Business
La Crosse County may get on board for Amtrak expansion
More Amtrak stops in the La Crosse area have been proposed by railroad supporters. La Crosse County would also like to see increased rail usage.
A resolution calling for higher state and federal funding for passenger trains goes to the full county board for a vote next week.
County administrator Steve O’Malley said rail traffic is becoming more profitable for Wisconsin. State leaders want to see more money invested in rail travel for the Milwaukee area.
The county resolution says about half of the state’s population lives within 30 minutes an Amtrak depot.
At least one citizens’ group has proposed doubling the number of Amtrak stops in La Crosse, from two per day to four.
M.E. Singer
June 12, 2019 at 9:59 pm
Be careful for what you wish for, as Amtrak relies upon a congressional hammer it created for states, such as Wisconsin, to pay full cost for their passenger train operating under 750 miles. Known as PRIIA (Passenger Rail Investment & Infrastructure Act of 2008), as created by Amtrak’s own Executive Vice President, Stephen Gardner, Wisconsin would pay per Amtrak’s own cost methodology which has been highly criticized for shifting costs from the Northeast Corridor to state-supported routes.
In essence, unbeknownst to the public taxpayer, and most every state treasurer and auditor, PRIIA is used to drain state finances to subsidize the deficit ridden Northeast Corridor, while the states along the Corridor do not pay for their Amtrak intercity trains. No wonder New York’s Senator Schumer (D-NY) is so close to Amtrak’s Board Chair, Anthony Coscia.
Pam
June 13, 2019 at 6:04 am
I would like to see more reliable service before added runs. Waiting 6 hours for a train is ridiculous. Passengers should be able to pass freight if that is the policy being pursued.