GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – President Biden’s new infrastructure plan includes $80 billion specifically for rail.
If Congress provides the funding, Amtrak hopes to expand its rail service to places like Green Bay.
“Personally, if I can ride a train, I’m going on the train,” National Railroad Museum director of education Bob Lettenberger said.
When Amtrak took over train routes in 1971, it needed to make a profit. But making a profit meant stopping marginal routes with less traffic, one of those routes being Green Bay.
Lettenberger tells FOX 11 a passenger train offers residents another option for transportation.
“It will give us another means of transportation, an alternative to the highways and to airplanes. It will serve new demographics, whether that be age, whether that be reason for travel for business or for leisure. It’ll also give another economic option.”
On The other side, in statement Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) feels this money could be better spent elsewhere.
“Amtrak has been operating in the red for years, and giving the company billions of dollars to expand its services – many of which have already proven to be unsuccessful – will only leave them even more unprofitable and more reliant on taxpayer dollars. This money would be much better served actually fixing our roads, bridges, and ports.”
If Amtrak wants to return to Green Bay, Lettenberger says Green Bay will need a working train station. And will also need train tracks to use in the area.
“Amtrak does not with one exception does not own its track. They’re a tenant on the railroads that they operate over.”
Lettenberger says Amtrak would need to collaborate with railways and the Department Of Transportation when it comes to infrastructure planning.
Amtrak’s plan for growth is set to take place over the next 15 years.
The company says it needs significant government funding to make it happen.
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