Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico
transportation officials say the states don’t have funding to save
Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route through the three states.
The funding problems could cause western Kansas to lose easy
access to Amtrak passenger service.
Amtrak wants the three states spend a total of $100 million in
the next decade to improve tracks between Hutchinson and Garden
City that are in such poor condition the train has to slow down on
its daily route.
Amtrak also wants the states to split $10 million a year in operating subsidies
with Amtrak and BNSF Railroad, which owns the tracks.
Dennis Slimmer, of the Kansas transportation department, says
the states are looking for solutions, but don’t have the millions
needed to maintain the route.
