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Two years after the state of Illinois and Amtrak collaborated to bring more train service to Carbondale, passengers could be left with fewer travel options than they had before.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's $1.5 billion state budget cut proposal would eliminate three Amtrak train routes, including the Saluki and Illini lines. If the Legislature approves the budget this month, Carbondale passengers would be left with only the City of New Orleans line, which departs Chicago at 8 p.m. and Carbondale at 3:16 a.m.
Since the state Legislature approved a $24.3 million contact with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Amtrak in 2006, there has been a 67 percent increase in passengers taking the Carbondale to Chicago route. From Oct. 2007 to May 2008, nearly 180,000 passengers have used the two lines alone, said Marc Magliari, a spokesman for Amtrak.
"This shows it is an effective and efficient way to get to Carbondale," said David Gross, executive director of government affairs for SIU.
As travel costs rise across the country, many residents and officials worry the reduction of lines would further isolate Carbondale and the university.
Chicago resident Marlyin Blazys said she uses the route frequently to visit family in Carbondale and is concerned about the travel options she would be left with after the cuts.
She said taking the train is much easier because it is less expensive than driving and allows time to sit back relax and enjoy the scenery. Every time she uses the service it is always packed, especially when school is in session, she said.
"If they cut the lines it worries me what the college kids will do for transportation," Blazys said.
Officials at SIUC are also concerned about what impact the cuts could have on the already progressively diminishing enrollment at the university.
Gross said the university was proud to have a train line named after the mascot and if it is taken away SIUC will not only lose a great marketing tool, but also lose students that do not have cars and solely depend on Amtrak to travel.
Gross also said Amtrak has become a significant way of travel for not just students, but state workers and other business people. Gross said state officials such as Sen. Dick Durbin would lobby to fight the cuts.
Magliari said officials at Amtrak are trying to have a positive outlook on this situation and is prepared for whatever the outcome may be. There are not any set plans if the cut was to occur to raise tickets prices or add more cars to accommodate passengers, he said.
"No matter what happens, we have no intentions to stop continuing service," Magaliari said.
Though the Saluki and Illini lines are extremely popular among students and residents across the state, there is a desperate need to modify the current budget, said Michael Claffey spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Claffey said no one wants this cut to occur, but the $2 billion hole in the state's budget must be brought back into balance some way.
The budget cut has already been passed by the Senate and now just needs approval from the House. Claffey said the final decision would take effect in July 2009.
Jenn Lofton can be reached at 536-3311 ext 273 or jlofton@siu.edu.
