R.L. Banks & Associates, Inc.

BENEFITS TO MONTANA OF INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

RLBA assessed the state economic benefits of continuing of Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” service for the State of Montana’s Departments of Transportation, Commerce and Agriculture. The analysis highlighted the importance of the “Empire Builder” to Montana and emphasized the economic and social disruption that would occur as a result of service cancellation by quantifying the benefits to the state and considering the alternatives to Amtrak service. The study also quantified the reduced costs to the state which accrue from less auto/highway infrastructure and maintenance. Non-quantifiable benefits to Montana were also analyzed: the absence of reasonable transportation alternatives to the Amtrak “Empire Builder,” the isolated status of most communities served and the non-availability of express package service