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Tampa City Council Steps Up, Calls for Return of Daily Amtrak Train Service to Tampa; YOUR Voice Still Needed

09 Aug 2020 3:10 PM | Jackson McQuigg (Administrator)

This past week, the Tampa City Council unanimously passed a resolution calling on Amtrak to restore daily train service to Tampa Union Station.

You may read the resolution here: Tampa Resolution.pdf

The Council's passage of this resolution was the result of Friends of Tampa Union Station and FCRP working with Council Member Bill Carlson to introduce the legislation--which he did willingly. The Tampa City Council unanimously supported the resolution as it includes several members who use Amtrak train services from Tampa Union Station. 

The resolution calls for the City Clerk to send a copy of the resolution to Amtrak CEO William Flynn.

YOUR voice continues to be critical to saving Amtrak's long distance train network across the USA. The 50% reduction to Florida Amtrak service which took place on July 6 was just a warm-up act for the plans to huge train and job cuts still set for October 1.

Please contact Florida's Congressional representatives in Washington and our Governor to protest the cuts!

To contact Senator Marco Rubio, click here.

To contact Senator Rick Scott, click here.

To locate and contact your Member of Congress, click here.

To contact Governor Ron DeSantis, click here.

If you have already emailed, written a letter, or called, please do so again. This is critical for the survival of Amtrak service to key cities in Florida.

Thank you!

--Steve Sayles and Jackson McQuigg


Comments

  • 13 Aug 2020 5:12 PM | Anonymous
    Today I read the formal resolution from the City of Tampa, in support of restoration of Daily Amtrak Service to and from that city in Florida.
    My view: an additional line might have mentioned that Congress already voted over $ 1 billion in funds to keep Amtrak alive.
    Any FUTURE Congressional funding to Amtrak should include a crafted legislative policy statement. It requires that a minimum of "OPRS -Obligation of Passenger Rail Service" be maintained by Amtrak or another concessionaire of intercity train service.
    In this case, a paltry one train north, one train south per 24 hours, 365 days per year.
    (Incidentally, OPRS is part of policy from the Ministry of Transport, Spain.) MS, 13-AUG-2020.
    Link  •  Reply
  • 15 Aug 2020 5:48 PM | Anonymous
    This will mark an unprecedented first time that Tampa Union Station will not have a single passenger train scheduled daily.
    Link  •  Reply
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