Webmaster’s note: Unfortunately, this doesn’t apply to the Fort Wayne area, however, because of NIPRA’s efforts in our community, it is relevant.
News release from the Hoosier Environmental Council:
High-Speed Passenger Rail Programs Scheduled for Indiana Communities
Proposed Chicago to Cincinnati route would bring economic benefits, job opportunities, improved connectivity, energy savings and emission reductions to Indiana
(INDIANAPOLIS, July 26, 2012) – Hoosier Environmental Council will host free, public presentations about high-speed passenger rail in four Indiana communities – Greensburg, Rushville, Shelbyville and Crawfordsville – during the month of August. The presentations will highlight the proposed Chicago to Indianapolis to Cincinnati high-speed rail route including information on the economic and environmental benefits of the proposed Midwest high-speed rail network, the amenities associated with the proposed passenger rail system, and where Indiana currently stands in the passenger rail planning process.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library Meeting Room, 1110 E. Main St.
Greensburg, Ind.Monday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Rushville Public Library Meeting Room, 130 W. Third St.
Rushville, Ind.Wednesday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Shelby County Public Library, Carnegie East Wing (Meeting Room B), 57 W. Broadway St.
Shelbyville, Ind.Tuesday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Crawfordsville Public Library, Donnelley Room, 205 S. Washington St.
Crawfordsville, Ind.These four communities lie along or nearby the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, and would benefit from this planned 21st century transportation system. New, permanent jobs and economic development opportunities top the list of expected benefits from implementation of the Midwest high-speed rail system.
The project will bring more than 4,500 permanent jobs to Indiana, generate an estimated $86 million of additional taxable income, and bring $2.3-3.5 billion in user benefits to the state. Several businesses stand to benefit from development of a high-speed passenger rail network, in the form of increased product demand, improved productivity and travel time savings, and job opportunities.
Additional benefits include improved mobility and connectivity between major urban centers. Accelerating Indiana’s development of a passenger rail system would bring frequent, fast and reliable passenger rail service between Chicago, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. With continuing high gasoline prices, expanded passenger rail would provide families with energy savings and in turn, reduce statewide vehicle emissions.
Over the last five years, all intercity passenger routes serving Indiana experienced ridership increases above 10 percent with an impressive 85 percent growth in ridership between Indianapolis and Chicago.
These community events are following the recent release of a letter sent to gubernatorial candidates John Gregg and Mike Pence which urge greater state investment in passenger rail. The letters were sent by a broad-based coalition of state legislators, mayors, business leaders, and non-profit organizations. Hoosier Environmental Council is part of this statewide coalition.
About Hoosier Environmental Council
Founded in 1983, the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC) is the largest, statewide environmental policy organization in Indiana. HEC aims to set a new path for Indiana, embracing practices and policies that dramatically reduce the footprint of transportation, industry, commerce, and agriculture on the environment. Visit hecweb.org for more information.
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