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What Will Amtrak Cuts Really Cost YOUR State?

October 1, 2020

Amtrak Cuts Are a “$2 Billion Bomb on ‘Flyover Country"

Rail corridors generate value by acting as economic engines in the communities they serve—through jobs, retail, mobility, tourism and real-estate development. The “profit” goes not to Amtrak, but to the communities served, often to the tune of billions of dollars.

Rail Passengers professional staff and volunteers worked together with Transportation for America to research just how much money would be lost to the states along the route of six of Amtrak’s long distance routes. Based on this research, we found these cuts would drop a $2.3 billion bomb on Flyover Country, a figure that could rise above $3 billion if the cuts remain in place for the full year.

As a follow up, Rail Passengers is working to determine to quantify the economic impact of these cuts on a state by state basis to help communicate to governors, mayors, and local elected officials what's at stake.

We need your help! Our members have already delivered almost 15,000 messages to hundreds of Senators and Representatives in our campaign to preserve service. We’re going to need to redouble our efforts to ensure that a passenger rail bailout is part of any final deal. Go to our Save Trains advocacy landing page for more information: railpassengers.org/savetrains

Index:
Updated 10/1

[Don't see YOUR state? Rail Passengers staff is working to expand the list!]

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Mexico

North Carolina

North Dakota

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin



Alabama

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
ALABAMA
Direct Losses $ 2,418,904
Indirect Effects* $ 3,555,789
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 5,974,693
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
ALABAMA
FY2019 Ridership 51,195
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 17,553
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 33,642
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Arizona

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
ARIZONA
Direct Losses $ 6,660,220
Indirect Effects* $ 9,790,524
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 16,450,744
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
ARIZONA
FY2019 Ridership 99,600
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 34,149
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 65,451
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

California

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
CALIFORNIA
Direct Losses $ 210,445,669
Indirect Effects* $ 309,355,134
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 519,800,803
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
CALIFORNIA
FY2019 Ridership 824,473
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 282,676
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 541,797
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Colorado

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
COLORADO
Direct Losses $ 29,410,573
Indirect Effects* $ 43,233,542
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 72,644,114
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
COLORADO
FY2019 Ridership 270,242
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 92,654
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 177,588
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Delaware

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
DELAWARE
Direct Losses $ 672,794
Indirect Effects* $ 989,007
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 1,661,800
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
DELAWARE
FY2019 Ridership 42,332
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 14,514
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 27,818
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Florida

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
FLORIDA
Direct Losses $ 112,730,248
Indirect Effects* $ 165,713,465
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 278,443,713
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
FLORIDA
FY2019 Ridership 905,356
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 310,408
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 594,948
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Georgia

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
GEORGIA
Direct Losses $ 13,889,443
Indirect Effects* $ 20,417,481
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 34,306,923
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
GEORGIA
FY2019 Ridership 141,722
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 48,590
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 93,132
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Idaho

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
IDAHO
Direct Losses $ 155,165
Indirect Effects* $ 228,093
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 383,258
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
IDAHO
FY2019 Ridership 6,726
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 2,306
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 4,420
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Illinois

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
ILLINOIS
Direct Losses $ 163,431,910
Indirect Effects* $ 240,244,907
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 403,676,817
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
ILLINOIS
FY2019 Ridership 1,292,361
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 443,095
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 849,266
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Indiana

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
INDIANA
Direct Losses $ 7,155,578
Indirect Effects* $ 10,518,699
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 17,674,277
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
INDIANA
FY2019 Ridership 88,307
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 30,277
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 58,030
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Iowa

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
IOWA
Direct Losses $ 2,880,721
Indirect Effects* $ 4,234,659
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 7,115,380
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
IOWA
FY2019 Ridership 51,499
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 17,657
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 33,842
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Kansas

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
KANSAS
Direct Losses $ 3,303,087
Indirect Effects* $ 4,855,539
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 8,158,626
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
KANSAS
FY2019 Ridership 46,483
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 15,937
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 30,546
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Louisina

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
LOUISIANA
Direct Losses $ 11,242,324
Indirect Effects* $ 16,526,217
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 27,768,541
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
LOUISIANA
FY2019 Ridership 176,514
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 60,519
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 115,995
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Maryland

