Passenger rail service between Chicago and Indianapolis might end before a new vendor gets the chance to take over the line and make good on its promises to dramatically improve service.
Last year, Indianapolis officials signed on for the one-year deal to subsidize the Amtrak line running between Indy and Chicago after Amtrak announced in 2012 that it would end its shorter routes, which meant Indiana’s last passenger line. Now they have announced they’re ending that subsidy.
“They have told me they are not interested in doing it next year, and take that as a final no,” said Bob Zier, director of multimodal program and planning for Indiana Department of Transportation.
Indianapolis’ announcement comes as the state tapped Corridor Capital LLC to take over the Amtrak line running between the two cities with stops along the way, including in Lafayette. Corridor Capital promised changes ranging from cleaner cars, modest food service, Wi-Fi, and on-time service — goals that Amtrak was supposed to have reached by this time in order to continue to receive state, county and city support.
“INDOT has worked very hard to secure this line. Indianapolis needs to step up,” Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton said when asked about Indianapolis’ decision. “It’s in the interest of the entire state. This can really help us grow.
“I think we’re all confident it can be self-sufficient once you get over the hump, but it will take a year-and-a-half to two years, and it will cost a little more with a private provider. I don’t think the rest of us can make up that difference.”
Losing Indianapolis’ $300,000 likely would end (that) passenger rail service in the state.