| Welcome to Trainz Commuter Rail. We hope you enjoy your visit. You are currently here as a guest, so you can not see everything. It is our mission to bring you free quality content for Auran's Trainz Railroad simulator. We have tons of content that you gain access to by becoming a member. You also gain access to a friendly community and helpful support staff. By registering you gain all of the following:
|
| Support growing for 'Chicago Flyer' | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: March 24 2009, 02:25 PM (76 Views) | |
| Gandalf | March 24 2009, 02:25 PM Post #1 |
|
Head Moderator, Computer Tech
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- A week after a supportive crowd met about proposed passenger rail service from Iowa City to Chicago, more than 1,000 people signed up to become members of a Facebook group supporting the grassroots effort. The Facebook group, "I Support Iowa City Rail to Chicago," includes many University of Iowa alumni and Eastern Iowa residents. "Facebook allows us to transcend the boundaries of the community," said Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Nancy Quellhorst. "It documents the depth and the breadth of the supporters." The chamber is lobbying for passenger railroad service from Iowa City to Chicago via the Quad Cities. The "Chicago Flyer," operated by Amtrak, would take almost five hours to get from Iowa City to Chicago with a one-way rate of about $45. Eventually, it could extend west to Des Moines and then link with more routes in Omaha, Neb. The primary goal right now is to build the coalition as a way to show interest and support the feasibility study, Quellhorst said. The Facebook group allows for exponential growth of support and efficient communication with supporters, she said. "It's been a diverse representation," she said. "We've been pleasantly surprised by how quickly people responded." Proponents say now is the time for this project because of fluctuating gas prices, Eastern Iowa's economic recovery from the 2008 floods, Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics and the $9.3 billion set aside for passenger rail in the economic stimulus bill. Amtrak and chamber officials estimate annual ridership at 120,000 to 187,000 people and say it could create 1,000 jobs in Iowa. Track improvements in Iowa would cost $32.5 million, and Iowa's annual operating support is a projected $1.6 million. Quellhorst said facts about the project and recent news are available both on the Facebook group page and www.ICRailNow.com. She said she hopes people who join the group also sign on as official supporters via the link on www.ICRailNow.com or www.iowacityarea.com. A list of official supporters is being put together for the lobbying effort for funds for the project, she said. (The preceding article by Rachel Gallegis was published March 21, 2009, by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.) March 24, 2009 |
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Railroad News · Next Topic » |




![]](http://z3.ifrm.com/65/15/0/p63495/pip_reloadedend.png)


3:25 AM Jul 11