Officials along Indianapolis-Chicago route uniting to back Amtrak service

Chris Morrise Vizza, (Lafayette) Journal and Courier

Monday, October 15, 2012 7:57 AM

A record year for Amtrak

Amtrak recently announced it set a new national ridership record in the fiscal year just completed. http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/636/294/Amtrak-Sets-New-Ridership-Record-FY2012-ATK-12-092.pdf

Even though 580 fewer people rode Hoosier State, revenue increased $20,000 in fiscal year 2012. Ridership and revenue increased on the Cardinal in fiscal year 2012.

See ridership data for fiscal year 2011 http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/INDIANA11.pdf

Leaders from communities served by the Hoosier State passenger rail are coordinating their efforts to build support for the route between Indianapolis and Chicago.

Last month, Amtrak stated the four-day-a-week service would be discontinued Oct. 1, 2013, if the Indiana Department of Transportation did not agree to pick up the cost of the local service, which is less than 750 miles.

“After we last talked, Amtrak reached out to INDOT, and we are setting a meeting for next month,” said Will Wingfield, INDOT spokesman.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari confirmed the two entities will be meeting.