(The Lansing State Journal posted the following story by James McCurtis Jr. on its websit eon July 2.)
LANSING, Mich. — Amtrak will continue running its two state-funded train lines through Dec. 31 with the understanding that MDOT will pay $7.1 million for the service next year, officials said Tuesday.
The railway lifted its July 1 deadline for a new contract deal and agreed to operate its Chicago-to-Toronto line, which runs through East Lansing, and its Chicago-to-Grand Rapids line.
“We will make sure the train service continues through the end of the year,” Amtrak spokeswoman Karina Van Veen said.
Ridership on the Chicago-to-Toronto route fell nearly 13 percent in a year, from 105,114 riders in 2001 to 91,714 in 2002, Van Veen said.
The East Lansing station served 26,719 customers in 2001, the latest year numbers were available. That’s about 5 percent of Amtrak’s Michigan travelers, railway officials said.
Amtrak had threatened to end its services unless the state paid it $7.1 million this fiscal year. Amtrak officials say they need the extra money to offset the higher cost of services.
But a $5.7 million cap on Amtrak’s funding from the state prevents the Michigan Department of Transportation from paying the railway more money.
The Legislature created the cap in 2001 after granting Amtrak $5.7 million – an increase from the $2 million the rail service received in 2000.
In May, the state Senate passed the transportation budget bill, which includes language to lift the cap for Amtrak and pay the railway $7.1 million. That bill is in the House Appropriations Committee.
No timetable has been set as to when the full state House will vote on it.
If the bill passes the House and Senate, Gov. Jennifer Granholm could either sign it into law or veto it.
“I don’t know (Granholm’s) position,” said Greg Bird, a spokesman for the state budget office. “We will have to take a look at the bill.”
If MDOT reaches a permanent deal with Amtrak, the money would come from the state’s $8.3 million comprehensive transportation fund.
That’s made up of revenue from the gas tax, vehicle registration fees and vehicle permit fees.
Amtrak and some legislators are optimistic the cap would be lifted in time to pay the railway for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
“We assume Granholm and the administration is OK with this,” said Wes Thorpe, spokesman for Rep. Lauren Hager, a St. Clair Republican who has many constituents in the Port Huron area relying on Amtrak.
Judy and Kent Thibaudeau of Williamston take the train twice a year to visit their son in the Chicago area and other relatives in the Toronto area.
“I’m relieved,” she said. “I just think it’s much easier to take the train both ways. I don’t like driving in Toronto, and I hate driving in Chicago.”