Advocating for improvements to passenger rail in the Midwest is at the heart of the MIPRC's purpose.
Midwestern states have developed two complementary plans, the Midwest Regional Rail System (MWRRS) and the Ohio Hub, to significantly improve passenger rail in the Midwest and link the region to the improvements being planned in the Northeast. These plans are not just paper dreams - they are the result of years of planning, and significant investment by the states.
But they need political will and funding at the federal level to become a reality. Passenger rail is a critical component of a modern, multi-modal transportation system — and needs to have financial support, unified policy development and oversight similar to that afforded to our air, highway and mass-transit modes.
Stay on this page to learn more about MIPRC's key advocacy points and what states are doing. Click on the links below to learn more about the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, the Ohio Hub, Amtrak and what is happening at the federal level:
The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative
The Ohio Hub
Amtrak
Federal Updates
The MIPRC - an interstate compact commission of Midwestern state legislators, governors and their designees - believes that preservation and expansion of our existing passenger rail system is essential. The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission supports the substantive passenger rail legislation passed by both chambers and to encourage policies and funding to increase passenger rail service.
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Both H.R. 6003 and S. 294 would reauthorize Amtrak and provide for the first multi-year federal program to provide funding for passenger rail improvements and equipment investments.
The MIPRC calls for support of the H.R. 6003/S. 294 conference committee report when it is finalized, as long as it contains authorization of substantive funding for state capital grants at an 80/20 federal/state match.
Additionally, within the FY 2009 transportation appropriations legislation, the MIPRC calls on Congress to:
- support full funding of Amtrak at $1.6 billion;
- support inclusion of at least $100 million for capital assistance to states for intercity passenger rail projects; and
- provide $114 million for Amtrak labor settlements, as recommended by Presidential Emergency Board 242.
The MIPRC calls for additional federal funds dedicated to overhauling more passenger rail cars and purchasing new equipment. As gas prices continue to rise, states are planning to develop their passenger rail corridors and increase train frequencies, on existing corridors. However, there is a desperate shortage of passenger cars needed for additional corridor service. Amtrak's capital plan includes refurbishing 12 stored cars in FY 2009; there are approximately 65 Amfleet I cars, that if restored could be returned to service. Click here for press release.
The MIPRC also advocates for implementation of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative and the Ohio Hub Plans.
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A substantive state-federal partnership is necessary to make the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative and the Ohio Hub plans a reality because of the capital investments needed. But states are increasingly taking the lead in developing plans to bring expanded passenger rail service to their communities, corridor by corridor.
Fourteen states now provide direct operating subsidies to Amtrak for increased passenger rail service, including Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin in the Midwest. While ridership on Amtrak’s service overall has been growing, the rise in the number of those taking the train on shorter, regional routes – which are mainly state-supported – has been particularly dramatic. In the Midwest, ridership on these shorter routes increased 40 percent overall between FY 2004 and FY 2007.
Ridership on corridor (short-distance) service in the Midwest
Service, finance and operating characteristics of state-supported Amtrak trains (2008)
Firstline Midwest report on state efforts to expand passenger rail service (March 2007)
Midwestern states are also asking Amtrak and other entities to conduct feasibility studies for improving, increasing and starting new service on corridors:
Chicago-Rockford-Galena-Dubuque (2007)
Chicago-Quad Cities (2008)
Missouri Freight and Passenger Rail Capacity Analysis (2007)
Chicago-Quad Cities extension to Iowa City
The MIPRC is working with each of its member states to help move passenger rail plans and ideas forward. Beginning in the fall of 2007, the commission is holding meetings in each of its member states to review the history and progress of passenger rail plans in the state and to develop a plan to increase passenger rail accessibility and advocacy.