(The following story by John R. Pulliam appeared on The Register-Mail website on September 26.)
GALESBURG, Ill. — A vote Thursday evening in the U.S. House of Representatives may have moved Amtrak service for Peoria and the Quad Cities further along the track. State Rep. Don Moffitt said Friday he’ll continue to watch the progress of that possible service and evaluate how it may affect ridership in Galesburg.
Congressman Phil Hare, D-Rock Island, on Thursday evening voted in favor of the Amtrak Reauthorization Bill that would create a new State Capital Grant program for intercity rail projects.
If the bill is signed by the president, it could help establish Amtrak service between the Quad Cities and Chicago and Peoria and Chicago. Currently, a number of passengers who board and disembark from Amtrak trains in Galesburg are from the Quad Cities and Peoria areas. Neither community currently has passenger rail service.
Moffitt, R-Gilson, is minority spokesman for the state’s House Railroad Industry Committee. He said he has had some discussions with railroad officials as to whether Quad Cities and Peoria Amtrak service would impact ridership here. In fiscal year 2007, there were 87,004 Amtrak riders in Galesburg an increase of nearly 14 percent compared to the previous fiscal year. Amtrak ticket revenue in Galesburg in FY2007 was nearly $4.5 million. Galesburg is served by eight Amtrak trains daily, with four of those funded by the state.
“It’s a concern,” Moffitt said. “It’s one I have talked to the railroad about. Their initial reaction was it would not hurt Galesburg. I’m sure Congressman Hare would not do anything to hurt Galesburg.
“It’s an issue we need to keep an eye on,” Moffitt added. “We want to maintain what we have and grow it. It is definitely an issue that needs continuing discussion and research. I don’t want to support anything that would hurt the (rail) traffic in Galesburg.”
Moffitt said he has had problems getting answers to some questions. However, he said railroad officials feel that more Quad Cities residents go to Princeton than Galesburg to board Amtrak. As for the Peoria metro area, those living on the west side may be more likely to come to Galesburg, while those on the east side of the river possibly find the trip to Normal more convenient. What that means is that it is difficult to know exactly how many of the 87,000 Amtrak riders in FY2007 here were from Peoria or the Quad Cities.
Also, Moffitt said that in general, “as you make more options available, it continues to enhance passenger rail as a method of transportation.”
Although Moffitt is concerned enough to monitor the situation, he said many Amtrak trains are sold out and the new service, if it comes about, may simply allow more people to ride the train.
Nothing is simple these days, however. He said “another problem is it’s difficult to get additional passenger cars. There’s a backlog in getting passenger rail cars.”
The Reauthorization Bill approved by the U.S. House provides $1.9 billion for grants to states to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide new or improved passenger rail service between cities. It also includes an 80 percent federal match.
“Establishing an Amtrak line between the Quad Cities and Chicago is one of my top priorities as a member of Congress,” Hare said. “I believe the emergence of a State Capital Grant program in this bill, along with a funding formula that eases the burden on Illinois, brings us significantly closer to achieving that goal.”
Estimates show that a Quad Cities to Chicago line would cost $23 million. With the State Capital Grant program, the federal government would pick up $18.4 million of that tab.
“I believe passenger rail is a wise investment for everyone involved,” Hare said. “It will increase economic development opportunities in the Quad Cities and help facilitate the progress of a Western Illinois University satellite campus in Moline.”
WIU also figures into Moffitt’s take on the situation. He said a number of students from the Chicago area ride Amtrak to Knox College, Monmouth College, as well as Western Illinois University and Quincy University.
“That demand is still going to be there,” Moffitt said. “The passenger (count) at the Galesburg depot is Galesburg-plus; Galesburg plus Quincy.”