(The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel posted the following article on its website on May 2.)
CUDAHY — A proposal to extend Chicago’s Metra commuter trains from Kenosha to Milwaukee, Racine and the southern suburbs drew strong support – but also scattered opposition – at the last of four public hearings Thursday.
Of about 65 people at Cudahy City Hall, 13 of 15 speakers backed the $152 million plan endorsed by a Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission study committee. Together, the four hearings drew more than 400 people, and all but a few of the 88 speakers supported the plan, the study panel’s chairman, Fred Patrie, said.
Rosemary Potter, executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Coalition for Transit Now, called the commuter rail plan a rare example of regional cooperation, drawing together diverse elements such as the Sierra Club and developers.
The hearings also showed a split among light rail opponents. Jeff Marker, president of Against Light Electric Rail Transit, argued against commuter rail on the same grounds as light rail, saying it would cost too much money and draw too few riders.
But Kevin Walker, vice president of Marker’s group, said running full-sized trains on existing tracks is a better use of tax money than building new light rail or guided electric bus systems. Walker said he is leading another organization, the Working Group on Transportation, that supports commuter rail lines throughout the Milwaukee area.
Setting up a commuter rail system would require approval from elected officials, and, if they agree, actual service is probably still about four years off, Patrie said.