Hoosier State Train to be Suspended in July
(Image courtesy of the Indiana Department of Transportation)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Amtrak train service connecting Indianapolis to Chicago will be suspended, effective July 1. Amtrak says the State of Indiana has not agreed to fund the connecting service in accordance with the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act.
The Indiana State Budget currently does not include funding for the Hoosier State train service, which connects Indianapolis and Chicago, via Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer and Dyer. Amtrak and State of Indiana officials are in discussions for the continuation of the service.
Amtrak lists Cardinal Trains and Amtrak Thruway Buses as potential alternatives to people seeking transportation.
Cardinal Trains 50 and 51 will continue to provide service to and from Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Dyer and Chicago three days each week. Train 50 departs Chicago on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while Train 51 departs Indianapolis on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, according to the company.
Amtrak Thruway Buses will continue to run multiple times daily to and from the Amtrak stations in Indianapolis, Lafayette and Chicago.
The Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance says it will advocate for alternatives to developing the Hoosier State corridor, other than by means of an INDOT contract with Amtrak.
“The IPRA is disappointed and puzzled by Governor Holcomb’s action in removing the Hoosier State line item from the state budget. This was done in spite of widespread support for continuance of the service. All unbiased analyses show Chicago-Indianapolis as a high priority, high travel corridor that with the right investment, appropriate frequencies and trip times would bring benefits to consumers and communities along the route, and offer all travelers a safe, economical alternative to driving,” said the organization, in a news release.