* Special Meeting to Preserve Amtrak Trains in MI‏*

We Need Your Attendance
 Meeting Notice  

Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Department of Transportation

Members of the Subcommittee are:

Senators Hardiman, Bill – Kentwood (C) Cropsey, Alan L. – DeWitt (VC) and Anderson, Glenn S. – Westland (MVC)

 

Date: Friday, February 27, 2009

Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Place: Kent County Road Commission, 300 Monroe NW, Room 310, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503
Link to Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result.php?q1=300+Monroe+NW%2C+49503

Agenda:
• FY 2009-10 Department of Transportation Budget

• Road Funding Formula

• Amtrak

• And any other business to come properly before the Subcommittee

MARP will be testifying that the FY 2010 budget ($5.667 million) will leave Michigan standing at the station if it’s not increased to cover increases in capacity & frequency i.e. the second daily roundtrip between Chicago and Grand Rapids arriving before noon, departing back to Chicago in the evening and adding at least one more passenger car to the Blue Water train.

Joe Boardman, President and CEO states “As part of the stimulus bill signed by the president last week, we will receive $1.3 billion to make significant strides on capital programs, among other things, we’ll return to service 100 cars that are currently sidelined” (AMTRAK This Week Feb.23, 2009)

Michigan needs these cars which should be available at no cost to the state, for returning these cars to service. But if our legislators don’t act now what will the capital cost be in the future.

Please advise John Langdon at john-langdon@sbcglobal.net if you plan to attend.