HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-26-19 Public Comment - B. Green (with Rail Passengers) - MT State Legislature Transporation Interim CommitteeFrom:Barry Green
To:Barry Green
Subject:Montana Passenger Rail News
Date:Wednesday, June 26, 2019 12:12:14 PM
Attachments:image002.png
To: Montana Mayors, City Managers, County Commissioners and Others Interested –
The following news item talks about the MT State Legislature Transportation Interim Committee
(2019-2020) that was established during this year’s legislative session. All forms of public
transportation are important to the citizens of Montana and passenger rail is a vital part of the state’s
transportation system particularly across northern Montana. Living in Montana, we cannot take a
commercial flight to a neighboring Montana community. Intercity bus service is intermittent and
only serves a minimum number of communities in Montana. Driving requires long periods of
windshield time on the highway, involves congested city traffic, and is one of our most dangerous
modes of travel. I’m encouraging you to take an active part in this Interim Committee and be an
advocate for improved and connected transportation services. As many of you know, I and others
advocate for improved passenger rail services in the state which is the crux of this message however,
your input can and should involve all forms of public transportation that would benefit your
community and our state.
Sincerely yours,
Barry E. Green
Barry E. Green, RPA Council Rep. (MT) & NW Div. Team Leader
(Also Covering ID and ND RPA Members)
P. O. Box 162
Glendive, MT 59330
(406)-377-8056 (Home)
(406)-939-3059 (Cell)
bgreen@midrivers.com (Email)
(www.railpassengers.org)
From: Rail Passengers Staff <narp@narprail.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 7:41 AM
To: Barry E. Green <bgreen@midrivers.com>
Subject: Montana Passenger Rail News
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MONTANA PASSENGER RAIL ADVOCATES HAVE AN
OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE AND ADVOCATE FOR
IMPROVED PASSENGER RAIL SERVICES
The 2019 Montana State Legislature passed and approved SB 226 establishing a new Transportation
Interim Committee. The first meeting of the 2019-2020 Transportation Interim Committee is scheduled
for July 9, 2019 in Helena at Room 137 in the State Capitol. Committee meeting materials will be posted
on the TIC's webpage.
Transportation Interim Committee page
Information on how to sign up for interim meeting notices – (To Receive Transportation Interim
Committee Notices and Updates)
Montana State Representative Andrea Olsen (D) – HD 100, from Missoula, MT, was the primary sponsor of
House Joint Resolution (HJ 34) that also passed during this year’s legislative session and is “A Joint
Resolution Of The Senate And The House Of Representatives Of The State Of Montana Requesting An
Interim Study Of Ways To Improve Passenger Transportation Service In Montana; And Requiring That
The Final Results Of The Study Be Reported To The 67th Legislature.” -
(https://leg.mt.gov/bills/2019/billpdf/HJ0034.pdf).
Comments from Andrea Olsen and Paul Pacini, RPA Member, from Helena:
A. Olsen – “Anyone can submit information, attend meetings, and help make sure all the issues they think areimportant are addressed.” “The committee will be looking for input on all aspects of the study. Rail PassengersAssociation members, as well as other interested passenger rail advocates, can participate in whatever aspects
they want, but I do believe that inter-connectivity issues are important...for example ....do we have buses going
to all our rail ports --- I don't think so anymore... I imagine once we meet as a committee, the committee will
formulate an official invitation as well. But we don't meet until July 9 so I think it is good to get people informed
and communicating.”
P. Pacini – “This study would be prepared to present to the 2021 Montana Legislature.” “This is a rare
opportunity to direct public attention to the expansion of passenger rail service throughout Montana. It is
important that we seize the opportunity to insure a favorable report to the 2021 Legislature.” “Please consider
writing a message of general support for passenger rail at this time, then keep up with the progress of the study
committee through the Transportation Interim Committee Page. As future opportunities to comment arise in the
study , please do so in writing, by phone, or in person. Feel free to forward this message to others who might
have an interest in expanded passenger rail service in Montana.”
Please take the time to access and read the various web links that provide the information on this state
legislation as well as the intent of HJ 34. Any comments and suggestions that you would like to offerregarding the importance of passenger rail services to the state of Montana, jot them down and sendthem to Andrea Olsen whose contact information is shown below.MT State Representative Andrea Olsen’s contact information:
Andrea Olsen
Representative, HD100
622 Rollins Street
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 543-2666 ---- cell
Andrea.Olsen@mtleg.gov
While there are 7 other state legislators on this interim committee, Andrea is our contact person at this point in
time to receive any and all input concerning passenger rail services in the state along with any comments on
connectivity among all forms of transportation which is one of RPA’s four goals which also includes safety for ourtrains and passengers.This legislation is something that many of us have been waiting a long time for and now we, as passenger railadvocates, need to take this opportunity to offer our remarks on a subject that we feel is important to the citizens
of and visitors to Montana. Now is the time to get involved. Please pass this message on to others you know
that are also interested in seeing passenger rail operations continue and grow in our state.
Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me via whatever means works best for
you.
Barry E. Green, RPA Council Rep. (MT) & NW Div. Team Leader
P. O. Box 162
Glendive, MT 59330
(406)-377-8056 (Home)
(406)-939-3059 (Cell)
bgreen@midrivers.com (Email)
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