Finally, after years of "it's going to happen," we are getting rail service between Iowa City and Chicago. I am proud that our Iowa governor, Chet Culver, has worked hard to make this a reality. Our Iowa City elected officials and Chamber of Commerce see passenger trains as nothing but positive. The front page of the local newspaper today talked of plans to make these trains "Green" (environmentally sound).
While I totally support sound transportation alternatives in our future, I am dismayed by the many online responses to our local newspaper (and Iowa City is a progressive--I'd like to believe--college town). People write: 1) this will be a tremendous waste of taxpayer money, $300 million a year and it will cost a family of four $400 to go to Chicago round-trip; 2) the Mega-Bus will take you there for $21 and it has wi-fi and movies; 3) this is only political grandstanding. Others write it will only bring the bad elements from the big city to our small city, but that's ludicrous and not worthy of a reply.
I want to be a voice of rebuttal to the naysayers in our community. I think passenger trains are an economic benefit, and as for the subsidies - do people think highways are cheap? What is the cost to rebuild a mile of interstate? Iowa has always been a "build more highways" state, but that's not so realistic, and we're struggling to maintain what we have.
Does anyone have suggestions for being an advocate of passenger rail and refuting the negative comments? I will appreciate your help and support.
Thank you - Michael, Iowa City, IA
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midlifemalenurse Finally, after years of "it's going to happen," we are getting rail service between Iowa City and Chicago. I am proud that our Iowa governor, Chet Culver, has worked hard to make this a reality. Our Iowa City elected officials and Chamber of Commerce see passenger trains as nothing but positive. The front page of the local newspaper today talked of plans to make these trains "Green" (environmentally sound). While I totally support sound transportation alternatives in our future, I am dismayed by the many online responses to our local newspaper (and Iowa City is a progressive--I'd like to believe--college town). People write: 1) this will be a tremendous waste of taxpayer money, $300 million a year and it will cost a family of four $400 to go to Chicago round-trip; 2) the Mega-Bus will take you there for $21 and it has wi-fi and movies; 3) this is only political grandstanding. Others write it will only bring the bad elements from the big city to our small city, but that's ludicrous and not worthy of a reply. I want to be a voice of rebuttal to the naysayers in our community. I think passenger trains are an economic benefit, and as for the subsidies - do people think highways are cheap? What is the cost to rebuild a mile of interstate? Iowa has always been a "build more highways" state, but that's not so realistic, and we're struggling to maintain what we have. Does anyone have suggestions for being an advocate of passenger rail and refuting the negative comments? I will appreciate your help and support. Thank you - Michael, Iowa City, IA
First, were opponents comparing r/t for 4 with a 1-way? That would be $50 1-way by Amtrak which is higher than comparable Illinois fares and well in excess of the $29 average from projected $2.2M annual revenue and 76,100 annual passengers. Maybe Megabus is still cheaper, assuming the $21 fare is accurate; but the cost for 4 would be $168 compared to $232 for Amtrak. (If a Family Fare plan applied with 1/2-fare for a spouse/partner and 1/4-fare for children under 16; the cost would be only $116!)
Second, Iowa Operating Expenses are $2.3M annually according to the Amtrak feasibility study, not $300M! The $32.5M in Iowa capital costs represent less than $1.1M annually over 30 years. The service is possible because of the incremental cost and economy in scale of extension from the Quad Cities (Moline, IL).
Amtrak has power outlets and is going to wi-fi. As far as I'm concerned, movies can be unwelcome noise.
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