Feds fund $31.8 million for second Minneapolis-Chicago train

Rivertowns.net – September 25, 2020

The Great River Rail Commission announced Wednesday that the federal government has awarded a $31.8 million grant to fund capital improvements to make a second Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago train a reality. 

“This grant award reflects the confidence of the federal government in the merits of this project which is expected to increase passenger service by 124,000 trips annually, create jobs and generate significant economic growth in the corridor and the state of Minnesota," said Mark Vaughan, chairman of the GRRC. 

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Amtrak to reduce train stops in Wisconsin due to pandemic

Portage Daily Register – September 15, 2020

In October, Amtrak will reduce the number of stops in Portage, Wisconsin Dells and Columbus, as ridership decreases due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduction is part of a nationwide cut that was announced in June. At that time, Amtrak said it was reducing all Empire Builder stops to three times a week starting in October.

The reduced service will begin Oct. 19. The Empire Builder line currently runs daily from Chicago to Seattle, making stops in Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, La Crosse and Tomah.

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Amtrak releases plan to restore long-distance services

International Railway Journal - August 18, 2020

Amtrak has confirmed that the return to daily services along its routes will be determined by three metrics, with assessments according to these benchmarks scheduled to begin from February 15 2021:

• Public Health – Covid-19-related hospitalisation rates in areas served by the long-distance trains must appear stable or declining

• Future Demand – the number of available seat and room-miles booked in February for operating services in June 2021 must be comparable with at least 90% of tickets booked for those services in June 2020, taking account of the currently reduced timetable, and

• Current Performance – projected network ridership for autumn 2021 must be at least 90% of figures estimated in Amtrak’s 2021 financial year operating plan.

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