WisARP GENERAL MEETING in PORTAGE

TCMC TRAIN UPDATES and ADDITIONAL PASSENGER RAIL NEWS

March 26, 2019 – This Saturday, March 30, will mark the first WisARP General Meeting held in Portage, WI., an Empire Builder stop.  The location is Dino’s Restaurant in Portage with the first speaker scheduled to start at 10:00am.

The primary topic of this meeting will be updates and more information regarding the Twin Cities- Milwaukee- Chicago (TCMC) train, a second daily train along the Empire Builder route.  Portage would also be a stop for the TCMC train, potentially offering two daily Amtrak trains each direction daily.

This meeting is also a first, inviting members of the general public to attend for free during the morning session.  Pre-registration is required to insure adequate seating.  The morning session will feature Derrick James of Amtrak and Arun Rao of WisDOT.  Mr. James will be speaking about updates to Amtrak Midwest and it’s role in supporting the TCMC train.  Mr. Rao will be giving updates on the planning process of the TCMC train and current budget process in Madison.

Meeting Notice (2019 – March 30) FREE morning

A link to download the registration form is above.  Free attendees can forward the information to Wisarpwisc@gmail.com.  Those paying to enjoy lunch and the afternoon session can register online.  Location details are on the registration form.

For those staying for the afternoon, City of Portage Director of Business Planning & Development Steven Sobiek will be offering a presentation about Portage and it’s transportation history.  Jerry Ratliff from All Aboard Minnesota will update his state’s news on the TCMC train and an additional Amtrak train to Duluth/ Superior.

Check out WisARP on YouTube!  Search for WisARP Wisconsin.

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Did Gov. Evers Allocate Money for the TCMC Train?

March 15, 2019 – PRESS RELEASE for immediate release, prepared by Terry Brown.

As I’m sure you are aware, several weeks ago Governor Evers released his biennial budget.  The analysis began and several outlets have noted Line 18 of the Transportation section of the budget was aimed at passenger rail.

I’m certain most of these funds are for the Hiawatha, but not all.  I believe the intent for some of this money should go towards the TCMC train.

WisARP PR mar15 TCMC budget correction

The link above is a PDF file containing the full Press Release.  WisARP is asking everyone to please contact your Madison lawmakers and make them aware of this oversight.

Amtrak Hiawatha service boasts record ridership for 2018!!

March 12, 2019 – Yesterday the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) issued a press release trumpeting the record ridership on the Hiawatha train for 2018.  This is good news for Milwaukee, and good news for the efforts to increase the frequency of the Hiawatha to 10 trains per day.

The link below is the WisDOT press release for this story.  The site hosting the press release is UrbanMilwaukee.com.

https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/record-number-ride-amtrak-hiawatha/