Join the discussion on the following article:
Officials, public voice support for Chicago-Rockford service
“Environmental Studies” and “Environmental Impact Statements” seem to have won over “Common Sense” and cost a lot of time and money. The EPA loves you!
Train or no train, I too say “Rockford? Really?”.
Not only will this bring Amtrak service to this area but Metra will be able to expand northwest out of the Elgin area. It is a WIN WIN situation.
Some of us would say “Chicago? Really?” Nothing against Chicago specifically, but not everyone wants to live in a major city.
Not meaning to pick on Ms. Fellars, but if the lack of a train is costing her $400 per day, would she be willing to pay, say, $200 per day to support such an operation? If a couple of hundred Rockford businesses would be willing to do that the need for state funding would be largely eliminated.
At least it sounds like someone there is interested. In Kansas City the NIMBYs completely ruined expansion of the light rail project currently under construction. Now we’re stuck with just a 3-mile “demonstration” light rail road.
Just dont see the business case for a $223M Rockford train. Now Ohare to Janesville, Madison, WI Dells, Eau Claire, MSP? That would get some riders. Maybe light rail from Rockford to Janesville?
$223 million for one train per day, really. Plus the station is in the decaying downtown, no station on the east side of Rockford, why???
The state is in really bad financial shape. Expand Metra west from Big Timber, not Amtrak.
Illinoisans wanted Republicans, they got Republicans, that means no trains. Don’t act all surprised now.