(The Flint Journal posted the following article on its website on September 26.)
FLINT, Mich. — Amtrak is on track for a $1-million state funding cut that could mean drastic changes to its Flint services.
The state House and the Senate approved $6.1-million funding for Amtrak, a 14 percent cut from previous years. The money goes directly to the local Blue Water line from Port Huron to Chicago and the Pere Marquette line from Grand Rapids to Chicago.
“Something would have to give if they have less than $7.1 million,” said Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.
It’s now in Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s hands, and they are pretty well tied.
The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers worried a funding cut could doom the passenger train service entirely, but other cost-cutting possibilities include reducing its seven-day-a-week service or removing ticket agents from stations – which Flint experienced once before.
“Jeez, I just think right now we’re at the point where everybody is suffering with gas prices,” said Barb Spaulding-Westcott, a frequent train rider from Flint.
Rep. David B. Robertson, R-Grand Blanc Twp., supported the cut that generally split lawmakers along party lines.
“Amtrak has had problems for decades now at the federal and state level. I simply can’t justify supporting it given the other priorities for transportation,” said Robertson, who pointed to pot holes and roads as more important to constituents.
Both the Blue Water and Pere Marquette have been on a growth spurt this year. The Blue Water this year has served 102,306 riders, a 17.4 percent increase.
Negotiations on how much service Amtrak provides and routes will begin after the budget bill is signed into law, Magliari said.
The governor is still considering the bill passed by the Legislature.
“It’s one of several issues she’s going to have to decide on in the next week,” said Liz Boyd, Granholm’s spokeswoman.
Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint Twp., said the cut appears to be a certainty because the governor cannot add additional funding. She could chose to line-item veto it, but that could mean Amtrak would get nothing.
“I think it is bad policy for the state,” Gonzales said.
Lawmakers did offer a caveat: Amtrak could get the additional $1 million if it moved its service center and its 660 jobs to Michigan from Indiana. There are no plans to move, Magliari said.
Tickets from Flint to Chicago start at $23 one way. The local Amtrak station is located at the Mass Transportation Authority facility on S. Dort Highway near I-69.