HomeMy WebLinkAboutMontana Association of Railroad Passengers
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MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
2110 Wingate Lane Billings, Montana 59102
Working for the citizens of Montana and dedicated to
RETAINING, IMPROVING, AND INCREASING
RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE
Dear Friends
I am enclosing a letter informing you of what we have been doing and what has happened so far
with getting the southern route established. As you will notice our objective is not to get the
North Coast Limited/Hiawartha returned as it was back in the 70's. We believe it is our best
interest to push for a "corridor" train to run between Billings and Missoula. As fare as we know
we would get better federal support as a corridor train and not an inter-city. Then we could
expand the route step by step as you will notice in the newsletter.
We believe this co-op that is being formed will enhance out efforts as we journey down the
tracks (not road). With all the different business and etc involved tin getting things done here in
Montana we feel being part of, and participating in, will be a great asset. Please give us your
thoughts.
We are asking if you did not receive this by-email please if you have one, send it to us so we can
reduce the printing and postage costs.
We really need more input from you as we are having different things happen from different
areas. If I do not have your email now, then you do miss some of the mail I get and pass on from
a lot of different sources.
Dues are due at $30.00 beginning the first of September, but you can send now to the addresss
above, which would be appreciated.
Thank you,
RAILROAD PASSENGERS - MTARP
DEDICATED TO:
RETAINING, IMPROVING AND INCREASING
RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE IN MONTANA
JULY 2009
2110 WINGATE LANE BILLINGS, MONTANA 59102 406-652-1339
email - iimabiff a,bresnan.net
Because of our efforts over the past nine years we have met many people who are very interested in
our project. The number of those who support us are not as many as who are interested in the cause, which
is typically true. But we got a surprise a little over a year ago wanting us to attend a meeting in Mammoth to
discuss "Transportation issues" common to the states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. Since then we have
maintained contact with the group leaders. Just over a month ago we received an invitation to join them in
their efforts to create a cooperative. This co-op would include business, local and state governments, transit
companies, airports, tourist attractions, motels, hotels and eating establishments in the greater Yellowstone
business district that would have interests in Yellowstone Park. This would also include rail passenger service
between Missoula and Billings, Billings and Denver and the old Pioneer Route. So John VanAken (who went
with me on our first visit), and I went to West Yellowstone Holiday Inn for a full day of talks and discussions.
The planner in Laurel was with us also. It was very interesting and very well organized. We can see where
they are interested in having our group as part of the Co-op as it was felt by all, that our routes will come to
pass some day.
We were split into six groups in the afternoon with a facilitator assigned to each group. We were
assigned to the 'multi-model' groups with two other fellows, who were with 1- airport and 2- with airline
business. I really feel that the group was started sometime ago to get more business for the buses, charters,
van transit, taxies, and some business people. I told them that we can't do that because we don't have a
business, so with the concept of rail passenger service our group, could only pat ourselves on the back, and
say well done, but there is not an increase in our pay because 0 x ? is still zero. I believe that if each of you
would reach out to your friends and business associates to join our group we would have a lot more to push,
from our side. I do think that there are a lot of those at the conference now who are more interested than
before, so we could wind up with members from Wyoming and Idaho as well as more from Bozeman. Some
of the points brought up at the Multi Model gathering was if, the Pioneer Route was re-established along
with the Southern Route in Montana -North Coast Limited/Hiawatha - or as we call it the Rockies Route, we
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would create Hubs for Multi Model stations. These would be those stations that would have access to trains,
`buses„ planes and other types of transit opportunities. These Hubs would be Pocatello, Bozeman, Livingston,
Billings/Laurel and Ralston. Ralston would come into the picture if we get the Missoula/Billings corridor
route established in Southern Montana and another step towards more service in the West, a Billings/Denver
route. There is talk around from others for a Texas-New Mexico/Denver route and others talk of a
Edmonton/Shelby route. One of the items brought to the table is that no matter what mode of
transportation is used the changes in our society is dictating provisions be made for our extra items we
normally have with us when we drive a car - bikes, skis, snacks, extra clothing, and yes even accommodations
for our pets. I had suggested to some rail workers, some time ago that the lower deck on some of the
passenger trains could be created into kennels for the animals. We need to think outside the box and look
to the future traveling citizens. They ended the meeting by asking the group to pick a name for the co-op.
None of the those stated was acceptable for those in attendance. On the way home I came up with a name
so called and emailed a couple of the staff my suggestion. It is WIMTAN which stands for "Wyoming Idaho
Montana Transportation Alliance Network".
I talked -with some of staff from Bozeman stating we are looking at having our annual meeting in
Bozeman the first Saturday in October. I have received back from one of them that they have secured a
place for us on that date. We need to know how many are interested to attend, because if we determine
that our attendance will be more than this place will hold, then we will have to get another place.
I am of the opinion that we will not get on track this year, because Amtrak keeps pushing the study of
our route back and back. We have not gotten one bit of info about the study supposedly being done
according to the Amendment to the Allocation of Funds to Amtrak. by Sen Tester. The Bill that would have
given a group (Rail Authority) the working tools to determine how, what, where, and when to work on which
part of the line, and would have given us a tool to work on convincing BNSF to lease/sell to the State of
Montana the rights to the tracks between Great Falls and Helena, which we would have agreed to use those
tracks only for passenger rail service and no freight for 99 years, was vetoed by our Governor on the last day
and we couldn't muster enough to override the veto. The vote was within a couple of votes and we would
have won and been down the track a long ways.
. As you can see there are a lot of 'ifs' and a lot of discussion about a lot of subjects. The question is do
you want to be part of this transportation revolution? There is a lot of things that will happen in the next few
years and we need help in getting the best for all of the Montana citizens. Will you step up to the plate and
be part of this revolution or will you just sit back and let it happen and then complain that it isn't what you
wanted and what you thought was going to happen. Join us now!
Our annual meeting will be October 3, the FIRST Saturday in October in Bozeman. If you are interested let
me know so I can make sure you find out where in Bozeman.
Montana/Wyoming Association of Railroad Passengers
James Green, Chairman of Board; Susan Wahl, Secretary; Carol Schaff, Treasurer; Warren McGee, Trustee;
John VanAken Executive Treasurer.
DBA: Montana Association of Railroad Passengers
James Green, President & CEO; Rick VanAken, Vice-President; Susan Wahl, Recording Secretary; and Carol
Schaff, Recording Treasurer