Amtrak

A number of years ago (1997), Amtrak cut the Pioneer Route, which went through southern Idaho.  That left many rural Americans in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Wyoming without convenient access to the nation's passenger rail system.  I have long supported the return of Amtrak service to southern Idaho and have sponsored amendments and supported legislation over the years that would facilitate the return of the Pioneer Route, which ran through Nampa, Shoshone and Pocatello. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden and I have joined together for many years to continue to push to bring Amtrak fully back to the Pacific Northwest.

On October 16, 2009, Amtrak released its final report to Congress on the reinstatement of the Pioneer Route.  Click here to download a copy of the report, which is 137 pages long (3.54 MB)

Listed below are several letters and documents regarding the reinstatement of the Pioneer Route.

• Letter dated May 9, 2009, to Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, inviting him to Idaho; click here to read.
• Letter dated October 31, 2008, to then-Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant regarding expedited implementation of a rail service study; click here to read.
• Letter dated September 12, 2008, to Senate and House Committees regarding Amtrak; click here to read.
• Letter dated September 30, 2009, from the Idaho Transportation Department, reading the Pioneer Route Passenger Rail Study; click here to read.
• Letter dated September 30, 2009, containing my comments on the report, sent to Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman; click here to read.