(The following story by Jared S. Hopkins appeared on the Times-News website on November 10.)
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Two members of Idaho’s Congressional delegation are among a group of lawmakers who recently signed a letter to the chief of Amtrak, asking him to expedite a study that could lead to the return of passenger train service in Idaho.
In the Oct. 31 letter, U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson and Sen. Mike Crapo asked Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant to speed up a study on the return of passenger rail service through Idaho and nearby areas.
The Pioneer passenger route – which serviced cities in Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming – was discontinued in 1997 because it wasn’t profitable. Shoshone was the Magic Valley stop on the Pioneer line.
“We have heard from families in our states who have been waiting more than a decade for rail service to return,” the letter reads. “We believe that there is substantial interest in reinstating the Pioneer Route in our states and returning this economic and transportation network to our communities and neighborhoods.”
Crapo has pushed to study passenger rail service before. He helped establish a congressional task force several years ago, and last year he met with Amtrak West President Gil Mallery.
Amtrak has seen an increase in passengers from last year, including nearly 14 percent in July, according to a press release from Crapo’s office.
The Amtrak reauthorization legislation, $13 billion over five years, was signed into law by President Bush last month.
“Our nation’s transportation infrastructure system faces real challenges in the coming years, and overcoming them will require a willingness to invest in all modes of transportation,” Simpson said in a statement to the Times-News. “Passenger rail has proved a worthwhile investment in countries all over the world, and I am pleased that we have the opportunity to make rail travel a reality for Idahoans again.”
According to Crapo’s release, Kummant promised to visit Idaho if Congress passed an Amtrak funding bill.
“I will make it a personal priority of mine to visit your home state and learn firsthand of the opportunities that exist in Idaho and other western states for expanded intercity passenger rail service,” Kummant wrote.
Business officials have said in the past that additional train service could increase commerce in the Magic Valley.
The Oregon lawmakers who joined Simpson and Crapo in sending the letter were Democrats Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Republican Rep. Greg Walden.