Photo: Amtrak

By Don Haney

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – In a matter of weeks, Amtrak will cut their long-distance train network from daily to tri-weekly operations.

That includes the Empire Builder that crosses the northern part of the U.S. from Seattle to Chicago and serves Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, and Minot and many other communities across North Dakota and Minnesota.

The reduction is because ridership has fallen significantly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Barry Green is the regional representative of the Rail Passengers Association which lobbies on behalf of long-distance passenger service:

Green says a $5 billion bailout bill that would retain daily Amtrak service has passed the House but has not been taken up by the Senate. He’s urging those having an interest in seeing continued service to contact their congressional delegation to support the funding.

He says the reduction will be a “big hit” to communities along the Empire Builder route. Although a state-by-state break-down is not available, Green says a survey by the Rail Passengers Association estimated an almost $300 million loss in total economic benefits over the next 9 months.