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What is
WisARP/ProRail?
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WisARP:
The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers
(WisARP) was established in 1977 to promote
passenger train service in Wisconsin and the U.S.A.
WisARP is the Wisconsin chapter of the National
Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP). This
national organization is headquartered in
Washington, DC. It lobbies Congress on behalf of
our national rail passenger system and keeps it's
members informed of Amtrak and transit activities,
and of federal actions affecting Amtrak. It works
closely with WisARP and other state passenger rail
associations, but has no connection with them
beyond a similarity in name and purpose.
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ProRail:
ProRail of Madison is the Madison area chapter
of WisARP. We are the most active local chapter of
WisARP. ProRail exists to promote passenger trains
as a part of a balanced national transportation
system. It is made up of people who enjoy traveling
by train, find it a practical way to travel, and
are dedicated to preserving and improving the
quality and quantity of passenger trains in
Wisconsin and the nation. We are a nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization and our funding comes
entirely from dues.
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ProRail Board
ProRail is managed by a Board of Directors which in 2002
consists of 11 people from Madison, Middleton, Waunakee, and
Portage.
Directors and Officers are elected by the membership each
December for one-year terms beginning Jan. 1.
Board meetings currently are held monthly, usually the
first Monday of each month, at varying locations in the
Madison area.
Any ProRail member interested in serving on the Board,
particularly if living in an area community not currently
represented on the Board, should contact any Board member or
ProRail for more information.
Officers and other Directors for
2002:
- President: Ken Burbach
- First Vice President: Robert Schubert
- VP-Public Relations: Vacant
- VP-Membership: Andrew Sihler
- Treasurer: Michael H. McCoy
- Secretaries: Royce Williams and Judy Siegfried
- Other Directors: Ed Leight, Robert Lenz, Keith
Plasterer, and Ed Kramer
ProRail of Madison goals for the
Madison/Green Bay Areas Include:
- Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago passenger train
service.
- Green Bay-Milwaukee-Chicago passenger train
service.
- At least one additional daily train on the
Chicago-Twin Cities route, with a Madison train
connection .
- Promotion of conventional rail, both for its own
value and for possible future high speed rail on routes
that are suitable for such operations.
- Increased Amtrak ridership through improved quality
of service and additional trains, on all routes.
- Identification (in cooperation with the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation) of existing rail routes
that have passenger service potential, to protect them
from abandonment or downgrading.
How does ProRail promote its
goals?
ProRail members meet monthly with speakers from
Amtrak, the Department of Transportation, the Business
Community, and Politicians. ProRail issues Tips for
Travelers(a brochure distributed to area travel agents and
Amtrak stations) and other flyers. ProRail works for passage
of state legislation to add trains on the Milwaukee-Chicago
corridor and, since its enactment, has promoted
Milwaukee-Chicago rail service to Madison travelers.
What Has ProRail Achieved?
ProRail negotiated a connection to Amtrak's Milwaukee
trains via Badger Coach Lines. ProRail is interested in
expanding a system of bus and transit connections with
Amtrak trains. ProRail worked to keep a station agent at the
Columbus station and, in January 1990, a station agent was
reinstated. ProRail monitors the condition of stations along
the Empire Builder route in Wisconsin. ProRail worked for
the 1992 adoption of the constitutional amendment allowing
state assistance to railroads. ProRail works with Wisconsin
Dept. of Transportation on passenger rail transportation
matters. As the state capital chapter of WisARP, ProRail
contacts state officials to promote legislation. ProRail
keeps in constant contact with our congressional delegation,
Amtrak, NARP, and the news media. ProRail promotes Amtrak
travel by staffing tables at shopping centers, rail shows,
and the Farmers Market to provide information on Amtrak.
ProRail members apear on radion talk shows and television
news programs and speak to various business and civic
organization. ProRail produces the WisARP newletter Badger
Rails, and the ProRail newletter Keeping Track, to keep
members informed of national, state, and local activities.
When does ProRail hold
meetings?
ProRail meets almost every month, typically on the last
Saturday of the month or, in several summer months, on
Wednesday evenings. We gather at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast;
meetings generally include a speaker, an update of current
rail activities, and relevant movies or slides. The meetings
last until about 10:30 a.m. Locations vary in the Madison
area.
How do I contact
Prorail?
ProRail
P.O. Box 5401
Madison, WI 53705-0401
E-mail: prorail@hotmail.com
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