Area politicians reiterated their support for local commercial and freight rail systems and said they would continue to support the rails with state and federal funds.
“I love to hear that horn in the background,” said Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, who said a few-years-old state capital bill that gave $500 million to rail improvements has helped strengthen one of Western Illinois’ biggest “economic lifelines.”
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Representatives of local, state and federal government came together Monday in Galesburg to officially vote to form an Amtrak corridor coalition. The group formed to promote economic development, tourism and educational opportunity along the Chicago-Quincy Corridor is said to be one of the first of its kind in the nation.
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Post Link: http://www.galesburg.com/newsnow/x2095093113/Leaders-form-Amtrak-Corridor-Coalition
Increased ridership on state-supported Amtrak routes means new bi-level passenger cars are coming by 2015. The new units will offer amenities such as greater bicycle storage and Wi-Fi.
The Illinois Zephyr and the Carl Sandburg are among the lines that will receive the new cars. State Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, said the new cars make passenger rail service even more efficient.
“It allows us to transport more passengers on the same footprint,” Illinois Secretary of Transportation Ann Schneider told Tri-States Radio in Macomb. “So it makes it more efficient and it gives us opportunity to expand service without having to add train sets.”
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Post Link: http://www.galesburg.com/news/x1992161890/New-bi-level-cars-will-have-Wi-Fi
On the heels of recent news that ridership on state-supported Amtrak trains increased 85 percent since 2006, state Rep. Don Moffitt and other officials are trying to build on that momentum. During a news conference Friday morning in the Galesburg Amtrak depot, Moffitt announced plans for an Amtrak summit this summer for leaders of the cities along the Chicago-to-Quincy corridor.
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Post Link: http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/news/x1221868147/Planning-for-the-future
Although final figures are not expected to be released until next week, an Amtrak spokesman said Tuesday that the national passenger rail service surpassed 30 million riders for the first time in its history for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
Steve Kulm, Amtrak’s director of media relations, said it takes time to compile the numbers. The 30 million figure has been expected for some time, however, as the number of riders grew during the year.
“We had previously said we anticipated and expected to surpass 30 million riders,” Kulm said. “We can confirm that we’ve done that, but the final numbers are still being counted.”
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Post Link: http://www.galesburg.com/news/x748724324/30-million-riders-an-Amtrak-record
On Saturday, September 24 at 10 a.m., Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman Tom Carper and Galesburg Mayor Sal Garza will open the Amtrak Exhibit Train, a unique traveling display showcasing memorabilia from the 40 years of Amtrak railroad history. The Exhibit Train is touring the country and is stopping at Galesburg this weekend for its only scheduled downstate Illinois visit.
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