If you care anything about future light rail in this city, you should come to this rally! This really is the most realistic hope we have of moderately priced and the quickest/best option we have for light rail. Thanks to Istook and others, that chance is soon fading.

OKC’s Union Station to host ‘Save the Rails’ rally

By - 8/10/2007


State and local officials and leaders announced today they will hold a “Save the Rails” rally tomorrow at Union Station, 300 SW 7th St.


Aiming to bring awareness to the current railway system that could serve as a ready-made mass transit solution, State Senator Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), State Rep. Wallace Collins (D-Norman) and Tom Elmore, Executive Director of North American Transportation Institute are scheduled to speak along with Fannie Bates, candidate for Oklahoma County District 1 commissioner.


Set to begin at 10 a.m., event planners want citizens to know the current Interstate 40 construction will pave over some of Oklahoma City’s rail infrastructure meaning that future light rail transportation would require rebuilding what now exists.


“This event is an opportunity for the people of the state to speak up for responsible government, safe highways and badly needed alternatives to the automobile,” said Elmore in a statement. “Using the state’s unique 900-mile network of publicly owned rail lines, (Oklahoma City’s) Union Station is the only hope baby boomers and older Oklahomans have of seeing a comprehensive, regional rail transit system in our lifetimes.”