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The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers(WisARP) was established in 1977 to promote passenger train service in Wisconsin and the U.S.A. It is the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Railroad Passengers(NARP). This national organization is headquartered in Washington, DC. It lobbies Congress on behalf of our national rail passenger system and keeps it's members informed of Amtrak and transit activities, and of federal actions affecting Amtrak. It works closely with WisARP and other state passenger rail associations, but has no connection with them beyond a similarity in anme and purpose.
WisARPexists to promote passenger trains as a part of a balanced national transportation system. It is made up of people who enjoy traveling by train, find it a practical way to travel, and are dedicated to preserving and improving the quality and quantity of passenger trains in Wisconsin and the nation. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. Our funding comes entirely from dues.
At the present time, intercity and commuter rail passenger service in Wisconsin consists of six daily Amtrak trains in each direction between Milwaukee, Sturtevant and Chicago(Hiawatha Service); one daily Amtrak train(the Empire Builder), which travels Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin Cities-Seattle/Portland; and Metra commuter rail service between Kenosha and Chicago. Wisconsin cities served by the Empire Builder include Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, and LaCrosse.
The Wisconsin Association of Railroad Passengers (WisARP) strives to improve the quantity and quality of rail passenger service in Wisconsin and the nation. To achieve these ends, WisARP is promoting (1) the establishment of a stable funding source for rail passenger service, and (2) the following program.
1. The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, a plan proposed by nine Midwestern states for more frequent and higher speed passenger train service in the Midwest, should be implemented. Phase 1 of the plan proposes high speed rail passenger service in the Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin Cities corridor. Phase 2 of the plan proposes rail passenger service between Chicago and Green Bay. This system would allow fast and convenient rail passenger service between major Wisconsin cities and other major Midwestern cities.
2. The $50 million bonding authority that was enacted by the state legislature to restore rail passenger to Green Bay and Madison should bu used during Phase 1 of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative to route the Chicago-Milwaukee-Twin cities high speed service through Madison. Under the proposed plan, service to and through Madison would not begin until phases 3 and 4.
3. Commuter train service options need to be evaluated, and implemented where feasible. An extension of the current Chicago-Kenosha service to Milwaukee would open up many local trips between Milwaukee and Chicago that are not available with limited-stop Hiawatha Service, in addition to allowing local Wisconsin commuting. WisDOT, in conjunction with affected counties and local communities, should study the feasibility of extending Metra service from Antioch, IL to Burlington, WI and from Harvard, IL to Beloit and Janesville.
1. A station near Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport should be established for Hiawatha Service trains. This station should have shuttle transportation to the airport.
2. WisDOT should develop a railroad improvement program and assist local communities in acquiring control of railroad stations. The conditions at the Milwaukee and Sturtevant stations are prime examples of nonlocal control and local noninvolvement. All railroad stations should be attractive, clean, and convenient to use. At larger stations, personnel should be available to assist passengers and handle baggage; and local and intercity bus connections should be available. All intercity rail stations should be substantial buildings and have adequate and safe parking.
WisARP recognizes the role rail passenger service can play in providing quality, economical transportation statewide, in combatting the urban problems of congestion and air pollution, and in helping Wisconsin retain it's superior quality of life with continued economic development. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization, WisARP educates the citizens and public officials of Wisconsin about these and other benefits or rail passenger service, and sees value in the following efforts.
1. WisARP supports a broadened funding base for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
2. WisARP supports the development of commuter rail service and light rail transportation where they are economically justified.
3. WisARP supports the preservation of selected current and abandoned railroad rights of way for future passenger train or light rail use.
4. WisARP supports the passage of legislation at the federal or state level that would give all rail carriers the same insurance liability limits that Amtrak enjoys.
5. WisARP supports the addition of new long-distance passenger train routes and improvements to existing routes throughout the U.S.A., where they are economically justified.
6. WisARP supports grade crossing separation and elimination projects which aim to make both road and rail travel safer. WisARP believes that all road projects that involve a rail crossing, with either current or projected passenger train use, should be required to address the issue of grade crossing elimination or separation.
WisARP meets twice a year, typically on the last Saturday of March & October. We gather at 9:00 for a morning session which include a speaker, an update of current rail activities, and relevant movies or slides. We than have lunch at noon and a afternoon session. The meeting last until about 3:00 p.m. Locations vary in the state of Wisconsin.
