Rural Vitality

Long drives are a part of daily life in the rural Midwest, whether for work, shopping or the occasional trip to the big city. The train’s unique ability to provide fast service to the heart of small towns makes it an increasingly valuable tool for dealing with the rising price of gas.

Today, Midwestern residents bypass Chicago’s packed highways and expensive parking by boarding Amtrak trains at over 200 hundred stations. Faster trains and more convenient schedules will make more of these trips possible while making travel between small towns by train more attractive.

With direct connections to major airports, trains can create an essential link to international markets for small towns.

If scheduled properly, these trains can serve as long-distance commuter trains, giving residents greater flexibility in their job searches. Moreover, fast trains bring proximity and opportunity to rural regions without creating sprawl. At the same time they revitalize small towns in ways that other forms of transportation cannot. Train stations, unlike interstate highways, are located in downtown areas and the passenger traffic drives local businesses.

Just as important, the fast and critical connections trains provide make it more attractive for companies to once again locate or grow their activities in rural areas. When considering where to locate, corporations no longer have to consider a town's access to major cultural, business and educational resources, as fast passenger trains would provide a way to stay connected, do business, and attract and retain good talent.

Note: Amtrak's sleeper trains are the foundation of the rural network. Amtrak's Empire Builder offers an excellent example.