Expanded passenger train service between Chicago and the Twin Cities could come as early as late 2022, according to a Wisconsin Department of Transportation official. That was the news Arun Rao brought to the January meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. Rao is the Wisconsin DOT’s top passenger train expert. To watch his presentation, click here: https://youtu.be/sNzurNrgB8U
Amtrak official says alternate Chicago-Minneapolis route through Eau Claire is possible
Derrick James, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Amtrak, says an alternate Minneapolis-Chicago route through Eau Claire is something Amtrak is considering.
James was the guest speaker at the December meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. During his presentation, James showed a map from Amtrak’s “Connects US” plan which shows a route through the Chippewa Valley. Amtrak’s current service between the Twin Cities and Chicago goes through southern Minnesota before crossing the Mississippi at La Crosse, and then on through Tomah.
James said the federal infrastructure bill, recently signed into law by President Biden, includes millions of dollars for expanded passenger train service.
Click here: https://youtu.be/pYaPWaeZ9UM watch the presentation.
New Federal Infrastructure Bill's Impact on Passenger Train Proposals
The infrastructure bill recently signed into law by President Biden includes money for expanding passenger train service across the United States. At this month’s meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, chair Scott Rogers discussed how the bill might impact plans to bring passenger trains to the Chippewa Valley and beyond: https://youtu.be/P2zqAJBGmjE
High Speed Rail Alliance Exec discusses efforts to expand passenger train service
Chicago native Rick Harnish founded the HSRA in 1993 and has served as its Executive Director since 2001.
According to its website, the Alliance “builds the political will for systemic change by advocating for integrated rail and transit networks connected by 200+ MPH high-speed lines.”
To watch a replay of the discussion concerning the status of federal legislation to invest in nationwide passenger rail development, click here: https://youtu.be/NoRjzPHuEvo
Eau Claire Passenger Train Rally Attracts Weekend Crowd
More than two dozen people gathered in Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park Saturday to push for expanded passenger train service for the Chippewa Valley. The “Rally for Rail” was organized by the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance.
The goal was to encourage congress to pass President Biden’s infrastructure bill, which includes money for improving passenger rail. Among the speakers was Mark Quam of the Western Wisconsin Rail Coalition, who talked about how important transportation connectivity is to Eau Claire’s future.
State Rep. Jodi Emerson (D)-Eau Claire says extending passenger rail service to Eau Claire would allow workers to more easily commute to jobs in other places: “I think it’s a great way to expand our city and have our people have places to work that are not necessarily tied to Eau Claire.”
Others touted trains as being more environmentally responsible.
Rail Passengers C.E.O. Discusses Strategies for Improving Service at May WWRC Meeting
Jim Mathews, the president and C.E.O. of the national Rail Passengers Association, was the guest speaker at the May meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition on Thursday, May 20th. He talked with members about strategies for getting federal assistance to expand rail service. Watch the replay of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/0iWjdmLOzgk
Wisconsin Public Radio to Host Passenger Train Discussion
Eau Claire, Wis. – Passenger rail development in western Wisconsin and its relationship to a statewide project connecting Chicago, Milwaukee and the Twin Cities will be the topic of “The West Side” at 10 a.m. Friday, May 14 on The Ideas Network stations of Wisconsin Public Radio: 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls.
Host Clara Neupert welcomes Scott Rogers, vice president of Governmental Affairs at the Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, and Mark Quam, president of the Chippewa Valley Transit Alliance and secretary/acting treasurer of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition, to talk about the push for a new passenger rail line that would connect Chicago to the Twin Cities as well as a second passenger rail project in western Wisconsin.
“The West Side” is broadcast each Friday at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls and live streamed at wrfw887.com/listen-live.html.Listeners may call in with questions and comments during the program at (800) 228-5615, or email the show at ideas@wpr.org. Archives of “The West Side” are available at wpr.org/programs/west-side.
National Rail Passengers CEO To Speak at May Meeting
Jim Matthews, the President and C.E.O. of the national Rail Passengers Association, will be the featured speaker at the May meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. A lifelong train traveler with a deep-rooted vision for a robust national passenger train network within the U.S., Mathews believes rail can be an economic engine in the communities it serves, a potentially transformative mode in an ever-changing transportation landscape and the most environmentally responsible way to meet the transportation challenges of the 21st century.
The virtual meeting (via Zoom) begins at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 20th. The meeting is open to the public, but pre-registration is required for Zoom. Anyone who wishes to attend can register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcod-CorT4oG9IFrIY8WzkkLOCrJze_V9nN
Comments Show Public Support for Expanding Passenger Rail Service in Wisconsin
There is strong public support for increased passenger rail service in Wisconsin, according to comments filed this spring with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The DOT released information on the TCMC (Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago) project this week. The plan is to add a second passenger train on the existing Amtrak route between the Twin Cities and Chicago. That route includes stops in La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus and Milwaukee. The DOT is also looking into adding a dedicated shuttle bus service between Eau Claire and the Amtrak depot in Tomah, with buses timed to make train connections.
Of the 3800+ public comments filed abut the project in March, 84% indicated support for it. Only 4% were opposed. The complete report is available here: https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/projects/multimodal/rail/20210414_TCMC-booklet.pdf
Wisconsin DOT official discusses passenger rail expansion plans
Arun Rao of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, talked about plans to enhance and expand passenger train options in the Badger State during the April 15th meeting of the West Central Wisconsin Rail Coalition. Watch a replay of the meeting here: https://youtu.be/98Jyd9hmyd4