LIGHT RAIL, RAPID TRANSIT, AND COMMUTER RAIL NEWS Reverts to Amtrak Hoosier State The Hoosier State rolled its final
miles under the auspices of Iowa Pacific Holdings on February 28, ending an experiment that began in July 2015 with the private operator responsible for providing equipment, maintenance, and marketing for the four-days-a-week service between Chicago and India- napolis. According to a report in the Northwest Indiana Times, Iowa Pacif- ic’s contract had initially provided a $255,000 monthly subsidy from the state along with an additional $21,000 from five communities served by the train. INDOT would have received 25 percent of any operating profits. While Iowa Pacific’s operation brought increased ridership thanks to aggres- sive marketing and enhanced ameni- ties such as wifi and meals prepared on board by a chef, the short-term growth was not enough to keep pace with expenses. When a request for additional subsidy was turned down by INDOT, the announcement was made at the end of January that Iowa Pacific would bow out at the end of February.
The Hoosier State was inaugurat-
ed back in 1980 following the cancel- lation of the National Limited in 1979, which isolated Indianapolis as well as Amtrak’s Beech Grove repair shops from the national system. The Cardinal was re-routed to provide service on days the Hoosier State did not operate. Between 1999 and 2003, the Hoosier State was extended to Lexington, Ky., and became the Kentucky Cardinal. The future of the Hoosier State seemed
in jeopardy when the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 put the responsibility for funding of routes under 750 miles on state agencies. A last-minute deal put together in 2013 kept the service running, but Indiana immediately began searching for alter- native operators, which led to the unique agreement with Iowa Pacific. Advocates were hoping IPH’s success would make the case for increased service. As this issue went to press, Amtrak assured passengers a seamless transi- tion in operation, but made no assuranc- es if any of the enhanced amenities that brought more riders to the train would be making a comeback. —O.M.V.
Denver RTD Opens R Line to Aurora
A special grand opening ceremony was
held on February 24 to inaugurate the new RTD R Line. Denver’s newest light rail line brings service right through the heart of suburban Aurora, Colo. The 10.5-mile line connects the existing track at Nine Mile Station up I-225 to the Peoria Station on the University of Colorado A Line commuter rail. The new R Line provides easy connections to the A Line and the H Line light rail exten- sion, making it easier than ever to get to the airport, the Denver Tech Center or downtown Denver. As part of the new service, H Line service was extend- ed from Nine Mile Station to Florida Station allowing for convenient connec- tions to downtown Denver.
Ponders Ways to Expand Capital Metro’s Red Line in Austin,
Austin Capital Metro
Texas, has gone into service over a stretch of former Southern Pacific track- age running from Llano to Giddings. The 32-mile system was approved by voters
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