KenRail Telegraph is published by the Kenosha-Racine chapter of the Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers, as a monthly newsletter for members. Non-members may get single copies, $1.50 each or $10 annually by mail, from KenRail Telegraph, Box 278, Somers, WI 53171. ----->>> April, 1995 Vol. 3, No. 4 <<<----- AMTRAK, WISDOT STOP, LOOK, LISTEN AT PREMIER SESSION Amtrak's first of seven regional sessions kicked off in KenRail's area (in Racine, Wisconsin) on March 28, emulating the format used by WisDOT for its Translinks 21 comment sessions last year. Complete coverage by print and TV media informed southeast Wisconsin fully, including a "live" report by Milwaukee TV. Amtrak president Tom Downs fielded questions from worried fans of his trains. Suggestions for raising revenues with more postal cartage and any marketing, in place of its total absence, typified the last minutes of an excellent afternoon as the most avid of approximately 200 persons used the session to best advantage. Focus was primarily on Hiawathas, with fare reduction and food-beverage service among the issued raised. Gov. Tommy Thompson, former Amtrak board member and host for this pioneering Amtrak effort, opened with a recap of events which kept Hiawathas running. He pledged to continue them as public demand requires, and looked to future, better prospects as he called on ten panelists. Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist led off with resounding enthusiasm for the Hiawatha trains he has advocated so well and for their continuation and expansion. Train travel can add value to community economies in Milwaukee, Racine, and Chicago, he reminded (and Kenosha, we would add --ed). Subsequent panelists listed many other reasons for keeping present service. One was High Speed Rail potential, which already has preliminary acceptance for the Milwaukee-Chicago route among planners. Comparison to better trains in Europe and Asia came from a Chicago speaker, who also urged more contacts to Congress for overcoming a $300 million shortfall in transport infrastructure. Racine's major company, S. C. Johnson, described the global aspirations of its employees, which requires modern travel links to cultural centers in Chicago and Milwaukee, and easy travel to anywhere in the world. Two Milwaukeeans cited interrelation among banking, commerce, and Hiawatha travel, and plans for a convention hall plus a new light rail system require continued Amtrak service. Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers (WisARP) President John Parkyn questioned "subsidies" for trains serving city-pairs, discussed ways to restructure market services, and endorsed a stop at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport (but didn't mention Sturtevant or Kenosha). A consultant from St. Louis followed with cost-cutting ideas via "privatizing" Amtrak, and said it can't treat states like "sheep to be sheared". Hiawatha's strongest boost came from Jay Schmidt, from the ad-hoc group SWAT (Save Wisconsin Amtrak Trains), who spoke for RIDERS rather than supporting Amtrak. Indeed, the carrier earned scathing comments because riders feel frustrated, verging on anger, he said. Schmidt described his hope for training to Great America, and named Kenosha and Gurnee as "absolutely logical places for the trains to stop". Jerry Franke, of Lakeview Corporate Park, wrapped up his company's record of sponsorship for a Kenosha stop, and said economic growth along the route depends on an integrated intermodal transport system like the Northeast Corridor. It's "ludicrous to be cutting back" travel options in the fastest-growing region in America, he said. Federal Railroad Administrator Jolene Molitoris said a very strong message to President Clinton is needed to keep Amtrak. But Amtrak board member Dan Collins, of UTU, reminded that HSR funds were rejected by Ohio voters a few years back when an ambitious system was proposed. More than one panelist cautioned that NO travel mode pays ALL its costs directly, before Amtrak President Downs answered questions. Trains have a tough time, he said, competing against $49 airfares when its own costs are $65 per seat. Each new business unit will be ranked often on various factors, including customer satisfaction, while the response around the nation at following sessions will affect Amtrak's future. Downs impressed on us again: tell Congress if you want Amtrak continued. WisDOT Secretary Charles Thompson also answered several questions and defended new Hiawatha fares as probably reasonable. Trains need not be cheaper than auto travel, he insisted, and the questioner didn't challenge the Secretary's new fare standard. (A Milwaukee-Chicago roundtrip costs 22 cents per mile using a $38 r/t ticket.) Other questions and answers showed a persistent interest in sandwich/drink service onboard Hiawathas and strong interest in boosting Amtrak revenues with related services. Six more sessions follow throughout April at other sites in the West, East, and South. EDITOR'S KEY --Dots and dashes from your editor, independent opinions and comment, sometimes wrong Governor Thompson and Amtrak did a great deal to retrieve the company's standing in everyone's eyes March 28. The turnout at Racine for a public dialogue showed Amtrak cares and its riders care, too. Save Wisconsin Amtrak Trains (SWAT) spokesman Jay Schmidt defined, then presented, the case for train riders, especially daily riders whose fares will pay Amtrak bills. Like it or not, that reality will govern choices, and impute importance to SWAT's priorities. Realism will guide Madison's state Rep. Spencer Black, an advocate for trains to his district, as legislators and WisDOT choose where to invest --and in what mode. Last month I lashed out at Amtrak for treating its ledger carelessly, and for insulting its friends and riders who took its data --admittedly secondhand from a consultant --at face value. That was realistic, too. Now the bloom of Spring is surrounding us, and each faction would do well to appreciate the annual renewal. This is the season of growth, of fresh starts, of sprouting from dormant or dead roots. Amtrak President Tom Downs and Gov. Thompson have set the sun shining on Midwest train travel. Now, it's up to us to 'get real' about the services we want, the costs and investments involved, and the pace of progress we --and the travelling public --require to meet our long-distance as well as our commuting needs. If that pace is rapid, then private capital will probably be needed to complement State and Federal funds. If that growth is to follow any WisARP pattern, then we must match in energy and knowledge what Hiawatha riders pay in fares and daily use, so WisARP is heard as riders are heard through SWAT. If dollar and cents really prevails, then train travel will regain some of the acceptance of bygone years. NEWS OF S.E. WISCONSIN AND MIDWEST KenRail's March meeting reaffirmed support for Metra extension beyond Kenosha through Racine toward Milwaukee, for Metra beyond Antioch to Burlington, and for Hiawathas continuing on Soo Line. All three services are already on SEWRPC (Southeast Wis. Regional Planning Commission) and/or WisDOT agenda. Plans also were discussed for organizing a passenger train awareness program early in July, in conjunction with the Fourth of July celebration. Though most KenRail members learned directly from NARP (in its 2 Mar 95 letter) of Amtrak's statement to its employees, the priorities voiced by Amtrak's board are worth repeating: "(Amtrak's) future lies in densely populated corridors, commercially viable city pairs and essential rail corridors, which should be defined by national transportation policy." "(Amtrak) is customer oriented; recognizes that public, private, and public-private elements may exist; and assumes that service will be provided as close to the true cost for state and federal customers as possible." "To realize such a future, formidable economic and financial challenges must be overcome." (Sounds familiar to the Telegraph and KenRail, though NARP's long distance inclinations may take alarm at Amtrak's candor. I think Amtrak borders on realism. --ed.) --Norm Siler is the editor of the KenRail Telegraph and can be reached at P. O. Box 278, Somers, WI 53171. - 30 -