OKC Chamber and other Pro-Business Groups Support Upcoming Nichols-Bennett Interim Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Jacklyn Brink-Rosen
Phone: (405) 557-7391
In an effort to lay out solutions to completion of the proposed Eastern Flyer route and to look at new horizons for the Heartland Flyer, urban Democratic Reps. Monroe Nichols and Forrest Bennett will host interim study 17-107on passenger rail expansion on September 6, 2017, in Room 512A at the state Capitol.
Upon release to the public of information regarding the upcoming study on rail expansion, messages of support for rail and other mass transportation options came in from all sectors of business and politics to include pro-business groups traditionally associated with customary corporate concerns. Wisely, these groups are making the connection and taking a hard look at the impact upon those concerns when a state and its cities have no connectivity
“I am encouraged that the Oklahoma City Chamber has joined the thousands of Oklahomans in support of this effort,” said study coauthor Nichols, D-Tulsa. “We all recognize this as a huge economic development opportunity. Passenger rail provides yet another mode of transportation, connecting our major economic hubs to those in cities in our region and across the country.
Rail has been talked about for too long without enough action. We ought to be investing in all forms of transportation. What we have is a chance to ensure Oklahoma isn’t left behind; rail isn’t a new thing, it’s something we need to fully embrace. The groundwork has been laid; all that is left is for us to take the last few steps to –literally- get the trains rolling.
“We know based on a Tulsa Chamber study in 2014, that there are upwards of 5,000 business commuters daily between Tulsa and Oklahoma City. For Oklahomans, the savings and increased opportunity for a productive commute makes riding instead of driving a worthwhile endeavor. Those aspects are in addition to having connectivity to Kansas City, St. Louis and other major cities in this part of the country,” Nichols said.
How the Legislature’s transportation compass came to be headed in only “one direction” is a mystery, as apparently there was a time when other legislatures had a different sense of direction. Bipartisan efforts in 1996 led to passage of Senate Bill 1192, the Oklahoma Tourism and Passenger Rail Act, to provide connectivity to primary points in the national railroad passenger system. The measure reads: “The purpose of the Oklahoma Tourism and Passenger Rail Act shall be to do all things necessary to restore passenger rail service to the state, to enhance the state's position as a tourist destination site and to improve the quality of life for residents of this state by offering an alternative mode of intrastate and interstate travel.”
A second piece of legislation was passed in 1998. The ‘Buyer’s Passenger Service Rights’ agreement purchased the track between Sapulpa and Del City with access rights into both Oklahoma City and downtown Tulsa. Since this agreement, the state made the decision to sell the line to a private carrier but with the caveat that passenger rail service would be developed by August 4, 2019, by the new owner. If the new owner of the line does not bring about service, he will pay a previously agreed upon penalty of several million dollars to the state and Oklahomans have no rail expansion. Word is, despite this enabling legislation, the tie up is push back against permitting access into the downtown areas.
"It is heartening to see legislators from across the state taking further interest in passenger rail,” said interim study coauthor Bennett, D-Oklahoma City. “States that invest in transportation see economic benefit, returns that Oklahoma desperately needs. As Oklahoma continues to grow, smart investment in mass transit will prove to reduce congestion on our roadways, increase economic development along the routes and create jobs, both directly and indirectly. For that reason, it's no surprise that the State Chamber is on board with our efforts. When dyed-in-the-wool Democrats and the State Chamber come together on something, it's a good sign that it's a winning issue. I look forward to working with them, and other stakeholders, to bring passenger rail and other mass transit options to fruition."
Amtrak, through the operation of the Heartland Flyer, brings an approximate 3:1 economic benefit ratio ($15 million in passenger spending in communities each year with $1.2 million of which is collected in local sales taxes). Representatives from AMTRAK will be at the hearing to speak about a recent exhibition run of the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City to Newton, Kansas, performed to provide stakeholders information on the economic value of extending service beyond the current OKC-Ft. Worth that serves Ardmore, Purcell and Norman to an extended northern route adding Guthrie, Perry, Ponca City, Arkansas City, Wichita, Newton, Emporia, Topeka and Kansas City, connecting to Chicago and Los Angeles via the Southwest Chief at Newton.
“We are dedicating an entire section of this study to exploring underutilized transportation funding sources that if pursued could resolve many of the obstacles,” said Bennett, who takes the city bus regularly to his office at the state Capitol.
On Tuesday, Nichols gathered with the Passenger Rail Oklahoma group and supporters of rail expansion in Tulsa to discuss the upcoming study. There are now more than 7,000 followers of the Eastern Flyer website. The name Eastern Flyer was designated by the legislature to be used for the train that will eventually make its way between the state’s two largest cities. Two weeks ago, Bennett traveled on the Heartland Flyer to Texas to observe the potential for additional stops and light rail options Texas now has in place for commuters.
Both Nichols and Bennett agree that progress should be made concerning access into the downtown areas and that a resolution should be found to allow the Flyer beyond Sapulpa or Del City, in order to avoid affecting business interests and the traveling public.
Interim Study 17-107 will be held September 6, 2017 beginning at 9 AM in Room 512A of the state capitol. Due to Capitol Restoration activities, attendees should plan on arriving early. Parking for presenters and the public is on the south side of the State Capitol in the area designated as VISITOR PARKING – enter through the southeast entrance, visit the security checkpoint. The available elevator will be located by crossing the 1st floor rotunda to the left, passing in front of the art museum, to the elevator on the right. Take the elevator to the 5th floor. Exit the elevator, turn left and proceed down the hall to 512A.
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