SR-200, As Adopted by Senate, September 25, 2008

            Substitute for Senate Resolution No. 200

            A resolution to memorialize Congress and the President to support additional funding to expand Amtrak's capacity and routes in Michigan.

            Whereas, Ridership has increased 47 percent on all three Michigan Amtrak routes in the last six years. The Wolverine route, from Pontiac through Detroit to Chicago, increased its passenger load 2.5 percent in 2007 alone. The state-supported Blue Water route between Port Huron and Chicago saw increased ridership of 3 percent in 2007. Ridership on the state-supported Pere Marquette route between Grand Rapids and Chicago increased 2.8 percent. All three corridors experienced sold-out trains in 2007, some on a regular basis, which may have limited their true earning potential. The trains contributed $500,000 of unanticipated ticket income to the state of Michigan; and

            Whereas, The trend of increasing passenger numbers continues in 2008. Over the first ten months of the fiscal year, Pere Marquette ridership is up 9.8 percent and Blue Water ridership has increased 6.5 percent. Revenues have grown as well, from 4.5 to 9.2 percent. These trends over the last six years suggest continued record numbers of passengers but less than potential revenue because of limited capacity, as witnessed by frequent sold-out conditions; and

            Whereas, Amtrak employs 114 Michigan residents and pays over $6.6 million annually in salaries and wages. Amtrak contracts with Michigan businesses for more than $5.7 million in goods and services.

            Whereas, Michigan residents continue to face increasing fuel prices, traffic congestion, and limited access to public transportation. We believe the time has come to generate additional economic growth and public transportation alternatives for Michigan and its residents by increasing passenger rail capacity and service; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we memorialize Congress and the President to support additional funding for passenger rail cars on Michigan's three train routes, to consider increasing capacity and routes in Michigan, and to consider the restoration of a second, mid-day passenger train from Chicago to Grand Rapids; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan congressional delegation, the Governor of Michigan, the Surface Transportation Board, the United States Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and Amtrak.