Amtrak backs CPKC; Class I supports passenger service expansion

Amtrak and Canadian Pacific yesterday announced an agreement that has the national intercity passenger railroad supporting the proposed combination of CP and Kansas City Southern.

"We welcome CP's commitment to our efforts with states and others to expand Amtrak service and are pleased to have reached an agreement formalizing CP's support of Amtrak expansion in the Midwest and the South,” said Amtrak President Stephen Gardner in a press release.

CP has a “consistent record” as a host of Amtrak trains on CP tracks, Gardner said.

The CP-KCS combination will have “no adverse effects” on intercity passenger-rail service, said CP President and CEO Keith Creel.

“CP is pleased to continue to support Amtrak and its infrastructure projects to provide capacity needed to accommodate additional service." Creel said.

The Class I committed to maintaining its role as a host railroad and to cooperate with Amtrak as it implements its long-term strategic vision for new and expanded intercity rail service, including:
• increased frequency on Amtrak’s Hiawatha service between Chicago and Milwaukee;
• extending Hiawatha service from Milwaukee to St. Paul, Minnesota, to create a second round-trip on the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor; and
• providing passenger service through the Detroit River Tunnel between Michigan and Ontario to Windsor and Toronto, with connections to VIA Rail Canada.

Moreover, the agreement calls for CP to support Amtrak’s efforts to work with the Southern Rail Commission for passenger-rail service on two U.S. routes: establish Amtrak service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and study the potential for Amtrak service between Meridian, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. That aspect of the agreement is subject to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) approval of CP’s application for control of KCS.

Amtrak and CP will file their agreement as part of CP-KCS merger proceeding before the STB.