Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
High-speed rail

New Evidence Refutes Rail Opponents’ Claims in Wisconsin

Republican Governor-Elect Scott Walker’s decision to kill the Milwaukee-to-Madison high speed rail line is based on bad data and old numbers, according to a story in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Walker said in his campaign that Wisconsin can’t afford to pay $7.5 million a year to operate the rail line so he’s promised to kill the project, despite the fact that federal money would cover the $810 million construction costs.

The rail segment in question would connect Chicago to Minneapolis. ##http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2009/11/19/connections-2030-rail-routes-spur-competition-between-la-crosse-eau-claire/##Daily Reporter##
The rail segment in question would connect Chicago to Minneapolis. ##http://dailyreporter.com/blog/2009/11/19/connections-2030-rail-routes-spur-competition-between-la-crosse-eau-claire/##Daily Reporter##

But $7.5 million may be an enormous overestimate of the state’s costs. That number assumes that fares and concessions will bring in only $9 million a year. According to the Journal-Sentinel, the relocation of the Madison station from the airport to downtown has raised ridership estimates by nearly a third. The resulting boost in revenue world cut the state obligation to $4.7 million. (An extra jolt of cash would also come from bistro cars -- instead of snack-cart concessions -- which have been added to the plans since the initial estimate was made.)

On top of all that, the new rail line would operate with newer, more fuel-efficient cars, reducing fuel costs.

The fact that the plans call for state-owned trains, instead of Amtrak rentals, is a double-edged sword. The Journal-Sentinel says “running state-owned trains would insulate Wisconsin from expected increases in Amtrak rental charges,” but “on the other hand, the state would be responsible for maintaining the trains, and the costs of a maintenance contract with [train car manufacturer] Talgo could eat up the savings from ending the rental charges.”

Most significantly, though, federal subsidies could cover 90 percent of the state’s operating costs of this part of the line, as they do on the Milwaukee-to-Chicago segment. There’s been speculation around this for months, and the Journal-Sentinel clears it up:

That's not extra aid for the train, the [Fiscal Bureau report to state Rep. Jon Richards] says. It's a piece of federal aid that already goes to the state.

In some past years, the state covered Hiawatha operating costs with money designated to reduce southeastern Wisconsin traffic congestion and air pollution, said Fred Ammerman, a supervisor in the bureau. In recent years, however, the state has been using part of its highway aid, with federal permission, Ammerman said.

That federal money usually has covered 80 percent of costs, rising to 90 percent in years when the train helps travelers avoid freeway construction zones, the report says.

Will this new information turn Scott Walker into a high speed rail advocate? Not likely. But it could strengthen the position of those still fighting to keep the rail project alive.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Tuesday’s Headlines Pay High Prices for Highway Repairs

If the U.S. didn't spend so much money on repaving roads, there might be more left over for other things, like transit.

October 28, 2025

Op-Ed: The Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific Merger Is Wrong for Rail

This advocacy organization argues it's time to reject Wall Street's massive power grab and re-nationalize America's rails — before it's too late.

October 28, 2025

Crunching Numbers to Curb Crashes: Using Federal Data to Make Our Roads Safer

Upholding federal data transparency is key to understanding and reversing the alarming level of crashes, fatalities, and strained infrastructure. Here's where we have more work to do.

October 28, 2025

Ugly Truth: Federal ICE Raid Push Aside Local Cops, Safety and Free Speech

President Trump's heavily armed and masked immigration troops are turning American cities into battlegrounds — and eliminating accountability and free speech in the public realm.

October 27, 2025

Monday’s Headlines Dust Off Duffy

The transportation secretary has been busy beefing with California, SEPTA and Elon Musk.

October 27, 2025

This Bill Would Help America Build More Housing Near Transit

A bipartisan group is pushing a policy to incentivize transit-oriented development across the country.

October 27, 2025
See all posts