South Dakota AMTRAK support in state House resolution

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A resolution in the South Dakota House supports the expansion of Amtrak service to South Dakota.

House Resolution 6008 is “Supporting the effort to bring Amtrak passenger rail service to the state.” The resolution does not seek any state funding to support Amtrak service in South Dakota. It states support a route that would connect Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul by means of a route that would pass through Rapid City, Pierre, and Sioux Falls. It cites the energy efficiency and economic benefit of passenger rail service.

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After years of being left off the Amtrak service list, South Dakota made the latest list from the Federal Railway Administration.

Two proposed routes through South Dakota are included in the FRA report. One possible route includes Minneapolis-St. Paul, Sioux Falls, Omaha and Kansas City, while the other proposed route includes Denver, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Rapid City, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Minneapolis-St. Paul. 

HR6008 is on the House Transportation Committee’s agenda for Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Making the list this year was only the first step, Bilka said in an email in February. “We’ll also continue making the case for more routes, ultimately, to be included for passenger rail,” he said.

If Amtrak came to South Dakota, it would likely be using existing railroad tracks that pass through various towns.

Amtrak said it owns only 3%, or about 623 miles, of the 21,400 route-miles it uses. Most of that 3% is in the northeast corridor.

Amtrak did not travel through South Dakota when it was formed in 1971. The state has been without passenger rail service since the late 1960s.

Since 1971, there has been considerable curiosity and public support for the reintroduction of passenger rail services, the 2022 South Dakota Department of Transportation state rail plan said.