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
MARYLAND
Direct Losses $ 6,298,489
Indirect Effects* $ 9,258,779
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 15,557,269
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
MARYLAND
FY2019 Ridership 119,875
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 41,100
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 78,775
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Minnesota

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
MINNESOTA
Direct Losses $ 9,231,198
Indirect Effects* $ 13,569,861
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 22,801,058
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
MINNESOTA
FY2019 Ridership 131,973
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 45,248
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 86,725
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Mississippi

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
MISSISSIPPI
Direct Losses $ 9,794,959
Indirect Effects* $ 14,398,590
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 24,193,548
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
MISSISSIPPI
FY2019 Ridership 123,046
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 42,187
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 80,859
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Missouri

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
MISSOURI
Direct Losses $ 12,562,440
Indirect Effects* $ 18,466,787
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 31,029,227
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
MISSOURI
FY2019 Ridership 183,300
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 62,846
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 120,454
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Montana

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
MONTANA
Direct Losses $ 15,448,709
Indirect Effects* $ 22,709,603
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 38,158,312
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
MONTANA
FY2019 Ridership 121,352
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 41,606
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 79,746
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Nebraska

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
NEBRASKA
Direct Losses $ 3,569,653
Indirect Effects* $ 5,247,390
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 8,817,043
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
NEBRASKA
FY2019 Ridership 49,679
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 17,033
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 32,646
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

New Mexico

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
NEW MEXICO
Direct Losses $ 9,183,181
Indirect Effects* $ 13,499,276
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 22,682,457
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
NEW MEXICO
FY2019 Ridership 116,788
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 40,042
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 76,746
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

North Carolina

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
N. CAROLINA
Direct Losses $ 31,576,014
Indirect Effects* $ 46,416,741
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 77,992,755
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
N. CAROLINA
FY2019 Ridership 243,896
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 83,621
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 160,275
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

North Dakota

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
NORTH DAKOTA
Direct Losses $ 7,600,964
Indirect Effects* $ 11,173,417
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 18,774,381
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
NORTH DAKOTA
FY2019 Ridership 101,100
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 34,663
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 66,437
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Oregon

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
OREGON
Direct Losses $ 17,583,526
Indirect Effects* $ 25,847,783
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 43,431,309
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
OREGON
FY2019 Ridership 276,900
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 94,937
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 181,963
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Pennsylvania

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
PENNSYLVANIA
Direct Losses $ 19,803,256
Indirect Effects* $ 29,110,786
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 48,914,041
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
PENNSYLVANIA
FY2019 Ridership 262,110
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 89,866
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 172,244
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

South Carolina

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
SOUTH CAROLINA
Direct Losses $ 22,291,096
Indirect Effects* $ 32,767,911
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 55,059,008
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
SOUTH CAROLINA
FY2019 Ridership 179,083
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 61,400
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 117,683
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Tennessee

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
TENNESSEE
Direct Losses $ 1,556,827
Indirect Effects* $ 2,288,536
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 3,845,363
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
TENNESSEE
FY2019 Ridership 64,851
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 22,235
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 42,616
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Texas

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
TEXAS
Direct Losses $ 103,819,655
Indirect Effects* $ 152,614,893
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 256,434,548
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
TEXAS
FY2019 Ridership 298,692
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 102,409
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 196,283
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Virginia

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
VIRGINIA
Direct Losses $ 57,561,743
Indirect Effects* $ 84,615,762
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 142,177,506
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
VIRGINIA
FY2019 Ridership 496,646
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 170,279
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 326,367
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Washington

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
WASHINGTON
Direct Losses $ 43,249,461
Indirect Effects* $ 63,576,708
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 106,826,168
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
WASHINGTON
FY2019 Ridership 361,747
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 124,028
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 237,719
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

Wisconsin

ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSSES BY STATE
WISCONSIN
Direct Losses $ 11,542,696
Indirect Effects* $ 16,967,763
TOTAL STATE IMPACT $ 28,510,460
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate
*Indirect effects include community-level effects such as sales taxes, real-estate, local employment and other similar factors
ESTIMATED RIDERSHIP DECLINES (annualized)
WISCONSIN
FY2019 Ridership 95,410
RPA-Modeled 3x Ridership 32,712
ANNUALIZED RIDERSHIP LOSS 62,698
Source: Rail Passengers Association modeling estimate

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