RAPID CITY, S.D. – All Aboard Northwest will be holding a series of “Train Trek” presentations across South Dakota to discuss the FRA Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Stud findings and what can be done to bring passenger rail back to South Dakota.
According to Dan Bilka, co-founder and president of All Aboard Northwest, the study found the routes across South Dakota are feasible, defensible and could, in fact, outperform other routes across the county.
“As we have seen these past few months, South Dakotans are keenly interested in the possibility of Amtrak and understand how this investment could also greatly benefit freight rail and economic development opportunities across the state.”
He added, “If we want to turbo-charge economic opportunities for our state, we should call for the implementation of passenger routes that will upgrade railroad lines while also enhancing freight and economic development opportunities. The federal dollar will go much further, and be more meaningful at creating lasting sustainable opportunities, being spent on an expanded long distance passenger rail network in rural America; being spent on areas like South Dakota.”
All Aboard Northwest is the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Working Group, working to bring economic, environmental and equity benefits to the communities of the Greater Northwest.
Canton (Lincoln County) Tuesday June 24th, 6:30pm (CT)
104 N Main St, Canton, SD 57013
Hosted by Lincoln County, Board of County Commissioners
Fort Pierre Wednesday June 25th, 6:00pm (MT)
Community Youth Involved – Nonprofit Organization, 19 E. Main Avenue, Fort Pierre, SD 57532
Hosted by Fort Pierre Chamber of Commerce
Wall Thursday June 26th, 3:30pm (MT)
Wall Grand Hall, 501 Main Street, Wall, SD 57790
Hosted by Wall Economic Development Corporation
Rapid City Thursday June 26th, 6-8pm
“The Hive”, 512 Main Street, Suite 160, Rapid City, SD 57701
Hosted by Visit Rapid City
Bilka encourages the public to send comments of support to the FRA Project team, the South Dakkota congressional delegation, state legislators, and the State Railroad Board and Railroad Authority.
