Campaign for High Speed Rail

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 October 2009 03:48 Written by Administrator Thursday, 27 August 2009 17:49

President Barack Obama is a big supporter of developing high speed passenger rail service nationwide. He's earmarked $8 billion in stimulus funds for the improvements. 

However, a map, showing the proposed high speed rail corridors nationwide, does not include Erie.  Routes end at Cleveland and at Buffalo.  For some unknown reason, those routes do not connect.

Brian Pitzer is with a newly formed group called "All Aboard Erie".  The group was formed to convince government officials to include Erie in the high speed rail plans.  It's first event is a rally in front of Union Station on October 13th.

"The purpose of the rally is to show the federal government, particularly the Department of Transportation, the level of support in Erie for high speed rail.  We want to show by public demonstration, the enthusiasm we have in Erie to bring high speed rail to this region of the country," Pitzer said.

The rally is one day before a public meeting held by PennDOT on high speed rail. PennDOT is a key player in obtaining federal dollars for this area.

 "One of the things I was very concerned about initially was that we were not going to have any meetings here.  So I think through our local efforts here, they realize that we're serious," said Erie County Councilman Kyle Foust.                                                    

Amtrak currently runs only two trains into Erie, each arriving in the early morning hours. High speed rail would increase the number of trains and increase Erie's role in the nationwide economy.

The rally will be held at Union Station, October 13th at 5pm. The PennDOT meeting will be held the next day at 10am at the Intermodal Center.