Amtrak service back in the Summit City?

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) -- - The stimulus plan that President Obama's signed into law includes $9.3 billion entirely devoted to rail transportation, including Amtrak funding and high speed rail projects.

A group in Fort Wayne is hoping some of those dollars can help bring back the city's former passenger rail service.

The last Amtrak train pulled out of the Summit City in November of 1990. More than 15 years later, the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA) is exploring the possibility of getting service back on track.

"We realize that Fort Wayne's lacking that, we need that mode of transportation," says Geoff Paddock, co-founder of NIPRA. "We're hoping there may be funding, and there's certainly a lot of interest."

Tentative plans call for Amtrak Service linking Fort Wayne to Chicago on the west; with service to Columbus or Cleveland to the East.

Many of the details surrounding the new passenger service haven't been worked out, but the group's eyeing the use of the Baker Street Station in downtown Fort Wayne as a hub.

"It's ready to go to work, it's ready to go back to work as a hub for the citizens who want to board and disembark on trains right here in downtown Fort Wayne," explains Paddock.

And the benefits to the city? More jobs and a boost to downtown revitalization. Paddock's maintains the service will also conserve energy and eliminate congestion on area roadways.

But there's an obstacle: other communities will be competing for the federal funds too.

Paddock says that's where having people in the community speak up could help.

He says,"It's important for folks to get in touch with their legislators, send a letter to the governor, get in touch with transportation officials to say we're interested, we'll ride the train if it comes back to Fort Wayne."

Planning is still in the very early stages. There's no telling when the stimulus money will be available, or how long it could take to actually open up passenger rail service here.

The group plans to hold a public hearing to get feedback in the new few weeks.