Erie Times News writer Tim Hahn’s May 25, 2010 story explains that “All Aboard Erie is looking for more people to climb aboard.”
The local grass-roots organization is on the hunt for more members as it advances its mission of increasing access to convenient and affordable mass transit. The group, known mostly for its push for high-speed rail service through the Erie region, has eight board members.
Invitations have been sent to educational, medical and “social justice” institutions, asking that they send representatives to participate in two upcoming meetings where All Aboard Erie will be legally formed as a nonprofit advocacy group.
The meetings will be held on June 7 and June 21 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hamot Heart Center, 120 E. Second St.
“We are at a point in the growth of All Aboard Erie where we need to formalize our existence,” All Aboard Erie Executive Director Brian Pitzer said Monday. “Up until now, we have been primarily a grass-roots organization that has depended upon the enthusiasm of our members. But as we made progress, and now that the state has gotten actively involved in seeking federal funding for the Lake Erie corridor, we recognize the need for our organization to become more formalized and better prepared to deal with this level of responsibility.”
Gov. Ed Rendell announced Wednesday that the state applied for a $1.6 million federal grant from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program to study the possible expansion of rail service between Cleveland and Buffalo through Erie.
If awarded the federal funding, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would invest $400,000 in state funds to complete the study, according to a news release announcing the grant application.
Tim Hahn’s May 20, 2010 Erie Times New Story outlines PennDOT’S efforts to get funding to study the HSR concept for the Buffalo-Erie-Cleveland corridor along Lake Erie.
The push for high-speed rail service through Erie could take a significant step forward under plans to obtain federal funding to support a study. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Local and Area Transportation is working to put together an application to the Federal Rail Administration for funds to investigate what it would take to create a high-speed rail link between Cleveland and Buffalo, PennDOT District Executive Bill Petit said Wednesday. “Read more.”:PennDOT to seek federal funding for high.pdf
Michael Testerman, RAIL Solution vice-chairman and NARP (National Association of Railway Passengers) Council of Representatives delegate, wrote to AAE:
The Steel Interstate concept takes NARP’s (National Association of Railroad Passengers) Grid and Gateways map and DOD’s (Department of Defense) Strategic Rail Core Network (STRACNET) and seeks to have them refined and promoted as a Higher Speed Rail system that connects with and compliments the FRA (Federal Railway Administration) designated HSR network. The Steel Interstate Coalition website will afford members a way to promote specific segments of the national system, adding synergy and exposure to garner maximum political and business community support. Testerman included a “90-Second PDF”:Steel-Interstate.1.pdf about the Steel Interstate Coalition.
A standing room only audience filled Gannon’s Zurn 101 on April 26th to hear author James McCommons speak about “The Current State and Future of Passenger Rail in America.” Erie Bookstore owner, Kathleen Cantrell sold out of the McCommons’ book “Waiting on a Train – The embattled future of passenger rail service.”
