Expanding Amtrak cheaper than other subsidies

In a Dec. 17 Gazette article on the costs of subsidizing six smaller regional airports in Iowa, it was noted that $10.9 million in federal subsidies per year are currently provided to keep these airports functioning.

The total number of passengers at all of these airports (92,472 last year) averages out to only 42 passengers per airport per day. At the same time, the Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking to expand a total of 170 miles of interstate highway (including I-380 between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City) at a cost of approximately $1 billion dollars, with a cost of between $5 million to $10 million per mile for the entire process.

Meanwhile, Governor Branstad continues to oppose the expansion of Amtrak, initially from the Quad Cities to Iowa City, and then on to Des Moines and eventually to Omaha. This plan, available at IowaDOT.gov/IowaRail, anticipates about 820 passengers per day will use the system once the Iowa City link is established, and 1.3 million passengers per year once the entire Omaha-to-Chicago link is done. The yearly projected subsidy for the State of Iowa is expected to be $600,000 ($2 per passenger) as opposed to the current six regional airport's subsidy of $118 per passenger.

The initial total investment in Amtrak would equal the cost of less than 15 miles of highway expansion. I drive to Princeton, Illinois, a couple of times a year to take the train into Chicago. I also drive to Des Moines several times a year for work or to see family. I drove to Omaha last weekend for a graduation party, and while watching a freight train passing by, I wished passenger service was an option. Will Amtrak lead me to sell my car? No. But several times a year, it would save me time, stress, and money.

The increased use of rail would lessen the need for continued subsidies for smaller airports, lessen the need for highway expansion and provide opportunities for a greener economy while increasing Iowans' travel options.

' Mark Neary is an attorney who lives in Iowa City and works in Muscatine. Comments: marknearylaw@gmail.com