Posted on 11/11/2010 9:32:24 AM PST by iowamark
While officials from Iowa City to Washington, D.C., have lauded a proposed rail from Iowa City to Chicago as a way to boost a struggling economy, some argue the rail simply will not work.
"I think there are a number of demographic and economic hurdles to overcome before [the rail] would be viable," said Sam Staley, the director of urban and land-use policy at Reason Foundation in Los Angeles, Calif.
Staley was part of a 2006 study on the economic effects of numerous rail lines, including the Hiawatha line between Chicago and Milwaukee, which found that rails might not result in growth.
"There is really little objective evidence to show a clear connection between intercity rail stations and economic development," Staley said.
In fiscal 2008, 41 of Amtrak's 44 routes lost money, with total losses equaling $1.1 billion, according to Pew's Subsidyscope.org.
And the rail service to Chicago would take longer than driving, flying, or taking the bus. It's also more expensive than traveling by car or bus.
But several passenger-rail officials nationwide said they are pleased with their rail service.
Amtrak's Heartland Flyer transports roughly 82,000 passengers annually back and forth from Oklahoma City, Okla., and Forth Worth, Texas.
Since the first modern train rolled down the tracks in 1999, more than 730,000 people have made the trip, said Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokeswoman Brenda Perry.
"I think it's safe to say that it's very popular and continues to grow," she said.
This is something Iowa City officials said they hope to acquire.
"Passenger rail could ultimately create a new gateway into Iowa City," said Kelly McCann, the director of communications for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Others argue that the alternative to a passenger rail has been here for years — the bus routes. According to a study by the American Bus Association, motor coaches provide 184 passenger miles per gallon — more than double the 86 miles per gallon of commercial rail services, the second most fuel-efficient on the list.
Eugene Hibbs, a former agency sales manager for Greyhound, said the train would be a "gross mismanagement and gross misspending of public tax dollars."
And with this year's election, leadership changes at the state level have led to different views on passenger rail services. Scott Walker, the next governor of Wisconsin, stated his opposition to high-speed rail in the state during his campaign.
But U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood made it clear in a letter sent to Walker on Tuesday that funds were for rails only.
Hibbs said returning the funds, a $230 million grant, would benefit the state of Iowa.
"Here's a quarter billion right here we can save," Hibbs said.
According to the Associated Press, Gov.-elect Terry Branstad said he'll examine the proposal, which Gov. Chet Culver heavily touted in office.
But McCann said she is confident that he will also see value in the rails.
"We have every reason to believe that once he studies the issue he will conclude that rail is a good investment for our state and offers value to our residents," she said.
It is worthless unless they are going to ship hogs to the slaughter houses.
So, where is the market research that shows sufficient numbers of Chicagoans even moderately interested in going to Iowa City?
Humorous on its face...
The University of Iowa in Iowa City has several thousand Chicago area students. More significantly, eastern Iowa has become home to many thousands of Chicago people fleeing crime and displaced by the demolition of housing projects. Unfortunately, these people bring their Chicago voting habits with them.
I would guess that ridership numbers from Chicago will directly relate to how easy it is to qualify for a welfare check in Iowa.
Iowa City is the new Schaumburg
Willie Green honorary ping
interesting. I was born and raised in eastern Iowa.
interesting. I was born and raised in eastern Iowa.
interesting. I was born and raised in eastern Iowa.
interesting. I was born and raised in eastern Iowa.
Dumb question - Why Iowa City as the western terminus, and not Des Moines? The latter is a larger city, and not that much further.
Let them end it in Iowa City. We don’t want it here in Des Moines.
Back when some childhood friends of mine were attending U of I, they joked that the first thing you did when encountering a stranger on campus was to ask how things were going in Oak Park.
Mr. niteowl77
Now the government will do it and reap all the windfall profits, lessen the tax burden on everyone, balance their budgets!
When will private enterprise learn how to operate profitably like government?
< /sarcasm >
Where were you born and raised, btw. :)
Personally, they should build a 20 foot wall topped with concertina, but that’s just me.
They want to eventually extend the service to Des Moines and Omaha. The Iowa Interstate, former Rock Island Line, rail bed needs considerable upgrade.
2. Amtrak's Heartland Flyer transports roughly 82,000 passengers annually back and forth from Oklahoma City, Okla., and Forth Worth, Texas.".......Since the first modern train rolled down the tracks in 1999, more than 730,000 people have made the trip, said Oklahoma Department of Transportation spokeswoman Brenda Perry......."I think it's safe to say that it's very popular and continues to grow," she said."
By reading directly from point 1. to point 2., it's apparent that neither the reporters nor the spokespersons for this shindig can think rationally. The question is not how many passengers rode the particular train line, or how "popular" it is. The two most important questions are how much of the full cost did those passengers pay and how much of the full cost had to be subsidized by their fellow citizens?
“Passenger rail could ultimately create a new gateway into Iowa City,” said Kelly McCann, the director of communications for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.”
If they are so all-fired sure about the amazing economic benefits of this, then by all means IOWA CITY AND THE BUSINESSES IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF IOWA CITY SHOULD JOINTLY RAISE THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT - ALL BY THEMSELVES.
If this was a possibly profitable rail route private enterprise would already be building it. Since they are not, there is no need to waste my tax dollars on it.
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