BOISE, Idaho — Consultants hired to look at restoring passenger rail service to southern Idaho and eastern Oregon say Amtrak service would help a region that needs more transportation options.
But their preliminary report says bringing back Amtrak’s Pioneer Route would be costly and would not pay for itself without substantial subsidies.
The Pioneer Route stretched from Denver to Portland. It was discontinued in 1997 because of financial losses.
Idaho Republican Sen. Mike Crapo and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden have both advocated restoring Amtrak service.
Amtrak will accept comment until Oct. 1 on the preliminary study. A final report will be presented by Oct. 15 to Congress.
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