[OKC] FW: [PassRailOK, TX, KS] ACTION ALERT !!! LAST RUN OF HEARTLAND FLYER SEPTEMBER 30?

[Shauna Struby]

From: sfrr at aol.com [mailto:sfrr at aol.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 9:00 AM
To: EvanStair at PassengerRailOK.org
Subject: [PassRailOK, TX, KS] ACTION ALERT !!! LAST RUN OF HEARTLAND FLYER
SEPTEMBER 30? 

 

 

Amtrak Press Release ::: http://tinyurl.com/3bgbmtf
<http://tinyurl.com/3bgbmtf> 

 

LAST RUN OF HEARTLAND FLYER SEPTEMBER 30?  A House Congressional plan would
make September 30th the last run of the Heartland Flyer.  Amtrak’s fiscal
year begins October 1st.  The plan prohibits the use of federal funds
provided to Amtrak to fund any operating costs of state-supported trains
(see the Amtrak press release above).  While this plan is unlikely to pass
in the Senate, it is troubling to think there are still elements in the US
Congress that would even propose such an action.  

 

Please contact your US Representative immediately. Request that they not
approve this plan. 

 

1) Mention the economic edge Oklahoma and north Texas have due to the
operation of this passenger train.  Remember the Texas Transportation
Institute figures.  FY-2009 saw an $18 million after-the-farebox return on a
$3.95 million OK/TX state fund and approximately $2.6 million federal match.

2) Mention that without state supplemental service, Oklahoma would have no
Amtrak service, yet would still be paying into federal coffers as a donor
state.

3) Mention this will effectively end attempts to bridge the passenger rail
market gap between Kansas City and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  This will
have a great negative economic effect on the communities served by, and to
be potentially served by an expanded passenger rail network.

4) Mention that this will further slow the sluggish economy.

 


District 1 Rep. John Sullivan 202-225-2211
District 2 Rep. David Boren 202-225-2701
District 3 Rep. Frank Lucas 202-225-5565
District 4 Rep. Tom Cole 202-225-6165
District 5 Rep. James Lankford 202-225-2132


Thank you for your support,
Evan Stair
Executive Director
Passenger Rail Oklahoma
Passenger Rail Texas
Passenger Rail Kansas
www.PassengerRailOK.org
www.PassengerRailKS.org
www.PassengerRailTX.org
www.NorthFlyer.org

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