((Brian's Note: With this column, Eliot Keller becomes a 'two time' guest blogger. Eliot is the president and general manager of KZIA Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.))

Next time, take the train?

In you’re like most folks in the KSFY viewing area, you’ve never heard of the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC). And, I’m guessing, you don’t think you need to know or need to care about the MIPRC.

But wait! Would you like to have passenger train travel options in Sioux Falls? I’m guessing you would.

The MIPRC is a ten-state organization which is promoting passenger trains in the Midwest with a hub in Chicago. The MIPRC includes legislators, representative of governors and private sector folks. The states are: North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.

What has this got to do with South Dakota? South Dakota could become the 11^th state to join the MIPRC. The State Senate, State House and Governor need to approve it and fund it for $15,000.00/year.

Kansas is the only other state eligible to join, based on the way the MIPRC was initially formed nearly a decade ago.

If you are looking for more travel choices for the Sioux Falls area, the MIPRC might be one of the things you could ask your elected officials to support.

As we continue to see sky-high prices on gasoline and airline ticket price, travel by passenger train can be very inviting for value and comfort.                                           

You can find more information about the MIPRC at www.miprc.org..

If you want to increase the chances of passenger trains coming to South Dakota, please let Governor Mike Rounds and your state senator and state representative know you support passenger trains and think South Dakota should join the MIPRC.

((Brian's Note: Eliot is heavily involved in trying to make this an idea a reality in Eastern Iowa. It sounds promising, especially after reading Eliot's offering here. Feel free to leave a comment below or send me an e-mail by clicking here.))