Number
050089
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1630, the Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2005.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1630, the Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2005, which would provide Amtrak with $2 billion in annual funding for capital and operating expenses for 3 consecutive fiscal years, beginning with the 2006 federal fiscal year. This resolution also authorizes and directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to lobby for passage of H.R. 1630.
Body
Whereas, In 2004, Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, carried a record 25.1 million passengers, a 4.3% increase over 2003; and
Whereas, Amtrak provides Americans of all income levels, living in both rural and urban areas, with an alternative to travel by automobile and, where available, bus or airplane; and
Whereas, Amtrak has provided the financial and political framework for future high-speed rail corridor development in various parts of the nation, including the Midwest; and
Whereas, Amtrak currently serves Milwaukee with 16 trains daily and is a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting this city, as well as for Milwaukee residents traveling to Chicago and other destinations; and
Whereas, In 2004, the downtown Milwaukee Amtrak station handled 438,220 passengers --- 413,523 on the Milwaukee-to-Chicago Hiawatha line and 24,697 on the long-distance Empire Builder line; and
Whereas, Ridership on the Hiawatha line reached an all-time monthly high of 46,202 passengers in March, 2005 (a 23% increase from March, 2004), further evidence of the popularity and importance of Amtrak service to Milwaukee; and
Whereas, For Fiscal Year 2005, Amtrak is funded at the level of $1.2 billion - the same as 2004; and
Whereas, For Fiscal Year 2006 (which b...
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