Amtrak, Not Metra, Could be Area's First Passenger Rail Service
Amtrak could be stopping trains in Oswego by 2014.
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A Metra stop in Oswego could be 10 to 15 years away; an Amtrak stop, on the other hand, could be here in just three years.
That was the message sent by Congressman Randy Hultgren, R-14th District, and Oswego Village President Brian LeClercq on Tuesday night at a gathering of officials from across Kendall County at Allied First Bank on Orchard Road.
The timeline isn’t the only shrinking number connected to the project. The price tag for securing an Amtrak stop near Orchard and Mill roads would be $6 million to $10 million. The price tag for a Metra stop would be $120 million more than that.
“Ideally, we would love to have a Metra station (in Kendall County),” Hultgren said. “We also know that’s a challenge, and so we’re open to other things (like Amtrak.) It doesn’t solve the problem, but it’s a much more doable number. Really, what we have to do is create more jobs and transportation is to key to creating jobs.”
Hultgren, who sits on the House Transportation Committee and Rail Subcommittee, said he will fight for federal funding in the latest transportation bill to help get the project started. He said he hopes the bill passes by the end of this year or the beginning of 2012.
Representatives from several Kendall County communities, including Yorkville’s community development director, Montgomery’s village president and Plano’s mayor, were on hand to show their support for the Amtrak proposal.
LeClercq said Kendall County has a much better chance of seeing an Amtrak stop in the near-term with Metra being a long-term goal.
“(With Amtrak,) we think by making a small investment we can get a huge return regionally,” he said.
Amtrak officials have stated their desire to begin service between Chicago and the Quad Cities by 2014. Oswego could be a stop on that line. Federal, state and local funding would need to be secured for the project. LeClercq said local funding would come in the form of parking for the facility, which Oswego already has with the Park-n-Ride lot. The state would be required to match federal funding.
LeClercq said he has discussed the proposal with state reps. Tom Cross and Kay Hatcher and has received support from both.
Montgomery village president Marilyn Michelini said residents will be able to support an Amtrak stop if they see all levels of government working together.
“Residents and taxpayers like to see us working together to achieve these goals,” she said. “This is a much-needed project out here. Without transportation out here companies won’t move out here.”
Plano is already a stop on Amtrak’s line from Chicago to Quincy. Mayor Bob Hausler said there are two stops inbound to the city everyday along with two outbound stops.
A one-way, approximately one-hour, trip to the city costs riders $8 to $21, depending on the day. By comparison, a one-way ticket to the city on Metra from the Aurora transportation center costs $6 if purchased on the train. The Plano station has an average daily ridership of about 16 passengers. The only two stops between Plano and the city are Naperville and La Grange on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe line.
Metra commissioned an engineering study for a station at Orchard and Mill roads in August, and that work is underway. LeClercq said that study could also be used by Amtrak.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to more accurately reflect the cost of a trip from Plano to Chicago.
tm
6:56 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Checking out the Amtrak web site it's $8 from Plano to Union Station today and $21 tomorrow.They only have one train in and out of the city and they are not during the prime business hours. This would not be a viable commuter option today, what are they proposing as possible schedule enhancements to make the $10M worthwhile?
Steven Jack
7:13 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
TM, I see the prices you're talking about, but I see two trains scheduled — one at 9:25 a.m. and one at 8:43 p.m. I plan to contact Amtrak officials today to discuss what schedule they are planning for Oswego. Will update this story with that information.
George Jones
9:43 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I am an appointed member of the Oswego Transportation Comm and can provide some better facts and opinions here. This position is an advisory one.
1. Eventually, as the fastest growing county in the USA, we want BOTH Amtrak and Metra Passenger rail here. That will stimulate growth in our local economy and bring in sorely needed jobs. That is the position I have taken on the Oswego Transportation Comm. Bringing the trains to Oswego and Kendall County was President LeClercq #1 campaign promise and he should be applauded for that.
2. However, getting the "Ideal" Metra here is no easy feat. First, there would have to be a Kendall County referendum to join the RTA. With this down national and local economy, voters here will not vote YES because it means raising our sales taxes to 3/4% and most likely 1% later. That ain't happening! Second, we must convince the federal government and Illinois State government as well as Metra to fund this Metra project to the tune of $120 million plus and that ain't going to happen anytime soon with the large deficits we have now and the poor conditions at Metra where they are dramatically cutting expenses and raising fares up to 30%.
3. What we need is a "Pragmatic" solution and we are working on this. We are asking that commuter bus service to Aurora be upped to 5 AM and 5PM runs to connect to Metra. The IDOT Rail Div.i is "exploring" putting a Amtrak stop in Oswego in the 2014 or earlier time frame. They and Amtrak decide that. ALL ABOARD
Tina Conley
9:59 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
So do "they" pay for it?
Steven Jack
9:46 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thank you, George!
