LANSING ---- In the face of a White House proposal to cut federal funding to Amtrak, State Representative Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) today pledged to fight to keep the trains running in Michigan, especially those with stops in Dearborn.
Rep. Polidori called on Michigan's Congressional delegation to oppose the White House's efforts to eliminate Amtrak funding.
"Amtrak is a vital link for Michigan residents and cutting any part of its network will have wide-ranging effects," Rep. Polidori said. "Public transportation like Amtrak serves many people in our state. It's an affordable way to travel. It reduces our reliance on foreign oil. It reduces traffic. And it has a positive environmental impact. We should support Amtrak, instead of derailing it."
Rep. Polidori's district is home to two Amtrak stations: at 16121 Michigan Ave. and at Greenfield Village at 20900 Oakwood Blvd.
Amtrak operates three lines in Michigan: the Blue Water, which offers round-trip service between Port Huron and Chicago; the Wolverine, which runs between the southeastern part of the state and Chicago, with stops in the Dearborn stations; and, the Pere Marquette, which travels daily between Grand Rapids and Chicago.
The proposed federal budget released last week by the White House calls for eliminating operating funding for Amtrak nationwide. However, it would still set aside $360 million to run trains between Boston and Washington, D.C.
"Amtrak is a great way for our families in Dearborn to travel and see our state," Rep. Polidori said. "We must not allow services to end. For many people who don't have cars, Amtrak is the best option for affordable, comfortable travel. On many routes, an Amtrak ticket often costs less than the gas for a car ride."
Last year, the state of Michigan provided $7.1 million to support the operations of two daily train services, the Blue Water and the Pere Marquette.
Ridership numbers for Amtrak's three Michigan lines increased dramatically last year: the Blue Water jumped 16.7 percent, from 80,890 in FY 2003 to 94,378 in FY 2004; the Pere Marquette increased 19.6 percent, from 73,392 to 87,767; and, the Wolverine went up 12.2 percent, from 326,367 to 366,291.
In Fiscal Year 2004, Amtrak employed 133 Michigan residents and total wages for Amtrak employees living in the state was $6.4 million. In addition, Amtrak during the same period purchased more than $2.8 million of goods and services from small businesses and other vendors in Michigan in communities stretching from Port Huron to Niles and elsewhere.
"My message to Congress is simple: Let's keep Amtrak running," Rep. Polidori said.