Res 1996-165 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

162 RESOLUTION 1900.J.65 R A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, SUPPORTING THE CONTINUATION OF THE TEXAS EAGLE SERVICE FROM ST. LOUIS TO SAN ANTONIO AND REQUESTING, THAT AMTRAK RECONSIDER ITS ANNOUNCED POSITION TO DISCONTINUE THIS SERVICE; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. f- I : RECITALS: 1. On August 7, 1996, Amtrak announced that a part of its efforts to cut costs, the company would eliminate passenger service along the Texas Eagle route which runs from St. Louis to San Antonio starting in November. 2. Amtrak cites as its reasons for eliminating service along this route, the fact that the route is not profitable and that the plan is part of a number of proposed system-wide cuts designed to compensate for the potential reduction in government subsidies. 3. The Texas Eagle route provides an important and valuable transportation option for those citizens traveling from the Midwest to Texas and the West Coast and has carried ~ more than 121,000 passengers during the period from October 1994 through September 1995, when the service ran three times a week between Chicago, St. Louis and San Antonio. 4. With the elimination of the Texas Eagle route, there will no longer be a North-South passenger rail connection which may have very adverse affects on many citizens, not only of San Marcos, but of the various cities along the route, who have become dependent on this particular rail service. 5. Leaders from the various cities and states along the Texas Eagle route have expressed concern at the planned elimination, citing the need for passenger rail service as evidenced by the number of passengers using this service. 6. The mayors and representatives of the various communities along the route met in Ft. Worth on August 22, 1996, and formally organized the Texas Eagle Coalition which then approved a resolution opposing the elimination of the Texas Eagle route.. 7. The City of San Marcos wishes to join in with the Texas Eagle Coalition's support for the continuation of Amtrak's Texas Eagle service. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS: PART 1. The City of San Marcos expresses its support for the continuation of the Texas Eagle service from St. Louis to San Antonio and requests that Amtrak reconsider its announced position to cut this service. PART 2. Amtrak is urged to look at alternatives that will preserve passenger rail I service along the Texas Eagle route which is the only passenger rail service on a ¡ North/South basis from St. Louis to San Antonio. PART 3. That copies of this resolution be furnished to Amtrak officials, and to State and federal officials. PART 4. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage. ADOPTED this 23rd day of September, 1996.