George Jones
10:13 am on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I have added 2 PDF DRAFT documents which can be reviewed here.
1. A "Proposed" Amtrak Station siting at the Oswego Park-and-Ride location at Orchard & Mill is illustrated. This is on the BNSF rail line which runs all the way East into Chicago and West to California.
2. From Amtrak, I have provided their 1 page outline of the processes needed to get a new station approved and built. The Amtrak service we are talking about is the Intra-Illinois Amtrak service which the State of Illinois participates in with Amtrak. Hence, the Illinois Department of Transportation Rail Dept. first receives a request from a city ... then that is analyzed and past on to Amtrak for consideration.
3. Congressman Randy Hultgren has been asked to support this. We also need the support of Senators Durbin and Kirk as well as that of our local Illinois House and Senate members. We hope they will also say: ALL ABOARD!
Richard R
12:17 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I don't either of them will be in Oswego in the next 10 years. And to think some of those homes right near the park and ride where touted for that very reason. "Hey buy here since we are going to put a Metra station here and it will be easy for you to get into the city or other locations" Well I have been out here for 7 years now and nothing has happened other then, spend money to see if it is possible to get it to come here, in the first place. I have been told that this has been in the works (discussions) for almost 20 years now. I think this is just a waste of everyone's time.
cami
1:19 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I agree with Richard R. We have been hearing the same thing for YEARS and every time someone wants to become village president they use this. Many people have moved to Oswego with the promise of great schools and all of the potential great things to come. My family and I have lived her for 15 years and many of those things have never come about and appear to be just a bunch of empty promises. The only thing I have seen growing are poor quality stores and some cheap/ poor quality housing which has brought crime to our once very nice and unique town. Oswego had a tons of potential...not sure it will ever become what most of us thought it could. Its not just about the Metra, its about all of the bad changes that have occurred and the good ones that never happened.
George Jones
2:40 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Cami / Richard ...
I to had been hearing things for years about getting a train to Oswego ... but that was then and this now and we live in the here and now and not YESTERDAY ... when the economy was great and our U.S. Rep Hastert was also Speaker of the House and could get things done for us in Congress. We are a great community and in a great county. It's so great that many of us moved here over the past 10 years to make it the fastest growing U.S. county. I volunteered my time to serve on the Oswego Transportation Com. and we can make Amtrak happen for us about 2014. Your unity and support is needed. Support people like US Rep. Randy Hultgren and others who we want to deliver "results" vs just "words". And, if they don't we vote them out. In addition, call and ask IL Rep. Tom Cross and IL Rep. Kay Hatcher to support this and get us results ... meaning a train. Call your County Board member and ask them for results. Good things will happen in government when we make them happen ... so do your part and contact your elected officials and ask for "results" versus "words".
David Edelman
1:03 pm on Friday, November 11, 2011
I thought big government spending was all over with? I thought Randy ran on stopping the spending and that's how he got voted in? We are now going to vote him out if he does not spend money? I am confused here?
kpfarrer
8:09 am on Sunday, November 13, 2011
I support all efforts to bring rail service to Oswego and beyond to improve our area. Limited service Amtrak alone won't be adequate. The park & ride program in Oswego should be maintained. It is not about the few who utilize it, it's an investment in future rail development which will improve the area for all residents.
PS Good point David.
David Edelman
11:59 am on Sunday, November 13, 2011
I went to the Congressman Joe Walsh Town Hall yesterday in Oswego at the Veterans Hall. Interesting to say the least. I asked him about this very issue. He knew nothing about it. But in the end, he said NO he would NOT support it. Said that Hultgren was "an establishment guy" that would support these types of things. Most at the town hall said that they were aware of it and I asked the group - "is anyone against this project?" No one spoke up or said NO. I hope it happens as well and these are the types of things that government should focus on and help people everywhere as it does promote what is best for the greater good, not a small group of people. I do think it is quite funny and ironic however as everyone likes to complain about big government and out of control spending, it all of sudden becomes a good and cool thing when it affects you directly in a positive way - and your congressman needs such headlines to get re-elected.
Jane Enviere
2:20 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
Spot on there, David! It's a fab idea to spend dollars if it does something for you. But when it's a Democratic proposal, well then he or she is...gee, what do they say again...ah, yes... a socialist. Funny how that works, eh? lol
Casey Jones
5:53 pm on Sunday, November 13, 2011
All aboard? Toot your horn George. Spending millions to have a luxury bus service paid for by the county taxpayers is bad enough but now a rail service to Chicago for what - maybe 50 people a day? 80,000 taxpayers subsidizing 50 people's lifestyles? All I read is that one rail service actually makes a profit in the entire USA. That's in New York. I don't see any car-pool parking spots or ads in the paper like I see in the rest of the country. Don't even start on it creating jobs. Jobs for some politically well-connected people. Certainly not for the average Joe. The dreamers can dream all they want - just leave my wallet alone!