Whereas, first established by Congress in 1970, Amtrak serves more than 500 stations in 46 states, spanning 22,000 route miles. In 2004, the intercity passenger rail system, which employs over 20,000 people, carried more than 25 million passengers, an increase of 4.3 percent over the previous year. Further, over the past three years, the rail system has made significant reforms to improve overall performance and eliminated three underperforming long-distance routes; and

Whereas, in 2004, ridership had increased on all three Michigan Amtrak routes. Ridership on the Wolverine line—Pontiac through metro-Detroit to Niles—was up 12.2 percent from 326,367 passengers in 2003 to 366,291 passengers in 2004. The Pere Marquette route—Grand Rapids to New Buffalo—increased ridership from 73,392 passengers in 2003 to 87,767 passengers in 2004. Also, ridership on the Blue Water route—Port Huron to Niles—rose from 80,890 passengers in 2003 to 94,378 passengers in 2004; and

Whereas, in the Fiscal Year 2005-for the first eight months of the year-ridership on the Pere Marquette line is up more than 11.4 percent over 2004 and revenues are up 11.7 percent over 2004. This increase reflecting a trend of record ridership and revenues over fiscal year 2004; and

Whereas, Amtrak’s request for state support has remained steady at $7.1 million for three years while dramatic increases in diesel fuel and employee health care costs has been offset by the increases in ridership revenues. Furthermore, Amtrak has said that it will not ask for any additional increases in the financial support provided by the Michigan Legislature; and

Whereas, Amtrak employs 133 people in Michigan paying approximately $6.4 million in salaries and wages and has more than $2.8 million in contracts for goods and services with 60 Michigan businesses; and

Whereas, it would be harmful to the communities served by the Pere Marquette line if the Michigan Legislature were to end their support for an increasingly popular and cost effective rail program that contributes to Michigan’s economy and businesses-especially when Michigan needs to keep all the jobs it can at home and support Michigan businesses whenever possible; and

Whereas, now, therefore, be it resolved by the Columbia Township Board, That we memorialize the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate and Governor Jennifer M. Granholm to maintain the current funding level for Amtrak at $7.1 million; and

Be it further resolved, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to Governor Granholm, the Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate, the Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, The Honorable Senator Ron Jelinek, and The Honorable Representative Tonya Schuitmaker.

The foregoing resolution offered by Board Member Burgett and supported by Board Member Fogarty.

Upon roll call vote, the following voted.

Bradford aye

Burgett aye

Fogarty aye

Harrington aye

Hurley aye

The Supervisor declared the resolution adopted.

Date of adoption August 16, 2005

I hereby certify the above to be a true and correct transcript of action taken by the Columbia Township board, County of Van Buren, State of Michigan.

Mary Burgett Date

Columbia Township Clerk