Economic development, Intercity passenger rail service - Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Rail passenger service provides the means to meet the intercity and commuter passenger transportation needs of the United States. A modern and efficient commuter rail passenger transportation is important to the viability and well-being of major urban areas and to the energy conservation and self-sufficiency goals of the United States. The Amtrak service, operating in Wisconsin, provides a viable choice in a transportation mode that is convenient to the needs of the leisure and business traveler.

Amtrak's Hiawatha Service

Wisconsin has financially supported Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service operating between Milwaukee and Chicago since 1989. In 2004, the trains offered seven round-trips per day and carried over 470,000 passengers, the most ever in one year. Wisconsin’s cost share of the service will be about $5.3 million in 2005.

Amtrak and the economy

With a 90-minute trip time and on-time performance of 95% or better, the Amtrak service provides a viable mobility option in the Milwaukee-Chicago corridor. Passenger surveys show a significant number of passengers ride the trains to avoid driving and parking problems in the busy corridor. The service helps facilitate productive business travel and is an attractive option for tourists to both cities.

WisDOT is undertaking a number of initiatives to make the intercity passenger rail service even more attractive for business and tourism travel.

In 2005, WisDOT completed a new $6.5 million train station at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport.
The state is beginning major work on a $3.9 million renovation of the downtown Milwaukee Amtrak station. This project is a public-private partnership that will also add commercial development opportunities at the station.
WisDOT continues to cooperate with eight other states on the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative. The plan calls for a 3,000-mile network of passenger rail services featuring new trains, frequent service and top speeds of 110 MPH. While planning efforts continue, large-scale implementation is dependent on federal funds.

For more information on intercity passenger rail initiatives in Wisconsin, contact Ron Adams at (608) 267-9284.

Amtrak passenger rail service

Photo courtesy of Michael Kolanowski

Related information:

Rail projects, plans and studies

Traveling by rail