Post by vnc on Nov 3, 2008 15:52:39 GMT -8
Amtrak looks at putting a Train Station in Loma Linda
From the San Bernardino Sun
By Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
LOMA LINDA - Amtrak is interested in putting a train depot in the City, officials said.
In August, the city asked the company to study whether a depot would make economic sense.
"They found it could be profitable for a station stop to be located in Loma Linda," City Manager Dennis Halloway said.
The City must develop a station plan and identify any improvements that are needed to the railroad through the area.
Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, must sign off on the city's proposal.
"The revenus and ridership support the stop (in Loma Linda)," said Amtrak spokeswoman Vernae Graham. "If everything works out the way it needs to, we recommend adding the stop there."
The location of the depot has not been determined. The City would have to seek money from the state or federal government or other sources to build the station, Halloway said.
"It sounds exciting," Mayor Stan Brauer said. "It's the first step of a long process."
The city has set up a task force to look at cost, location and other details. The task force is made of Halloway, Councilman Robert Ziprick, Fire Department Division Chief Rolland Crawford and a representative of Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Amtrak recommended that Loma Linda officials talk to the city of Indio, which is going through the same process of trying to get a station.
Halloway said there are two sites that makes senses. One is near the new Centennial Complex at Loma Linda University. The other is near Elmer Digneo Park on the east side of Anderson Street.
"There's alot of out-of-town visitors who come to the university for medical reason and conventions and reunions," Halloway said. Plus, high gas prices and the high cost of commuting by car are other reasons why people would want to use the train instead of other moders of transportation."
Ziprick said he wants the Amtrak depot to provide a connection to the proposed high-speed sxX bus service slated to run from Cal State San Bernardino to the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center. The 16 mile bus route is scheduled to start operating in January 2012.
"We want the sbX to eventually cross the Amtrak Line at the place where there's a station," Ziprick said. The station could serve as a transit center and provide shuttle service to hospitals, hotels and other destinations, he said. A Metrolink connection also could be part of the equation, Ziprick said.
While Amtrak is not a commuter train at this point, said it would make sense people who are staying in the area for several days.
Amtrak trains now pass through the city three days a week - Sunday, Wednesday and Friday - on their way from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
Eventually, the city would like to provide daily Amtrak service on the "Sunset Limited" Line.
The nearest stops on the Sunset Limited are in Ontario and Palm Springs.
"This fills a hole in a pretty big geographic and population area," Ziprick said. "Our goal is to make our community and surrounding communities as competitive as we can in challenging economic times. Adding this amenity of a train service will bring strength to the area."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916
link to story
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