Sample
letter to write your Missouri state lawmakers:
Please communicate your thoughts to your Missouri state
representatives, senators and Governor Holden on why the state
should continue to fund passenger rail to provide Missourians a
balanced transportation system.
The following is an example you can use in designing your own
letter. You can send your letter via e-mail, though regular mail
is considered far more effective.
DATE, 2002
The Honorable _______________________
Missouri State (House of Representatives/Senate)
State Capitol Room _______
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear (Representative/Senator) ____________________:
Please support continued funding of Missouri's Amtrak service. I
live in the Kansas City area and find the trains provide a
comfortable travel alternative.
Rail travel is a valued link in the transportation system for a
large number of people, according to a recent MODOT-funded train
service study. The study said "the service is highly
beneficial to the state - providing a fairly low-cost alternative
highly valued by a significant portion of the population. The
cost-benefit analysis finds that benefits to the residents of the
state of Missouri exceed its public cost."
Without the train, the study found, most passengers (67%) would
drive- further crowding congested I-70 and U.S. Highway 50. If
you don't think this is important, consider how Missouri's
highways are rated the nation's third worst. Rebuilding and
widening Interstate 70 alone is projected to cost $3 billion.
That could run the $6 million a year trains - a mere two-tenths
of one percent of the I-70 project - for 500 years.
The trains also serve a large number of college students and
retirees, which comprise 19% and 18%, respectively, of the its
ridership.
Ending service would also harm prospects of bringing high-speed
rail to Missouri. For five years, Missouri has been working with
Illinois and seven other Midwest states to develop fast,
comfortable and convenient rail service connecting Kansas City
and St. Louis with most major Midwestern cities. Missouri stands
to benefit from these investments through both its current rail
service and its eventual upgrade in frequency and speed.
The events of September 11 show that America needs a strong
national train system. Short-term financial decisions would cause
long-term setbacks to the state’s transportation system.
I ride Amtrak frequently and would travel by train more if
service were offered to Springfield and other areas of the state.
Indeed, the MODOT-funded study concluded that for the Kansas City
- St. Louis rail corridor to succeed, the State of Missouri must
commit to ensuring its success. This is something the state has
appeared unwilling to do.
Like others, I want a balanced transportation system that
provides alternatives to the traveling public. Please support
continued Amtrak funding and provide Missourians who don’t
want to face the congested highways and crowded airports a
transportation alternative.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
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