As ridership swells, bill to study expanding passenger rail service out of Twin Cities revived

A bill directing the Minnesota Department of Transportation to study extending passenger rail service from the Twin Cities to Fargo and establish a new line to Kansas City has found new life.

The measure, which failed to pass the House Transportation Committee last month, has been rolled into the Senate omnibus transportation bill with details to be worked out in a conference committee made up of members of both chambers.

If passed, the bill would require MnDOT to apply for a $1 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for planning and development of the two intercity passenger rail corridors.

“We are extremely optimistic,” said Brian Nelson, with the rail advocacy group All Aboard Minnesota. “This could be a significant piece of legislation to move passenger rail service forward in Minnesota.” ................(more)

https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/55372502/mn-as-ridership-swells-bill-to-study-expanding-passenger-rail-service-out-of-twin-cities-revived