(The following story by Tim Landis appeared on the State Journal-Register website on November 23, 2009.)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Jill Schroeder says she can tell the Amtrak passengers by their luggage.
“They usually have those little pull-along luggage bags behind them,” said Schroeder, manager of the Pease’s candy shop at Sixth and Washington streets.
If a joint state/Amtrak promotion works out, she could begin to see more of them in the shop just east of the downtown rail station. Springfield is one of nine Illinois cities targeted by a “car-free” walk-to-the-sites travel campaign by Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation, as the Thanksgiving/Christmas travel period kicks off.
It also comes after another year of increased ridership on the three Illinois lines.
“We’re adding capacity on every train in the market, though it will vary by the day of the week. Our busiest days tend to be Wednesday and Sunday,” said Marc Magliari, a spokesman for Amtrak in Chicago.
Amtrak expects this Wednesday to be its busiest day of the year.
Gasoline at $4-a-gallon-plus in the summer of 2008 was the original inspiration for the leave-your-vehicle behind promotion. Prices are considerably lower now — an average of $2.70 a gallon statewide — though AAA Chicago predicted recently prices would continue to rise as holiday travel picks up.
Several of the major Lincoln sites are within easy walking distance of the Amtrak station at Third and Washington streets, and in the past year, the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau helped put together an Amtrak travel package that includes train fare, tickets to the presidential museum, trolley transportation and a hotel.
Prices range from $109 to $348 for the package, which is offered through Gray Line, a worldwide travel agency, said Kim Rosendahl, director of tourism for the Springfield bureau.
“It’s leaning toward the green tourism idea and using more public transportation,” said Rosendahl.
“There’s always more we can do, but I think as a city we’ve done a good job promoting what’s available within walking distance,” she added.
Kevin Clarke, owner of Uptown Looks Salon, said late trains often mean a little extra business at his shop a block east of the Amtrak station.
“In a way, I’m glad when they’re late. They have a little time to come over here,” said Clarke, who has been downtown for 27 years, including 15 at the current location.
“They are complaining (about late trains). That’s how I know who they are.”
Clarke said business travelers account for most of the Amtrak customers, adding that he keeps the train schedule on hand when possible.
Tom Page, manager of Epicures’ Choice Smoke Shop east of the Amtrak station, counts himself among the rail customers. He said travel by car to Chicago has become too expensive and time-consuming.
“I always take the train when I go to Chicago,” said Page, though he, too, said Amtrak delays often bring customers from across the street. “They’ll run down here and pick up a pack of cigarettes, but it’s not a big part of our business.”