Posted to IPR on Facebook. Dennis Spisak is the Green Party candidate for Governor of Ohio.
Upon his election in 2010, John Kasich proclaimed train passenger service in Ohio was dead and gave away $400 million dollars in federal funds to other states. Today, those other states like Michigan are reaping the economic benefits of public rail transportation.
22 Michigan communities have Amtrak stations. Together, these communities capture more than $62 million in quantifiable benefits that are attributable to Amtrak access. These community gains, as measured by a team of researchers at Grand Valley State University, consist of individual traveler benefits, local business benefits and Amtrak spending.
Individual travelers saved $22.7 Million – the savings from either taking the train instead of a car, bus, or plane; or alternatively the value of savings from not traveling at all if rail service was not available Local business benefits: $25.7 million – spending by consumers in the communities of Michigan stations on travel-related amenities such as taxis, hotels, dining, and shopping Amtrak spending: $13.6 million – the value of goods and services Amtrak purchased from or paid to Michigan suppliers and workers. To keep these numbers conservative, researchers did not include Amtrak spending in Michigan not directly related to operating train service here in Michigan. Additionally, it was estimated that for every $1 of operating support the State of Michigan provided to Amtrak service in the state, $1.84 in economic benefits is returned to the state.
Why Not Ohio? Let’s Invest In Low-Carbon Mass Transportation In an era of increasing oil prices, traffic gridlock, and hazardous air quality, it’s time Ohio invests in local mass-transit systems, regional and interstate high speed rail, and low carbon means of transportation of both passengers and freight. Expanding mass transit and rail infrastructure promises to create thousands of good construction jobs for Ohio while expanding transportation choices and strengthening communities across the Buckeye State.
Ohio needs a governor who sees the economic benefits from passenger rail service for Ohio. I am that governor.
face book us at Dennis Spisak Ohio Governor 2014
www.ohioforspisak.com
Hey,
All that money all those people saved? It was paid by taxpayers who didn’t get any benefit.
Calling for more trains when there aren’t sufficient passengers! A fool’s errand. You’re trying to create supply where no demand exists.
You’re an idiot.
Excellent Green Party post! Dennis Spisak and the Green Party are right! We need More Trains, Less Traffic! Go Green Party! Go Green Party’s Dennis Spisak!