before the train left with the president's private inspection car on the rear of the train.