Guest-Blogger Eliot Keller

Tools

Eliot Keller would like you to think about promoting train travel in the Upper Midwest.

Eliot Keller would like you to think about promoting train travel in the Upper Midwest.

By Eliot Keller

((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 11th 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.))

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KSFY.com. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are moderated and will not appear on this story until after they have been reviewed and deemed appropriate for posting.

KSFY.com and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

Action News Weather


Icon
Sioux Falls 30 °F
Overcast
Wind : From the South at 18 MPH
Humidity : 54 %
Pressure : 30.10" (1021.3 mb)
Aberdeen 30 °F
Pierre 32 °F
More Weather

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video