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Benefits of the
MRRI (Midwest Regional Rail Initiative)
 We
Need More Trains; Here's Why:
Modern passenger train service can begin serving South
and Central Wisconsin starting in late 2003. Service would
be on a Chicago-Milwaukee-Watertown-Madison route, adding
Madison and Watertown to Amtrak's national network. Faster
service to Minneapolis/St. Paul is scheduled thereafter.
Here are just some of the reasons ProRail members believe
that is good news for everyone, including those living in
areas where the train won't stop!
- Closer Service:
With the addition of the Madison area to Amtrak's
network, Dane and Jefferson counties will have their
first-ever year-round Amtrak stop, in Madison and
Watertown. From there, travelers will have a choice of
daily trains to Milwaukee and Chicago, and other points
in between and beyond. Amtrak serves over 500 U.S.
communities and connects with Via Rail in Canada. The
nearest Amtrak connections currently are in Columbus, and
there's only one train a day in each direction with no
same-day round trips possible. Trains give people an
important new travel option.
- More Frequent
Service:
While many rural areas of the country see trains only
once or twice a day, those along the Madison-Milwaukee
route will have nearby access - at Watertown - to six
trains a day in each direction, plus the existing
long-distance Empire Builder (at Columbus).
- More
Connections:
The planned frequencies mean passengers from Wisconsin
will be able to make connections with most short- and
long-distance Amtrak trains to and from Chicago from
other parts of the U.S. Right now, the Chicago-Seattle
Empire Builder arrives in Chicago too late for many
connections - including with trains to other West Coast
areas - and departs too early from Chicago to permit
connections - or convenient connections -- with some
arriving trains from the East, South and West. There also
are times throughout the year when the Empire Builder is
sold out (or remaining seats are limited to long-distance
passengers only), and you simply cannot get a ticket. If
you are traveling east with the new service, you'll have
a lot of other train options.
- More Certain
Connections:
Trains serving the area will originate in Chicago and
Madison, and thus will serve a short distance route.
Short-distance route trains have very good consistent
on-time performance, while trains which have to travel to
and from the West Coast are more likely to encounter
delays.
- New
Destinations:
In the future, travelers leaving from or traveling to
Madison or Watertown will be able to take the train to or
from Brookfield, Gen. Mitchell Airport, and Kenosha -
stops likely only with the new service. That is in
addition to current intermediate stops in downtown
Milwaukee and the Racine area, as well as the northern
suburbs of Chicago. And theyll be able to make a
round-trip the same day, if they want.
- Economic Development:
Madison and Watertown become stops on Amtrak's national
system and will be shown on its maps and timetables. Both
of those communities -- and others in the area -- will
benefit directly and indirectly from that publicity and
prestige. Besides the commercial development around
stations, six trains a day in each direction will allow
communities to take advantage of a variety of economic
development opportunities throughout the area -- be it in
tourism, new companies locating in the area, or existing
companies expanding operations. Rural communities on the
route also will get exposure to tens of thousands of
travelers each year, just as if the areas were adjacent
to an Interstate highway. You'd be surprised how many
people looking out train windows see passing places they
would like to visit later - or perhaps even live. It's a
great opportunity for communities willing to be creative
about ways to take maximum advantage of this new
service.
- All-Weather
Transportation:
Amtrak trains usually still are moving when airports are
closed and highways are ice or snow covered. It's as
close to all-weather transportation as you can find.
- Discount Fares Available at all
Stops:
Amtrak offers a variety of discount fares systemwide,
meaning that no matter which station you use, you are
eligible for discounts such as Explore America fares,
those for AAA members, and others. No airline offers
discounts year-round to America's smaller communities; in
fact, you almost always get financially penalized because
you don't live in a major urban area. Not on Amtrak.
- Better Accommodation of
Passengers With Disabilities:
We believe no transportation company takes better care of
passengers with disabilities than Amtrak. It starts with
special boarding arrangements that respect the traveler,
special seating in both coach and sleepers, and meals
delivered to your seat. To Amtrak, the disabled and
elderly are people they want.
- Increased Property
Values:
The establishment of an intercity rail service usually
generates increased economic activity around stations,
particularly where there are multiple daily frequencies.
Even properties blocks away can benefit as adjacent areas
grow and both business and residential properties are
constructed or remodeled. Those who wonder about the
impact on property values of passenger trains through
residential areas need look no farther than Amtrak's
Milwaukee-Chicago Corridor, where there is frequent
service through residential areas along the track -- and
home construction continues there.
- Neighborhood
Safety:
Passenger trains, vehicles, and neighborhoods can
successfully coexist, as demonstrated by frequent daily
service along Amtrak's Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor and
many other areas of the country. And the track
improvements needed for passenger trains will result in
improved safety of operate of freight trains.
- Respect for Land and the
Environment:
One of the reasons why rural residents value their
communities so much is because they have a respect for
the land. They don't want to pave over large sections of
it for more highways, even as they value a good highway
network. Rail passenger trains also respect the land. For
example, Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago service will use
existing roadbeds. Trains also are environmentally
friendly through the efficient use of fuel. And train
travelers also appreciate and value the scenery which
passes by all too quickly -- and some travelers silently
envy those who live there.
- How Can You Help and What Can
You Do to Make This Happen? Take a look at
Action
Ideas.
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