HomeMy Public PortalAboutResolution No. 072-96 09-10-1996 RESOLUTION NO. 72-96
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF THE
TEXAS EAGLE COALITION REQUESTING THAT AMTRAK
CONTINUE SERVICE ALONG THE TEXAS EAGLE ROUTE.
WHEREAS, on August 7, 1996, Amtrak announced that as part of
its efforts to cut costs, it would eliminate passenger service in
November along the Texas Eagle route which runs from St. Louis to
San Antonio with stops at Poplar Bluff, Walnut Ridge, Little Rock,
Malvern, Arkadelphia, Texarkana, Marshall, Longview, Mineola,
Dallas, Fort Worth, Cleburne, McGregor, Temple, Taylor, Austin, and
San Marcos; and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak plans to eliminate service along the Texas
Eagle route citing that the route is losing money and that the
proposed system-wide cuts are designed to compensate for the
potential of lower subsidies expected to be appropriated by
Congress; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Eagle provides an important and valuable
transportation option for those citizens traveling from the Midwest
to Texas and to the West Coast; and,
• WHEREAS, more than 121,000 passengers rode the Texas Eagle
from October 1994 through September 1995 which ran three times a
week both north and south between Chicago, St. Louis, and San
Antonio; and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak, in announcing its strategy to reduce costs by
eliminating the Texas Eagle, will leave many citizens in cities
along the Texas Eagle route without passenger rail service; and,
WHEREAS, Amtrak, prior to announcing its cost-cutting
strategy, did not seek input from the cities affected; did not seek
input on whether cities or states can help financially in
supporting Amtrak to continue the Texas Eagle service; did not
consider the savings passenger rail service offers the affected
states in terms of wear and tear on infrastructure, pollution and
the environment, and did not detail whether efforts enhancing
service and marketing would help increase ridership; and,
WHEREAS, leaders from the cities and states along the Texas
Eagle route feel that a thorough discussion of the issues by Amtrak
needs to occur with the affected cities before these cities are
left with no passenger rail service at all; and,
WHEREAS, leaders from the cities and states along the route
• have expressed concern at the planned elimination of the Texas
Eagle route citing the need for passenger rail service as evidenced
by the number of passengers using the service; and,
RESOLUTION NO. 72-96 PAGE 2
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WHEREAS, the Mayors and other representatives from the cities
and states along the Texas Eagle route met in Fort Worth, Texas on
August 22, 1996 to discuss the impending elimination of the Texas
Eagle route and in unison expressed support for the continuation of
the Texas Eagle service.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, THAT:
1. The Richland Hills City Council expresses support of the
Texas Eagle Coalition requesting the continuation of the
Texas Eagle service from St. Louis to San Antonio, and
that Amtrak reconsider its announced position to cut this
service;
2. Amtrak is urged to look at alternatives that will
preserve passenger rail service along the Texas Eagle
route, which is the only passenger rail service on a
north/south basis from St. Louis to San Antonio;
3. Congress is urged to consider the continuation of
sufficient subsidy funding as well as consider other
• funding alternatives to allow Amtrak to offer its
valuable passenger rail service to cities along the St.
Louis to San Antonio route well into the future; and,
4. Copies of this resolution be furnished to the officials
with Amtrak and to members of the United States Congress
and to state officials including the Governors of the
affected states.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of
Richland Hills, Texas, by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, and
0 abstentions, on this the 10th day of September 1996.
APPROVED:
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C. F. KELLEY, MAYOR
ATTEST:
T I WILLIS, CITY SECRETARY
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